Celtic Fall To Second After Loss To The Terrors

Dundee United 2 Celtic 1

Celtic fell to second place, behind Rangers, in the Scottish Premier League after Sunday's defeat at Tannadice Park.

Despite a frantic start to the game, it took until the 72nd minute before either team was on the scoreboard, Celtic taking the lead when former United captain Barry Robson was brought down in the box for a penalty, which he himself slotted past keeper Nicky Weaver.

Dundee manager Craig Levein immediately switched things around, bringing on Danny Swanson and striker Jon Daly - a move that would turn out to be inspired. Getting a corner soon afterwards, Swanson curved the ball in, allowing Daly to rocket the equalizer into the net.

With just a minute to go, Dundee won another and again Swanson put in a great cross that was met by Darren Dods' head for the goal that gave Dundee United their first victory over Celtic in the league since August 1999.

Manager Tony Mowbray was disappointed by the loss and highlighted the difference in quality between the teams: "We totally dominated and we didn't get what we deserved from the game but we need to take it on the chin and move on.

"They couldn't get near our goal, never mind score. But credit to them, they were great deliveries from the set plays.

"We've lost a game that we should never have lost. When we add the bits of quality we can be very successful for a very long time.

"They showed over the 85 minutes today that there was a huge gulf in quality on the pitch but any team can score from a set play if you don't defend them properly.

"At these times we've got to stick together. Next weekend we'll all be back in it together trying to win a football match."

Celtic defender John Kennedy has been forced to retire at 26-years-old on the advice of doctors.

Suffering since he acquired a serious knee injury on his debut for Scotland in 2004, he had spent three years out of the game before returning to Celtic then reinjuring the knee.

In a message to fans, he said: "It has been an absolute privilege to play for such a great club and of course I wish the team the very best for the future."