Celtic 2-0 Dundee United – Sweet sixteen on a freezing but entertaining night at Paradise

A pleasing performance in sub-zero temperatures as Celts plummet temperatures to minus 16…

Daizen Maeda
Daizen Maeda of Celtic celebrates scoring the first goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on January 08, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

It was a cold night in Paradise as supporters who braved the freezing temperatures were treated to a decent display of football as they witnessed the Champions increase their lead at the top to a staggering 16 points, for 24 hours at least.

Daizen Maeda scored 

The first half was very pleasing on the eye as the players dominated a decent Dundee United side by playing at a great tempo and attacked at every opportunity, and got their just rewards with a goal courtesy of Daizen Maeda in the 23rd minute.

The only negative was that we only took a one goal lead into the break despite our sheer dominance, as our efforts deserved so much more.

The second half wasn’t as entertaining as the first from our own point of view as United imposed themselves in the game and created a few nervy moments, but all in all our defence remained solid, particularly Cameron Carter-Vickers who was as colossus as usual.

Reo Hatate
Reo Hatate of Celtic celebrates scoring the second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on January 08, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The nerves in the stands evaporated in the 83rd minute as Reo Hatate scored a fine goal after a terrific Luis Palma cross caused havoc in the United box, and a lovely dummy by Paulo Bernardo allowed the Japanese midfielder to fire the ball into the net to clinch all three points.

Adam Idah continues to struggle

The pluses aside the three points were the performances of CCV, Greg Taylor, and Arne Engels who was magnificent once again. On the down side was the performance of Adam Idah who once again looked jaded as he struggles to live up to his £9.5 million price tag.

Callum McGregor
Callum McGregor of Celtic acknowledges the fans following the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on January 08, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The entertaining retro songbook

The crowd were brilliant too, the Green Brigade and Celtic Bhoys retro song book was used to brilliantly make a respective point to Brendan after his own wee petulant outburst at the weekend and the wider support responded to the manager’s complaints about moaning and groaning about backward passes.

The players played their own ‘peace keeping’ role by resisting the temptation to give Big Kasper a touch and the Great Dane could have queued for a pie and bovril, bought a Paradise windfall ticket and got back out onto the pitch and would not have been missed or needed inside the first twenty minutes.

All in all we can’t really have any complaints as we departed a chilly Paradise for the warm comforts of home, knowing that we sent temperatures in Govan plunging to minus 16.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Kasper Schmeichel
Kasper Schmeichel acknowledges the fans following the Scottishl Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on January 08, 2025 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

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About Author

An ordinary everyday Celtic supporters hailing and still residing in Govan in the shadows of the enemy. I’m a season ticket holder. I Witnessed my first Celtic game in 1988 and have attended when I can ever since. Growing up in the 90s I witnessed Celtic at their lowest, and now appreciate the historic success we enjoy today. I enjoy writing about this wonderful football club and hopefully will continue to do so. I’ve always been a keen writer and initially started this a hobby. My ambition is to one day become as good an author as my fellow Celtic Star colleagues.

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