Dundee United 0-4 Celtic – Celtic put United to the Sword in a 4-0 Rout
Celtic ran out convincing 4-0 winners over Jim Goodwin’s Dundee United in the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup at Tannadice on Saturday night. Goals from Auston Trusty, Camilo Duran, Sebastian Tounekti and Benjamin Nygren ensured that Martin O’Neil’s side booked their place in the Quarter finals of the Premier Sports Cup. Celtic started the game on the front foot, and their first chance of the game came when Sebastian Tounekti drove to the byline before playing a pass to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlian, whose effort from the edge of the penalty area was gathered with ease by Jack Walton in the Dundee United goal. On the 12th minute, United’s long throw aimed towards the Celtic box was followed on by two headed flick-Ons before the ball would fall to Julius Eskesen inside the area, his low strike cannoned back off the woodwork from 16 yards out. Eight minutes later, the hosts seen another strike hit the same post. Emmanuel Agyei tried his luck with another low effort, only to be denied by the smallest of margins. Celtic had controlled the early stages and found themselves ahead in the 22nd minute, Benjamin Nygren’s corner kick delivery found the head of Auston Trusty who was lurking at the far post to head the ball beyond Jack Walton to break the deadlock. Within a matter of minutes, Celtic netted their second goal of the evening with summer arrival Camilo Duran striking to score his first Celtic goal. United had failed to clear the ball from danger inside their own box, Club record signing Kasper Hogh attempted to force the ball goalwards before Duran collected to calmly finish from close range. On the brink of half time, Kasper Hogh used his physicality to force his man into losing the ball before finding Camilo Duran who played an inviting ball to the far post, however Hogh was unable to get a proper connection onto the ball from a tight angle. Jim Goodwin’s men had responded well to being two goals behind, but it was Martin O’Neil’s side who went into the interval with a two-goal advantage. The hosts made a positive start to the second half but were made to watch the ball come off the frame of the goal a further two times. The first one came from a powerful and rising strike from Zac Sapsford in the box which flew past Celtic Goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo who was outstretched, with the second coming from Bert Esselink’s headed attempt. Despite an improved start from United, it would count for nothing when Sebastian Tounekti finished off a brilliant counterattacking move by Celtic in the 53rd minute to put the champions in cruise control. The Tunisian winger who had been a danger all evening, cut inside on the edge of the box before unleashing a low strike past two United defenders before finding its way into the net. On the hour mark, Mika Baur came on to make his Celtic debut with Haissem Hassan also introduced for his debut shortly after. Baur, Celtic’s new midfielder from German side Paderborn was involved in play instantly and played a part in Celtic’s fourth goal in the 62nd minute. Baur flicked the ball onto Tounekti who played the ball to the feet of Benjamin Nygren as he let fly from 18 yards out, curling a fine effort high into the net leaving Walton with no chance. It was an uneventful last half an hour to the game, United continued to struggle to cause the Celtic defence any real trouble, with Celtic doing enough to claim a deserved clean sheet and progress into the last eight of the Premier Sports Cup.
“Nobody can say we didn’t deserve it” – Ayrshire Derby Manager Reaction
Neil McCann praised his side’s “character” after emerging victorious in a five-goal thriller against local rivals Ayr, becoming the first side to progress to the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals. Nicky Clesenco’s 89th-minute winner sparked wild scenes in the packed-out BBSP Rugby Park, but Killie were made to work for their win after The Honest Men had twice led through Owen Stirton and Ross Taylor. McCann was delighted the hosts could stand up to the pressure. “Congratulations to Ayr United for their quality and their endeavour. It’s always difficult when you’re the side that’s having to make the game. “We showed a lot of character tonight. There’s a lot of pressure on this game, let’s not kid ourselves. The fans that turned out were magnificent, and I’m so happy our boys showed the quality to put us in the quarter-finals. “Nobody can say we didn’t deserve it. We were the team in control of the match, they had a bit of quality on the counter attack. Tonight, we can celebrate. I’ve told them to go and enjoy it. “We showed a lot of guts and I’m so happy.” In contrast to the delight of the home boss, Ayr United’s Gary Naysmith admitted the defeat “one of the sickest” he has faced in his career thus far. It was a night that could have been so different for The Honest Men, who started the first and second half in lightning-quick fashion. “Apart from winning the game, they couldn’t have given me any more. We stuck to the game plan, always looked a threat on the break. “We started the first half and the second half the better team. Towards the middle and end of both halves, Kilmarnock came into it and asked us questions. Big games have big moments, and Harry Stone’s collision with Kevin Holt allowed Clesenco the opportunity to chip into the net. “In the main, we defended really well. We were just lacking numbers. It caught up with us a wee bit. “We just leave Harry be, it’s just a mistake. He was tremendous again tonight, came for everything, made some big saves. It’s a horrible way to lose a game. “That’s up there with one of the sickest feelings I’ve had at the end of a game.” Kilmarnock are next in action on August 29th against Jim Goodwin’s Dundee United, still waiting for their first victory in the Scottish Premiership. Ayr United will look to add to their unbeaten Championship start against Raith Rovers in Kirkcaldy.