Dundee United 0-0 Celtic: Hoops held to frustrating draw as Furuhashi and Engels miss scoring opportunities

In his debut match at Tannadice as Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers witnessed his revamped team control possession but struggled to create clear scoring opportunities, managing just three shots on target - their lowest tally of the season. The home side's defense proved difficult to break down, forcing the Hoops to settle for a hard-fought draw.

It was the first points dropped since a 2-2 draw against Aberdeen in October and means Celtic finished the day nine points ahead of Rangers at the top of the table.

Celtic remain unbeaten domestically this season and still hold a healthy advantage at the top as they prepare for home games against Motherwell and St Johnstone before the Old Firm clash against Rangers at Ibrox on January 2.

Rodgers rang the changes following the exhausting Premier Sports Cup final win over the Light Blues last weekend and in came Anthony Ralston, Stephen Welsh, Liam Scales, Luke McCowan and Hyun-Jun Yang.

Paulo Bernardo was among the substitutes but there was no sign of Nicolas Kuhn, injured Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers or Auston Trusty, the latter two declared ill by Rodgers before the game.

United showed three changes, with Will Ferry, Kai Fotheringham and Miller Thomson reinstated, while the league's top-scorer Sam Dalby, with eight goals in nine games, led the line.

The Wrexham loanee and his team-mates had to do the chasing as Celtic inevitably took control of the ball.

In the 10th minute, Hoops attacker Daizen Maeda set up midfielder Reo Hatate with a clever flick, but his low drive from 16 yards beat the far post.

Former Dundee star McCowan was next to try his luck with a 25-yard drive which whistled past United goalkeeper Jack Walton's left-hand post.

Further efforts from Hoops striker Kyogo Furuhashi, McCowan and Hatate followed before the break, with the Terrors showing little threat as they concentrated diligently on keeping out the visitors.

United had a good opportunity early in the second half when Thomson broke down the left, supported by Dalby, but his weak shot was gathered by Celtic's under-employed goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

The Parkhead side remained dominant but were finding it difficult to get through the packed and well-organised Tangerine defence.

Rodgers acted on the hour mark and Adam Idah and Luis Palma replaced Yang and McCowan and moments later Idah came close with a low drive.

On a rare United attack, back-tracking Kyogo was caught on the ball by Glenn Middleton inside the box, but his shot on the stretch was easily saved by Schmeichel.

Celtic went back on the attack. Walton tipped a header from Maeda over the bar in the 78th minute but United, with Jort van der Sande on for Thomson, defended the corner before the United keeper thwarted Kyogo moments later after a great touch by Idah.

The visitors piled on the pressure and Walton blocked a close-range drive from another Celtic substitute Arne Engels before the Hoops survived a goalmouth scramble as United went for a late winner, but neither side could get the breakthrough in six minutes of added time.

Rodgers: It looked like we couldn't score

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers told :

"We arrived into all the areas that we wanted to and we were in there often enough, but we didn't work the 'keeper enough.

"We had so many opportunities while we were in there and we never hit the target.

"We passed it well through and connected the game, and the 'keeper made a really good save at the end

"Difficult conditions with the wind and everything, but it just looked like we couldn't score."

Goodwin: We deserve credit

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin told :

"We spoke before the game about the importance of discipline and concentration and the players did the game plan to a T out of possession.

"We would have liked to have been able to offer a bit more in terms of our forward play but sometimes you've got to respect the opposition. Celtic are a team with real quality.

"My players deserve a huge amount of credit for what they put into that game. Celtic have won the previous eight league games away from home."

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