Celtic came from 2 goals down today at Celtic Park to maintain their unbeaten run at home.

The game finished Celtic 2 Dundee Utd 2 with goals from Robertson and Samuel, the Celts replying through O'Dea and Nakamura.

The hoops started the match well, with McGeady looking lively on the left hand side, but it was United who took the lead with their first attack. A Barry Robson free kick was headed in by David Robertson from close range with the Celtic defence appealing for offside.

Celtic continued to press for an equaliser but were frustrated by the south stand linesman, who was in danger of repetitive strain injury, his arm was up and down more than Jodie Marsh's knickers.

To add to Celtic's first half misery, Bobo Balde was stretchered off with what looked like a serious knee injury when he made a clearance at the edge of the box. He was replaced by Darren O'Dea.

Celtic were punished for more sloppy defending in the 58th minute when another Robson free kick was headed across the goal allowing Samuel to poke the ball home.

At this point Celtic looked dead and buried, but a wonderful delivery from Nakamura was headed in by the substitute O'Dea in the 78th minute.

Then just two minutes later, Nakamura scored an absolute peach of a goal. With everyone expecting a cross to the back post from the Japanese magician, he simply chipped the ball over Stillie from 20 yards out.

Celtic almost snatched the 3 points when substitute Derek Riordan was denied from close range with a brilliant save from Stillie, then in injury time he missed an open goal with the ball hitting the post before running agonizingly across the goal line.

So Celtic's 100% home record in the SPL has ended, but todays result means that the hoops are unbeaten at home in 2006.


Celtic: Boruc, Telfer, Balde (O'Dea 39), McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Sno, Gravesen, McGeady (Riordan 61), Zurawski, Jarosik (Miller 56).
Subs Not Used: Marshall, Conroy, Beattie, Pearson.

Goals: O'Dea 78, Nakamura 80.

Dundee Utd: Stillie, Conway, Kenneth, Mair (Proctor 85), Duff, McCracken, Kerr, Smith (Cameron 84), Robertson, Robson, Samuel.
Subs Not Used: McLean, Archibald, Easton, Goodwillie, Watson.

Booked: Robertson, Kerr, Robson.

Goals: Robertson 17, Samuel 58.

Att: 57,343
Ref: B Winter

TC MOTM: Shunsuke Nakamura