Celtic 4-2 Dundee United: Player ratings as Hoops survive late scare

Celtic saw off a late fightback to record a dramatic 4-2 win over bottom side Dundee United at Celtic Park.

Ange Postecoglou's side came into the game still smarting from their 5-1 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid in midweek, which condemned them to finishing bottom of their Champions League group.

But any fears of a continental hangover appeared to be allayed just five minutes into the clash at Celtic Park; Sead Haksabanovic linking up with Jota before firing Celtic in front.

Dundee were handed a lifeline several minutes later when Alexandro Bernabei's clumsy challenge handed the visitors a penalty which veteran striker Steven Fletcher gleefully slotted away to level the scores.

Normal service resumed before half-time, however, when Haksabanovic scored his second of the game after good work from Georgios Giakoumakis.

The rest of the match went largely as most would have predicted, with Celtic dominating possession and creating considerably more chances than their opponents.

But they would live to regret failing to capitalise on their superiority when Dylan Levitt popped up with a late equaliser to send the away fans into raptures.

It looked like a fantastic result for Dundee United, who lost 9-0 when these two sides last met in August.

But there was still time for another twist in the tale as Kyogo Furuhashi combined with the superb Anthony Ralston to bag an even-later winner.

Liel Abada added a fourth goal in stoppage time to put the icing on the cake for Celtic, though the comfortable scoreline hardly reflected the frantic nature of the last 10 minutes.

The result extends Celtic's lead over Rangers at the top of the table to seven points, though Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side can close the gap on Sunday when they face St. Johnstone.

Dundee United, meanwhile, remain rooted to the bottom of the table, having won just twice all season so far.

Celtic player ratings

GK: Joe Hart (6); RB: Anthony Ralson (8); CB: Cameron Carter-Vickers (7); CB: Moritz Jenz (7); LB: Alexandro Bernabei (6); CDM: Matt O'Riley (8); CM: David Turnbull (7); CM: Reo Hatate (7); RW: Sead Haksabanovic (9); LW: Jota (8); ST: Georgios Giakoumakis (7).

SUB: Greg Taylor (7); Kyogo Furuhashi (7); Liel Abada (7); James Forrest (6); Daizen Maeda (N/A).

Dundee United player ratings

GK: Mark Birighitti (6); CB: Liam Smith (5); CB: Ryan Edwards (6); CB: Scott McMann (6); RWB: Kieran Freeman (6); LWB: Aziz Behich (8); CM: Ian Harkes (7); CM: Arnaud Djoume (6); CM: Craig Sibbald (7); ST: Jamie McGrath (7); ST: Steven Fletcher (7).

SUB: Dylan Levitt (7); Glenn Middleton (6); Tony Watt (6); Archie Meekison (6).