Celtic 2-0 Dundee United: Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate strike to ship Hoops 16 factors clear in Scottish Premiership

Celtic scored in both half to beat a cussed Dundee United aspect and transfer 16 factors clear on the high of the Scottish Premiership.

Brendan Rodgers was eager to keep away from a repeat of their goalless draw at Tannadice 17 days in the past and caught with the identical beginning XI that eased to victory towards St Mirren three days in the past, with Hyun-jun Yang drafted in for Nicolas Kuhn simply earlier than kick-off.

They dominated from the beginning and Daizen Maeda fired within the opener on the rebound to heat the followers up on a freezing night time at Parkhead.

The guests, who had late probabilities, have been nicely organised and annoyed the Hoops however Hatate got here off the bench to fireside into the roof of the web and safe one other residence win.

Celtic are unbeaten at residence this season whereas Dundee United stay third.

Hoops pushed all the best way by United

Rodgers had known as for some followers to be extra affected person after detecting groans at backward passes throughout his aspect’s 3-0 win over St Mirren.

He had additionally accused supporters within the standing part of being disrespectful to left-back Greg Taylor by singing the identify of switch goal Kieran Tierney.

The followers responded by reprising songs for a full staff of different former gamers and supervisor Martin O’Neill.

Songs about Artur Boruc, Mikael Lustig, Billy McNeil, Charlie Mulgrew, Tommy Burns, Victor Wanyama, Jimmy Johnstone, Scott Sinclair, Jota, Odsonne Edouard and Henrik Larsson all obtained an airing.

The followers rounded off their again catalogue with a stoppage-time burst of their music about Tierney, who’s believed to be near agreeing a pre-contract deal to return to Parkhead.

Jim Goodwin acquired little attacking power from his gamers in an totally one-sided first half, however the guests put in a significant defensive shift in a forty five minutes which resembled an assault vs defence coaching session.

The United boss would have been annoyed with the character of the opener after his aspect appeared to have cleared Alistair Johnston’s cross.

The ball fell for Luke McCowan simply contained in the field after Richard Odada fired a shin-height go off Vicko Sevelj ,and the previous Dundee midfielder’s shot broke for Maeda to fit residence after being parried by Jack Walton.

Auston Trusty had earlier headed off the highest of the bar following considered one of 10 first-half corners from Arne Engels. The Belgium midfielder was Celtic’s most threatening participant, additionally firing some teasing balls throughout the face of aim and coming shut himself on a number of events.

United ended the half and not using a shot, a nook or a cross – Celtic had 27 – with just one contact within the residence penalty space and 16 per cent possession.

There was a swift enchancment after the break though Kai Fotheringham and Glenn Middleton have been nicely astray from their first sights of aim.

Celtic had probabilities to kill the sport off sooner than they did. Maeda turned Taylor’s pushed cross extensive and United goalkeeper Jack Walton parried substitute Kyogo Furuhashi’s header from one other Engels nook.

Kasper Schmeichel managed his first save within the seventieth minute, turning Middleton’s highly effective strike previous his close to publish and shortly caught Fotheringham’s header.

The sport remained within the steadiness till Hatate swept the ball into the highest nook after fellow sub Paulo Bernardo had dummied Maeda’s lay-off.

Rodgers delighted with win as he waits on Kuhn prognosis

Celtic supervisor Brendan Rodgers talking to Sky Sports activities Information:

“A good win for us. I thought we maybe dominated the game.

“Within the first half, we had alternatives to attain extra objectives after which going into the second half we did not fairly get the second aim.So, it’s a must to then undergo somewhat spell the place the direct balls and lengthy throw-ins, it’s a must to take care of.

“There was a little bit of pressure there but I thought the players dealt with that really well and came through that.

“Then we get the second aim and that eases any nerves that may be within the recreation. We completely deserved it, labored very arduous and acquired a reward for that.

“I thought the atmosphere was great, whatever the temperature was, it was very, very cold, but they turned out in their numbers, Celtic fans.

“They’re superb they usually give the staff that help and encouragement when it was wanted and that helps us get the outcome.”

On Nicolas Kuhn’s absence he added: “He simply felt one thing within the warm-up so sadly he needed to come out.

“He didn’t feel he was fit to play on so we’ll assess that tomorrow and see where it’s at.”

Goodwin: A extremely robust ask

Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin talking to Sky Sports activities Information:

“We knew tonight was always going to be difficult given the volume of games that we’ve had in recent weeks.

“Tonight is definitely our sixth league recreation within the house of 17 days so a extremely robust ask for the gamers to come back right here contemporary. In the perfect of occasions it is troublesome sufficient, however to come back right here two days after the Hearts recreation with little or no restoration, it was at all times going to be troublesome.

“The players gave everything, but just unfortunately we just didn’t do enough.

“We acquired alternatives to place the ball into the field with some deep free-kicks and a few lengthy throws and received a few corners as nicely however, sadly, nothing actually fell too kindly to us in and across the field.”

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