We’re on the top of the League, looking down…
The Celtic supporters were singing again at Tannadice the following Sunday, 30 October 2005, as Gordon Strachan’s side claimed top spot in the League. Hearts’ long unbeaten run had finally ended 24 hours earlier, just where they would most have wished it not to, with a 2-0 defeat by Hibernian at Easter Road, meaning that Celtic could leapfrog them on goal difference with a win in Dundee, and Rangers continued to throw away points with a 2-2 home draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Celtic lined up as follows.
Artur Boruc: Paul Telfer, Bobo Balde, Stephen McManus & Mo Camara:
Shunsuke Nakamura, Stan Petrov, Neil Lennon & Shaun Maloney:
Chris Sutton & John Hartson.
It didn’t start well for the Hoops, and Chris Sutton in particular, his near-post header from Barry Robson’s corner flashing past Artur Boruc to give Dundee United the lead within four minutes. The big Englishman would make amends for that error though, and how.
First, for the second successive match his clever dummy led to a Celtic goal, the restored John Hartson – in for Craig Beattie – finishing clinically for 1-1.
Next, Sutton instinctively stuck out a boot as Shaun Maloney’s low shot came into the box, the change of direction wrong-footing Derek Stillie in the United goal to put Celts ahead.
Back came the home side to equalise within two minutes, Collin Samuel turning smartly on Mark Wilson’s pass to beat Boruc at the post.
An incredible five minutes of play continued as Sutton put pressure on the United defence at a corner, Alan Archibald getting the final touch to become the latest member of the Tannadice Own Goal club.
It was no surprise that things calmed down significantly after that, the game’s sixth and final goal coming in the 88th minute, substitute Stephen Pearson winning the race at the far post to meet Stan Petrov’s tantalising low cross, 4-2 enough to seal top spot for the Bhoys.
It would prove to be another pivotal weekend in the race for the flag, as Gordon Strachan’s men finally got their noses in front.
Hail Hail,
Matt Corr
A short extract from Majic, Stan and The King of Japan, recently published by Celtic Star Books. Order your hardback copy signed by Celtic legend John Hartson and the author Matt Corr HERE or by clicking on the image below the match highlights. The book is also available on Amazon Kindle with all colour sections included, link at bottom.
Click on the image below to get a copy signed by John Hartson and Matt Corr…
Order your signed and personalised copies signed by both the author and also John Hartson HERE. Please note that the book is now also available via Amazon Kindle from the link below…
Read the Majic, Stan and the King of Japan Book Review by Celtic book collector Peter Marshall HERE.
When you wear a Celtic shirt there is pressure but konw way you should be under pressurr from your own supporters our supporters need to remeber what ut was like befire fergus built a stadium that has the best viewing and atmosphere said by most top players in europe and our supporters take credit for that but to turn on your own aint right does’nt help team club supporters and the player its a form of bullying it can get intense but remeber we are all Celtic your living the great time for Celtic F.C 1888 and embrace it hopefully we keep it going with the barriers that have been put in front of us by football cheifs who dont want us but cant go on wuthout us iur game yesterday should have been put back for sky live game today that is the game most sky subsrubers pay monthly if it was a ppv i doubt anyone would pay for todays game atkilmarnocks plastic pitch is ut cayse It would have giving Celtic a extra day to revover from wedensday we need answer from sky its a viewing public that deserves the best game Celtic have away games like rangers should be shown on sky eve thats the audeince as i said give what the majority want not support the individaul sad by sky and we need a reply why they pick a game played on a pitch that the ball bounce like a rughby ball its a bad advert for future sponsers half full stadium that another thing spl are at fault allowing home club refusing away fans tickets when there are thousands of seats avaliable tynecastle last time Celtic were there it dosent boade well for a league despratelay in need if sponsirs
and thats how we need to queastion today match where viewing figures will be ten of thousands lower so sky sponsirs adverts will be asking the same and so the should you have let them and your subscribers diwn by refusing to show every Celtic away game might be our song book if so say it but dont tell us its the best game to show live this week we(Celtic F.C)are the champions