It might be their Irish heritage, but Celtic supporters are really good at telling stories.
This week’s fairytale beings at Tannadice Park, where the tale tells of a Parkhead side, which have been unbeaten in 16-years of the Scottish Premier League on Dundee United’s home soil.
Well, this bedtime story reads more like a Chick Young exclusive, with more fantasy that fact.
Ok, perhaps I’m being a little unfair on Celtic supporters by accusing them of story telling, because it’s more likely to be the media who are responsible for publishing this piece of football fiction.
It’s probably an attempt by the West Coast media to pile pressure onto Dundee United, ahead of the most important match of Gordon Strachan’s Parkhead career.
The truth… Celtic HAVE been quite successful (or should that be ‘lucky’) at Tannadice in recent years, but their unbeaten run has only stretched to 8-years, with several draws during that period.
The last time Dundee United managed to hold on to a lead, without succumbing to a late Celtic comeback, was on the 15th of August 1999 when Paul Sturrock lead the club to a 2-1 victory.
On that occasion, Craig Easton and Billy Dodds had given United a 2-0 lead in the 1st half, but an 82nd minute Eyal Berkovic strike resulted in a nervous end to the match.
Although, my fondest memories of a Dundee United victory over Celtic are from the SPL match on the 1st Feb 1997.
The late Tommy Burns was manager of Celtic that afternoon, but it was Tommy McLean’s side which had dominated most of the match.
Then, with the score still tied at 0-0, United won a throw-in deep into stoppage time and a quick throw found Gary McSwegan unmarked at the edge of the penalty box.
McSwegan burst into the area and tried to find the back of Stewart Kerr’s net, but the ball deflected off the outstretched leg of a Celtic defender, desperately diving in to block the shot.
The United supporters in the East Stand held their breathes, as the ball sailed through the air in slow motion, looping over the keepers head and sealing all 3 points for the home team.
It was a fantastic feeling, beating Celtic in the late stages of a game, after all the time’s the Glasgow side have snatched an underserved 2-1 victory with 2 goals in the 87th and 89th minutes.
This time, Celtic are desperate for a win at Tannadice, because they know that 3 points could seal the League title, even if challengers Rangers can beat Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Rangers and Celtic are currently level on points, but Gordon Strachan’s side still have a 4 goal advantage over Walter Smith’s treble chasing side, after they closed the gap with a 3-0 win over StMirren on Monday night.
Although, even after the controversy at Ibrox last weekend, Celtic still can’t expect a bitter United side to just roll-over and gift them the League title, as the expense of Rangers.
Rangers won 3-1 at Ibrox last Saturday, but referee Mike McCurry bottled out of awarding United a stonewall penalty, chalked off a David Weir own goal, and then failed to send of Daniel Cousin for clearly head-butting Lee Wilkie.
Dundee United are still determined to make referees more accountable, after McCurry’s actions potentially cost the club millions of pounds, by preventing Craig Levein’s side from winning a UEFA Cup spot for next season.
With nothing to play for, now that 3rd place is out of United’s grasp, there is a chance that some of the younger players might get a chance against Celtic, but you just get the feeling that Craig Levein has a point to prove against one of the Old Firm sides on Thursday evening.
Predictions:
Celtic to lift the title, with United sealing 4th spot in the SPL.
Dundee United 2-2 Celtic
Aberdeen 1-1 Rangers
Hibernian 0-2 Motherwell
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lets get one thing straight it was the people on the radio clyde phone in panel who made the stupid statement about the 16 year unbeaten run could not believe it myself when i heard them prattling on you would think in this day & age that journalist would check things out before writing or making statements dont think its much to ask.By the way your team has been a breath of fresh air this season you should be proud of there performances cheers
Good article. I actually think your predictions could well happen i.e. two draws on Thursday. There’s been talk of United rolling over but they won’t – in fact, the best thing they could do to dispell that theory is go out there and gub Celtic (they are capable) to get it right up the media and the SFA. Obviously we’d then want Rangers to blow it at Pittodrie also to maximise the chances of Queen Of The South winning the cup!
Now you have shown this unbelievable exaggeration of a statistic up you must now feel proud of the record. Great article. 🙂
sorry about that twisted ,, biased ,, west of Scotland meedja ,, mis – interpretation of the facts here boys and you are well within your rights to point out that it has in fact only been Eight years since the Arabs have defeated Celtic on their home soil ,, but hey ! one more match wont break your hearts would it ,, we will let you win one next year Honest !!!
The last time we won the league at Tannadice, Tommy scored the winner! I’m sorry AJ mate but some things are just destiny. We’ve just got to win this one for Tommy. It would be a fitting tribute to a great man, one which he thoroughly deserve and one which he would thoroughly enjoy. For that reason alone it will be the sweetest championship if we do. God Bless Tommy.
Destiny and omens mean nothing R.K but time will tell! come on UTD we will give use the CIS cup if use do it!
what ?!?! the same one you stole from them in the first place you mean ? Don’t think so willboy !!!!
To be fair wishi tit we won the game fair and square just because we didn?t play well doesn?t mean we stole it but seeing how you are probably a professional robber and thieve for a living I will take your word for it! BTW I was talking to a selik man today who lives in Bathgate next to David Robertson and apparently utd wont be trying as they will get McCurry and all the other HUN ****s back for the year! so what is the point! typical tims with common decency and integrity!
same old willboy same old crap >>>>>>>>>>> well boys ,, I,d just like to say that although you lost the game you gave a very good account of yourselves and all bodes well for next season ,, looking forward to the challenge ,, and I,ll offer my thoughts and prayers for your good chairman Eddie Thomson ,, he is a good man and deserves nothing of his illness ,,, God Bless ……
Yasssssss 3 in a row Willy GIRFUY 😀