Celtic dropped points in the title race as they conceeded two late goals to Dundee Utd. Former Celtic forward David Fernandez scored twice, including a late equaliser to stun the Parkhead faithfull and earn a point for the Tannadice side for the first time at Celtic Park since 1997. Celtic had led 3-1 with just ten minutes to go, only to see their leaky defence cost them once more. Celtic have now went 13 games without a clean sheet and following another poor defensive display, Strachan has many things to think about.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan had attempted to solve his defensive problems by giving Mark Wilson his debut against his former club by replacing Paul Telfer at right-back, while Ross Wallace took the place of Mo Camara on the other side of defence. This decision was strange following Camara's good performance the previous week, and Wallace's poor form before. Strachan also made another pecuilar decision by making Maloney and Nakamura swap wings, by putting Nakamura on the right and Maloney on the left despite them playing well on their proper wings at Motherwell. A 100% fit Roy Keane only made a place on Strachan's bench.

Dundee United started the game lively and were first to come close to breaking the deadlock. Two last gasp challenges by Adam Virgo, who had retained his place at the heart of defence, prevented Fernandez finishing from a good Grant Brebner cross.

Celtic however opened the scoring after nine minutes when Hartson rose unchallenged to head home a simple goal from Shunsuke Nakamura's flighted free-kick from five yards following a Barry Robson foul on Zurawski.

Stan Varga glanced a header just wide from a Nakamura corner as Celtic pushed for a second however, United were playing well. Jim McIntyre was causing the Celtic defence problems as he twice tested Boruc from long range and Collin Samuel also came close, as he nodded wide from a Robson free-kick.

Dundee Utd's pressure finally paid off as they found an equaliser after 40 mintes. A Robson free-kick was met by Alan Archibald, whose mis-directed header fortuitously bounced into the path of Fernandez, who poked the ball home against his former club. Despite spending three years with the Bhoys, this was Fernandez's first goal at Celtic Park.

Dundee Utd's good work was undone immediately after the break when Zurawski was found unmarked from a set-piece to head home a Shaun Maloney cross. It was terrible defending by Brewster's side as their defence allowed Celtic another very simple goal.

Celtic had strong claims for a penalty waved aside after Stuart Duff barged into Maloney. This was met by disbelief by both fans and players as it looked a certain infringement. Boruc was playing well and he prevented another goal when Fernandez deceived Virgo and sent a drive towards goal that was well saved by the Polish goalkeeper.

Celtic appeared to have made the points safe when a Petrov drive was deflected past Derek Stillie by Derek McInnes into the back of the net. The Bulgarian has just signed a new contract with the club and he will hope that after scoring his 60th goal for the club that there are many more to come.

Just as Keane was about to be introduced substitute Lee Miller fired United back into the game with eight minutes to go following a defensive mix up. Maloney who had chaced a player to the touch line to prevent his cross kept everyone on side and Miller had the simplist of finishes from five yards from a McIntyre pass with the Celtic defence attempting to play offside. Stachan therefore decided not to make the substitution despite the sitaution not actually changing. Infact I think it would have been even more important to bring Keane on at this time but Stachan obviously thought otherwise.

The comback was complete on 86 minutes when after a fine move Fernandez showed great composure to walk round Boruc and stroke the ball into the net to end Celtic's run of 23 consecutive wins against the Tannadice club.


Celtic pushed for a winner although a few eyebrows were raised when Strachan allowed Boruc to come up for a free-kick only for a woeful Maloney free-kick too hit the first man. This was a rediculas thing to do as if there should be a team that understands the importance of every point, it should be Celtic. It added to the serial feeling inside the ground as the final whistle blew. Celtic's lead over Hearts has now been cut to eight points.


Celtic: (4-4-2)

Boruc

Wilson Virgo Varga Wallace

Nakamura(Pearson 72) Lennon Petrov Maloney

Zurawski Hartson


Subs Not Used: Marshall, Keane, McManus, Camara, McGlinchey, Quinn.


Dundee Utd:Stillie, McCracken, Archibald, McInnes(Miller 80), Robson, Kerr, Brebner, McIntyre, Duff, Fernandez(Goodwillie 90), Samuel.


Subs Not Used: Gardiner, Samson, Kenneth, Robertson, Cameron.


Attendance: 59,875

Referee: M Ritchie