Dundee United survived a late comeback from Celtic to secure a 2-1 win in the Scottish Premiership this afternoon.
Nadir Ciftci picked up a yellow card just 30 seconds into the tie for a heavy challenge on Scott Brown, but the striker made amends just a few minutes later by holding off Efe Ambrose to chip in from a Stuart Armstrong ball.
Radoslaw Cierzniak was needed down the other end a few minutes later as the Scottish champions looked for a quick equaliser, but James Forrest's low shot was an easy save.
John Guidetti tried to set up Stefan Johansen, but the United keeper was ready to make the save again, while Anthony Stokes sliced the ball high from the edge of the box.
Virgil van Dijk had an effort cleared off the line shortly before half time, while Forrest curled the ball in for Guidetti, but the Swedish striker's header was saved.
Ciftci was lively at the start of the second half as he pushed for a second, losing Ambrose with a quick run before Craig Gordon punched his shot clear.
Celtic soon started to see the majority of the ball again as they pressed for an equaliser. Stokes's cross was headed on by Sean Dillon, but the home side's captain was relieved to see the ball bounce out off the bar.
Despite the Hoops continuing to create the majority of the chances, the hosts doubled their lead when Ciftci lifted the ball in for Armstrong, who calmly headed past Gordon after being left unmarked in the box.
After Emilio Izaguirre had cleared a ball off the line late on, Celtic immediately pulled one back down the other end as Stefan Scepovic delivered for Leigh Griffiths to finish smartly and give the visitors some hope.
Cierzniak was called into action again as Celtic tried to complete the comeback, but he denied Forrest, while Griffiths struck the post in stoppage time with a driven effort from the edge of the box.
Despite the defeat, Celtic remain top of the table, while United are second, four point adrift.
Sian Cowper
