Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin has given his verdict following his side’s 4-0 defeat to Celtic yesterday afternoon as Celtic ultras tell Michael Nicholson to own his failures and resign…
Daizen Maeda of Celtic celebrates with team mates after scoring past Dundee United goalkeeper David Richards to give Celtic a 4-0 lead. Celtic v Dundee United, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 10 January 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock
Strikes from Yang, Arne Engels, Benjamin Nygren and Daizen Maeda capped a convincing afternoon for Martin O’Neill as he marked a memorable return to the Celtic Park touchline.
The result lifted Celtic back ahead of theRangers and to within three points of table-toppers Hearts, who are both in action today, while also drawing a line under the disastrous 33-day spell under the hapless Wilfried Nancy, who was Michael Nicholson’s first choice pick to replace elite level manager Brendan Rodgers.
Those Celtic supporters who didn’t reckon Rodgers was an elite level manager got a 33-day lesson in what a coach NOT at that level really looks like. Yesterday the Celtic ultras, a mixture of Bhoys Celtic and Green Brigade had this message shown below for the Celtic CEO relating to his appointment of Wilfried Nancy.
Images of Celtic Park on Saturday 10 January 2026. Celtic 4 Dundee Utd 0. Photo The Celtic Star
For Dundee United, it’s back-to-back defeats and remain seventh in the Premiership on 25 points after 22 matches played.
Tangerines boss Goodwin gave his thoughts after a disappointing day at Celtic Park: “We always knew today’s fixture was going to be difficult,” he said via The Herald.
“We know the quality Celtic have got but obviously the change in management has given the players and home supporters a real lift because the atmosphere in here was a lot better than what it was a week prior.”
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin and Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill at full time during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on January 10, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Goodwin added: “They’re playing a formation and a system that the players are familiar with, and one that suits the squad they’ve got. When you come here you know you’re going to be starved of possession at times and you have to really show a bit of resilience in and around your penalty area and I think today there’s lots of areas within the goals we’ve conceded we could’ve done a lot better. When you give Celtic a two goal advantage it becomes a mountain to climb.”
“When you come here you have to do the basics well defensively, at times you need your goalkeeper to make saves and when you get half chances you’ve got to be clinical and take them, we couldn’t do that today.”
🟢 Celtic produced a dominant performance to beat Dundee Utd 4-0, as Martin O'Neill returned to the dugout again ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/8pIY1SQ3lN
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) January 10, 2026
Reflecting Julian Araujo’s tackle on Will Ferry in the first half which resulted in a yellow card for the Mexican, Goodwin commented: “I thought the Celtic defender was a little bit out of control.”
“Will Ferry took a real sore one, VAR seemed to skim over it pretty quickly so if they’re satisfied with it then it’s fine.”
🗣️ “Coming to Celtic Park at the best of times is never easy”
🗣️ “The goals, all four of them, are very avoidable”
🗣️ “We have to move on now”Jim Goodwin reflects on Dundee United’s loss away to Celtic ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/xRYadhy7R5
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) January 10, 2026
Conor Spence
Read Julian Araujo’s post-match thoughts on the next page…
“You are representing Celtic, so you need to stay to the highest standard,” Julian Araujo
Julian Araujo has conceded that his introduction to life at Celtic has been anything but straightforward, describing the past week as an intense experience for a new arrival…
Martin O Neill with Julian Araujo. Celtic v Dundee United, Scottish Premiership, Football, Celtic Park, 10 January 2026. Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
Despite the upheaval, the defender says he is encouraged by how things are shaping up after being handed his first start in the win over Dundee United.
The Bournemouth loanee completed 60 minutes in Saturday’s commanding 4-0 victory, using the outing to sharpen his match fitness and regain rhythm following limited game time earlier in the season.
Defeat to theRangers, Nancy sacked and a third spell for Martin O’Neill
Few players would expect such a turbulent welcome. Araujo was first thrown into action off the bench during an unsatisfactory defeat to theRangers last weekend, before joining team-mates in facing frustrated supporters outside the ground.
Matters then shifted again when Wilfried Nancy who sanctioned his move was sacked last Monday, paving the way for Martin O’Neill to take charge.
Speaking to the mainstream media in a post-match media conference at Celtic Park after the 4-0 win over Dundee United, Araujo said: “Before I came, I was watching all the games. You just have to be ready to adjust, whether it’s a formation or a new gaffer.
“All the staff and the players have welcomed me well and helped me turn round a crazy situation. You’re going day by day. I’m happy to be able to adjust quickly because now we have to turn around for Wednesday.
“Whoever it is, I need to keep my feet on the ground and stay humble. Whether it’s me or someone else playing in my position, then it’s competition – they’re here to make me better, and I’m here to make them better. I’m happy I got the start, and hopefully we can keep going forward.
“I’m very happy. The intensity was high, and the fans helped us. It brings me back to when I played in Las Palmas, they are asking me to play inside a bit, play outside and play to my winger very quickly. You are representing Celtic, so you need to stay to the highest standard.”
Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill in dugout with Celtic interim assistant manager Shaun Maloney and Celtic assistant coach Gavin Strachan. Celtic v Dundee United, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 10 January 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock
Araujo has also quickly found a sense of recognition in working under O’Neill, even after only a short time together. He noted similarities between the Celtic interim boss and Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre, suggesting their approach and presence carry comparable traits.
The defender said: “I think he’s very similar to what my national team manager is like. He’s very simple with the basics. But everybody knows their role, and he gives you that confidence; he puts you under a lot of pressure because he knows what your capabilities are.”
“The players know him more than I do, but from what I’ve seen and what I know, he’s a good man and a good gaffer.”
Julian Araujo of Celtic arrives at Celtic Park. Celtic v theRangers, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 03 January 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock
“It was just him letting me play, giving me the confidence to do what I do. They brought me here for a reason; they know what I am capable of. There are little things I can build on. We’ll watch the game over with the analysis and see what more they want from me.”
Watch Julian Araujo post-match media conference below…
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