Dundee Utd v Celtic

Celtic’s visit to Tannadice came at an awkward moment for the squad, with rotation required, new signings needing minutes, injuries affecting selection, players expected to leave, and a Champions League play‑off looming midweek. Even so, the improved pitch — a world away from the sand‑like surface of our last defeat here — at least allowed Celtic to play on proper grass.

The game itself was uneven. A much‑changed Celtic side rode its luck early, with Dundee Utd striking the woodwork twice at 0–0 and causing real problems. Celtic weren’t creating much, but a flicked Trusty header from a corner gave us the lead, and Duran soon added his first competitive goal for the club with a clever finish. Høgh continued to get into good areas and looks every inch a striker whose goals will come in volume once he settles.

Tounekti offered nothing for long spells, and it was hard to see any future for him at Celtic based on that. Yet football has its own sense of irony: he ended up scoring Celtic’s third just as Utd hit the woodwork for the third time, and moments later they struck it again — their fourth — with the keeper stranded.

As the hour mark approached, Baur replaced Oxlade‑Chamberlain and immediately brought forward intent. His first meaningful involvement was a neat back‑heel that released Tounekti, who then played in Nygren to curl a fine effort into the net for 4–0. Tounekti, from offering nothing, suddenly had a goal and an assist. Hassan also got minutes as the game settled.

The match fizzled out from there. Celtic progressed thanks to superior finishing, while Dundee Utd somehow hit the woodwork five times, a level of misfortune that kept the scoreline from reflecting how often they threatened.