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.
Shunsuke Nakamura in action for Celtic
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.
Shaun Maloney (left) fires a shot which was diverted home by Chris Sutton to put Celtic 2-1 up.
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…
Click on the image above to order your signed copy – both Matt Corr and John Hartson will sign your book!
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.
