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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Joe Donnelly

Dundee United boss hails 'hell of a shift' from 'perfect' game plan against Celtic

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin was delighted by his side's steadfast defending against Celtic, which saw them hold the visitors to a 0-0 stalemate at Tannadice.

In fierce winds, Celtic carved a handful of half-chances, mostly towards the end of the second half, however the hosts dug their heels in to clinch a clean sheet – the first time this season Celtic have failed to score in the Scottish Premiership.

The United manager put this down to a "hell of a shift" from his players, who executed their game plan "to a tee" against a top Celtic side.

In conversation with Sky Sports, Goodwin said: "The players executed the game plan to a tee, out of possession especially. Of course, 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.

"We've tried to remain compact throughout. We were quite happy for the ball to go wide and close the gap centrally and defend crosses when we had to. And I thought every man in a Dundee United jersey did that really, really well today.

"The conditions were difficult for both teams. There was a really, really strong wind out there."


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Goodwin continued: "A lot probably will be made of the conditions and the fact that Celtic have had to make so many changes. But I think 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.

"I don't think there's been too many times this season where they haven't scored. So, a really, really good effort from the lads defensively, showed great discipline and concentration throughout. And I think we were worthy of the point in the end.

"The mentality and the character of the group has never, ever been questioned. Sometimes we make mistakes and sometimes things don't go exactly how we would like. But I've never, ever had to question anybody's desire or commitment to the cause.

"And we saw that again today, defensively as a group, not just the back four and the goalkeeper, but at the top end of the pitch as well. The boys put in one hell of a shift to make sure that we take something on today."

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