Tangerines made to pay for lapses

CELTIC 4 DUNDEE UNITED 0

The Tangerines slipped to defeat at Cappielow yesterday, losing goals early in both halves and another shortly before the end.

After a strong start, the Hoops took the lead on eight minutes when Michael Johnston knocked in Ewen Henderson’s cross.

Two minutes later only a great save by Josh Donaldson prevented Johnston scoring again after a mazy run.

Midway through the half, United were denied a leveller when keeper Ross Doohan palmed a low Logan Chalmers drive past the post.

And Doohan again came to the home side’s rescue a couple of minutes later, tipping Idris Kadded’s raking shot over the bar. From the resultant corner, an Allassam Jones effort slipped inches past the far post.

But within three minutes of the restart United’s task became an uphill one as Celtic struck twice, PJ Crossan notching them both after slack defending.

On the hour mark, the visitors were desperately unlucky not to pull one back when Kadded’s sidefooted effort was cleared off the line by Lewis Bell.

A minute from the end Thomas McCaffrey added the fourth with a shot off the underside of the bar.

Dundee United: Donaldson, Zata, Ritchie, Inglis, Bollan, Davidson, Glass, Jones (Mcmeekin 80), Kadded, Appere (Rodgers 80), Chalmers. Sub not used: Taylor.