A good first half performance was cancelled out by a poor display by the Champions in the second half. Dundee United's tactics seemed to be defend to the maximum, and the Tangerines didn't look like scoring once in the game.
Celtic lined up with a familiar back three of Balde, Valgaeren and Mjallby, with Paul Lambert, Jamie Smith, Stan Petrov, Chris Sutton and Didier Agathe occupying the midfield area. Henrik Larsson and Big Bad John Hartson started upfront. Johan Mjallby was forced to be substituted after 29minutes, and was replaced by Jackie McNamara.
A shocking tackle by ex-hun Gary Bollan on Henrik Larsson at the start of the game suggested that Dundee Utd were here to frustrate Celtic, but the Bhoys failed to take the bait and were soon 2-0 up.
Celtic's first goal came from a superb right footed cross by youngster Jamie Smith from the left hand side, which was met by Hartson, who powered a header past United keeper Gallacher to make it 1-0.
It was all Celtic through the first half, and it was only a matter of time before a second was added. Some great one touch soccer by the Hoops was finished off by The King of Kings.
In the second period, Celtic looked uninterested and lazy, running down the clock with none real clear cut chances.
It is on nights like this that Didier Agathe should involve himself more on the right hand side. It certainly does not help when most of the crowd are getting on his back - give the guy some encouragement! If he done half the work going forward as he did defending he would be a great attacker.
Martin O'Neill sounded happy in his post-match interview, claiming that Mjallby had just pulled a muscle while stretching for the ball.
All in all 3 points were all that mattered, putting the pressure on the mankies, who remain 3 points clear at the top. The simple fact is that if Celtic keep win all of our forthcoming games, we will win the league. We do not have to worry about our bigoted neighbours across the city.
Celtic:
Hedman - 7
Mjallby - 6 (McNamara 29) - 6
Valgaeren - 8
Balde - 6
Lambert - 7
Petrov - 5
Smith - 8
Agathe - 6
Sutton - 7
Larsson - 7
Hartson - 7 (Crainey 82) - 6
Celtic-Mad Man of the Match - For the second game in a row, JAMIE SMITH wins Man of the Match. He continues to improve on the left hand side and his cross for Hartson's goal was superb.