Celtic dominant in Paradise win over Dundee United | OneFootball

Scottish PremiershipWednesday, January 8, 2025Celtic Park, Glasgow

CELTIC…2(Maeda 22, Hatate 83)

DUNDEE UNITED… 0

Celtic moved 16 points clear at the top of the Premiership table after a 2-0 home win over Dundee United.

Goals from Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate gave the Hoops the win, on a night when Brendan Rodgers’ side produced another dominant performance at Paradise.

Celtic were on the front foot from the first whistle, and that remained the pattern for the entire 45 minutes, with Brendan Rodgers’ side enjoying over 83% possession.

Arne Engels was showing great attacking intent, either getting into spaces in attacking areas to creat chances for his team-mates, or trying to test the Dundee United keeper himself.

On 13 minutes, Celtic came close to the opening goal and it was Auston Trusty who almost made it two goals in two games, but his header from an Engels corner crashed off the bar.

Engels was at the heart of many of Celtic’s attacks, and he was at the end of a good move involving Greg Taylor and Adam Idah, but his shot went over the bar.

Celtic eventually go the goal their attacking efforts deserved in the 22nd minute through Daizen Maeda.

Luke McCowan managed to curl a left-foot shot goalwards, which was pushed away by the United keeper, but the ball fell into the path of Daizen Maeda who fired home for his 15th goal of the season.

Engels continued to look dangerous around the edge of the United area, while Trusty also had a shot from outside the box which was blocked.

The second-half saw Celtic continue to dominate possession, although the visitors showed more attacking intent without troubling Kasper Schmeichel.

Again, it was Arne Engels who had two early chances for Celtic but a compact Dundee United side had plenty of bodies behind the ball.

On 53 minutes, United had their first effort, but Kai Fotheringham’s shot was blocked.

Kyogo, who came on as a substitute, almost doubled Celtic’s lead, meeting an Engels corner at the near post, but his header was well-saved by the United keeper.

Dundee United tried to push forward in search of an equaliser, but it was Celtic who grabbed the second goal of the game on 83 minutes.

A ball from the left found Daizen Maeda inside the right side of the area. He rolled the ball across the box and it was perfectly dummied by Paulo Bernardo for the onrushing Reo Hatate, who fired home an unstoppable shot.

Hatate, Paulo Bernardo and Luis Palma all had further efforts before the final whistle, but Celtic could not further extend their lead.

However, it was another three points for Brendan Rodgers’ side, with another strong performance, and the 2-0 win gives Celtic a 16-point lead at the top of the Premiership table.