Celtic 4-2 Dundee United: League leaders win thriller to extend lead

Celtic crushed a remarkable Dundee United comeback in a jaw-dropping finale to roar seven points clear at the Scottish Premiership summit.

Dylan Levitt appeared to have rescued a point for the visitors with his 87th-minute strike, but Celtic substitutes Kyogo Furuhashi and Liel Abada struck in stoppage time at a raucous Parkhead.

Sead Haksabanovic netted a first-half brace either side of Steven Fletcher’s spot kick after a VAR intervention.

United now sit bottom of the table.

Celtic’s lead could be narrowed if Rangers overcome St Johnstone in Sunday’s early kick-off.

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The hosts flew out the blocks on their return to domestic action. Jota slid an enticing ball across the face of the United goal, with Haksabanovic lurking at the back post for his first Celtic goal.

The home fans would have been hoped with the early lead, Celtic would inflict another trouncing of United, similar to the 9-0 thumping handed out earlier in the campaign. However, quite the opposite followed.

Fletcher’s header undoubtedly struck the arm of leaping left-back Alexandro Bernabei inside the box, although he knew very little about it. After a lengthy VAR check, a spot-kick was awarded by referee David Dickinson with Fletcher stroking the ball down the middle for a controversial equaliser.

Celtic regained the upper hand when Montenegro international Haksabanovic sliced an effort by the fingertips of a helpless Mark Birighitti in the United goal.

After the interval, the hosts peppered the box without crafting a clear-cut opportunity to possess a more comfortable lead prior to a late flurry of gilt-edged chances for United, including Greg Taylor’s goal-line clearance to deny Glenn Middleton and Ryan Edwards striking a post.

Then, bedlam. Levitt caressed a curling ball with just two minutes of normal time left that deceived everyone, including Celtic keeper Joe Hart, to hush Celtic Park.

However, Celtic were not done. Three minutes later, substitute Kyogo skimmed a glancing header to prompt chaos inside a bouncing Celtic Park, before Abada audaciously chipped over Birighitti to squash the juice out of the Tangerines.

Player of the match – Jota

‘Never stop’ attitude displayed again – analysis

Catch your breath if you can. This was a prime example of everything Ange Postecoglou promised when he came to Celtic over a year ago. Goals galore, attacking football and a never-say-die attitude.

In seasons gone by, Celtic would have succumbed to a 2-2 draw, a disappointing drop of points. But despite conceding with just two minutes of regulation time remaining, you’d have been a brave soul if you didn’t fancy Celtic to carve out a winner late on… never mind two.

For United, it’s gut-wrenching. To come so close to grabbing something from Celtic Park, especially following their 9-0 hammering earlier on in the season, is harrowing. Liam Fox can take plenty from his side’s grit and determination, but it’s never nice to be looking all the way up from the pit of the table.

What’s next

Celtic travel to Fir Park on Wednesday evening to take on Motherwell (19:45 GMT), while Dundee United host Kilmarnock at the same time.

More to follow.