FIRST PAST THE POST

Ange delivers the title in his first season in charge

BY ANTHONY BROWN

CELTIC regained the cinch Premiership title with a game to spare despite being held to by Dundee United.

A big Hoops support descended on Tayside knowing anything other than defeat would see their team crowned champions for a 10th time in 11 seasons after Rangers interrupted their run of dominance last term.

Celtic looked set to get over the line in victorious fashion when Giorgos Giakoumakis opened the scoring with his 15th goal of the campaign after the break but Dylan Levitt hit back.

In the end, it was a result that suited both as Ange Postecoglou savoured confirmation of title glory in his first season in charge of the Parkhead side, while United sealed their place in the Europa Conference League qualifiers.

Celtic had the first opportunity after three minutes but Anthony

Ralston fired an angled shot over. United’s first attempt came four minutes before the break when Archie Meekison shot over.

Celtic made the breakthrough in the 52nd minute when Giakoumakis powered home a closerange header after being picked out by an excellent Ralston cross.

United thought they had equalised five minutes later when Nicky Clark followed up to force the ball home after teenager Rory Macleod had hit the inside of the post from 20 yards out but the linesman’s flag went up.

They went close again in the 62nd minute when substitute Tony Watt headed against the post and Ilmari Niskanen bundled the rebound wide of the target.

Celtic almost doubled their lead five minutes later but United goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist got down to make a sensational save to stop Jota’s powerful strike.

And United levelled in the 72nd minute when Levitt fired a stunning strike past Joe Hart from the edge of the box.