Celtic faced off against Dundee United on December 22, 2024, ending with a 0-0 draw during the 18th round of the Scottish Premiership. The draw halted the reigning champions' impressive seven-match league winning streak, which had them comfortably sitting at the top of the table.
Coming off their recent triumph against Rangers, where they clinched the Scottish League Cup following penalties, Celtic hoped to carry this momentum against fifth-placed Dundee. Manager Brendan Rodgers put his trust in the Japanese trio, Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda, and Reo Hatate, giving them key starting positions.
From the start, Celtic controlled the game with their usual tactic of ball possession. Just nine minutes in, Maeda executed a precise flick, providing Hatate with a chance from the left side of the box, but his left-footed shot went wide to the right. This early effort set the tone for the match, with the Japanese players actively pushing for openings.
By the 20th minute, Celtic was awarded a free kick at the edge of the box, with Hatate aiming directly for goal; unfortunately, his effort failed to find the net. Furuhashi showcased his skill shortly after, unleashing another left-footed shot from near the penalty arc, but this, too, did not lead to the opening goal, as his attempt veered off course.
Despite dominating possession, Celtic struggled to turn their chances golden. With each passing minute, the frustration grew as they continued to create opportunities, yet the final touch seemed elusive. Just before halftime, Furuhashi and Hatate both found themselves with opportunities inside the box, but the Dundee defense held strong, denying them again.
Entering the second half, Celtic maintained their formation, intent on breaking the deadlock. Unfortunately, their attacking rhythm faltered—much to the dismay of the travelling supporters. Rodgers reacted by substituting Young Hyun-Jun and McCowan, substituting Palmar and Idar to activate their attacking front.
At the 76-minute mark, Maeda broke free down the right side after receiving a floating pass from Ralston and directed a header toward goal; yet, he was met with commendable goalkeeping from Dundee’s GK. Soon after, Hatate was replaced by Bernard, another tactical shift aimed at pushing for the win.
Furuhashi encountered what had to be the game’s best opportunity when he emerged alone before the net. He received a clever flick-pass from Idar, which drew him near the penalty area. Alas, poor first touch hindered him from capitalizing on his golden opportunity, leaving the fans holding their breath as he missed once again.
With time ticking, and all substitutions made, the final moments of the match opened up for both sides. An increasingly wide-open field left Celtic searching for ways to score, yet they squandered the opportunities presented. Late chances came for Furuhashi and Engels, but neither could find the key to sneaking past the Dundee defense.
The whistle blew, and the scoreline remained locked at 0-0, forcing Celtic to accept the tie. This result not only marked the end to their streak of seven consecutive league wins but also sent ripples of disappointment across their faithful supporters.
On the same day, Celtic released important matchday guidelines for fans, particularly highlighting the prohibition of fireworks at stadiums. This move came after rising concerns about the use of pyrotechnics, underscoring the need for safety. The club emphasized, "Fireworks, smoke bombs, firecrackers, and all other forms of pyrotechnics are strictly prohibited due to their significant danger to spectator safety." They called for fans to uphold the club’s reputation during matches.
While the result may not have been what fans had hoped for, they still took solace from having witnessed their team maintain dominance on the pitch, albeit without the palpable excitement of goals. Going forward, securing consistent performances and adapting to tighten their offensive play will be key for Celtic as they navigate this season.
