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Neil Lennon insists Celtic got the win their performance deserved after Albian Ajeti\u2019s late strike gave the Hoops a narrow 1-0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice.<\/p>\nNeil Lennon insists Celtic got the win their performance deserved after Albian Ajeti\u2019s late strike gave the Hoops a narrow 1-0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice.<\/p>\n
After a goalless first half the visitors increased the tempo and mounted a series of attacks but a well-organised home side defended stoutly.<\/p>\n
However, in the 82nd minute Switzerland striker Ajeti, making his league debut as a second-half substitute following his recent \u00a34.5million move from West Ham, repaid a chunk of that fee when he fired in from 12 yards.<\/p>\n
Hoops boss Lennon said: \u201cWe got our just rewards, it was a great performance and great win.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only disappointing thing is the scoreline \u2013 we should have won the game very comfortably.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you have to credit Dundee United or (Benjamin) Siegrist in goal who made a couple of great saves.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were a little bit loose in the final third but the performance was really good. From 25 minutes on, we were outstanding.<\/p>\n
\u201d I don\u2019t think we\u2019re hitting top form just yet. We\u2019re still trying to find that.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut the attitude today was brilliant and some of the football tremendous.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe deserved even better out of the game but we\u2019ll take the win.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lennon was delighted to see Ajeti get his first Celtic goal.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cIt\u2019s always good for a striker to come in and make an early impact.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can see he\u2019s not match fit yet but that\u2019ll do his confidence the world of good.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe did great to keep the ball alive for the goal. We were thinking he was going to flick it into the goalie\u2019s arms and it would die.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut he kept it alive then flashed a great finish. And I think some of his link-up play was good as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a work in progress in terms of his fitness.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ajeti said: \u201cI am very happy.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst of all it was very important to get the three points here. It was a tough game against a strong opponent.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know the keeper from Switzerland, he is a friend of mine but today we were opponents and I am happy I could get the winning goal.\u201d<\/p>\n
United boss Micky Mellon was pleased with the way his side, newly promoted to the Premiership, performed against the nine-in-a-row champions.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cWe worked our socks off. When I came in at the start of the season we wanted to move the club forward and be a team that could make an impact at this level.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew were coming up against the Scottish champions and we were going to make sure we took part in the game and not sit back like a lot of Scottish teams do and get their bellies tickled by Celtic.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to have a right good go as much as we could and I think everyone that was here or watched on telly would have to agree that we did that for large spells.\u201d<\/p>\n