The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Brave United’s tactics more than merited their Parkhead point
Dundee United have not found Celtic Park to be a happy hunting ground over the last three decades.
It’s 46 games since they last won on the road in Glasgow – thanks to a Duncan Ferguson winner on Boxing Day way back in 1992.
But credit where it’s due, United were outstanding – to a man – as they picked up their first point away to the Glasgow giants in eight years on Sunday.
The watchword for a Tam Courts and United this season will be ‘brave’.
It was a brave appointment by the club to promote Courts from the youth academy to take over from Micky Mellon in the summer.
Courts is celebrating 100 days in charge and is proving he is willing to make bold decisions.
Last week, Courts made Kerr Smith the youngest United player to ever start a Dundee derby.
On Sunday, he pitched the 16-year-old defender in again to replace Charlie Mulgrew in the heat of the Celtic Park cauldron.
He is sticking with his 4-3-3 formation that has served his side well so far.
He also forced a high-pressing game on Celtic and United’s ambition and bravery on the ball forced several mistakes out of a shaky home defence.
The team from Tannadice more than merited a point.
Peter Pawlett baby has become a man
Peter Pawlett shot to fame as Aberdeen fans altered the words of the Human League classic “Don’t You Want Me Baby?” to “Peter Pawlett Baby”.
It’s a song that has followed Pawlett around in his career – and he makes light of it in his United scoring GIF with a baby-faced pose.
At 30, Pawlett is playing at the peak of his career and making a real impact at United. He scored the winner at St Johnstone and was voted sponsor’s man-of-the-match in the Dundee derby.
He was unquestionably United’s top performer on Sunday.
Fans lockout is a disgrace
Most football fans have spent the best part of 18 months locked out of football.
That’s why it’s disgraceful that clubs like Celtic and Rangers have blocked away fans from a day out in Glasgow.
We understand the vast season-ticket sales of the Old Firm dictate their fans should be prioritised.
Covid restrictions are also placing additional strain on seating arrangements, but would it really hurt to find a solution that allows some away fans the chance to cheer on their team?
There was an eerie silence at Celtic Park as Ian Harkes headed in United’s equaliser.
It’s United’s first goal at Celtic in seven years and they should have had fans there to witness the magical moment.