Celtic score late to down Dundee United

The visitors, thrashed 9-0 at home to Celtic in August, were on course for a point when Dylan Levitt's cross found its way into the net three minutes from time. But Japan striker Furuhashi headed home from a last-minute corner before Abada made sure leaders Celtic went seven points clear before arch Glasgow rivals Rangers visit St Johnstone on Sunday.

Sead Haksabanovic had scored his first two goals for Celtic in the first half either side of a VAR-assisted Steven Fletcher penalty. It took Celtic just seven minutes to open the scoring, Haksabanovic tapping in after being set up by Jota. Yet far from being the prelude to another rout, the goal sparked a determined response from United, who were level within five minutes.

Alexandro Bernabei rose to head clear but a Dundee player got a flick-on and Fletcher's header hit the Celtic left-back's arm while he was still in the air. Bernabei may have stopped the ball unwittingly but, after consulting the pitchside monitor, referee David Dickinson awarded a penalty and Fletcher scored from the spot.

Celtic, however, eventually restored their lead in the 34th minute when Matt O'Riley's cross ultimately fell for Haksabanovic, whose first-time shot was weakly pushed in off the post by United goalkeeper Mark Birighitti's weak attempt to stop. Birighitti, however, twice made saves and then came Levitt's equaliser, only for Celtic to hit back in style.

Furuhashi's header made it 3-2 before Abada surged down the right wing and chipped Birighitti for a goal that stood following a VAR check for offside. At the other end of the standings, Ross County climbed off the bottom of the table following a second-half comeback in a 3-2 win over St Mirren. Jordan White opened the scoring for County in the 13th minute but their lead lasted just three minutes thanks to Ryan Strain's powerful strike.

St Mirren scored in first-half stoppage time when defender Mark O'Hara headed Ethan Erhahon's corner against the crossbar and the ball was ruled to have crossed the goal-line County regained the lead with two goals in the space of five minutes. Jordan Tillson equalised in the 56th minute with his first goal on his 92nd appearance for County. Harmon, out for nearly two months with a hamstring injury, then headed his side in front on the hour in only his second full game back.

 

November 5, 2022