‘Super difficult’ – Jim Goodwin makes Celtic admission after Bhoys defeat Dundee United to extend lead

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Celtic recorded a comfortable win over Dundee United at Parkhead yesterday evening to extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

The Bhoys were made to work for the three points against an outfit that operated for the majority of proceedings in an aggressive low block and had to show patience on the night.

However, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate helped Celtic see off Dundee United as the hosts’ pressure eventually told, handing the reigning Scottish Premiership champions a 16-point advantage over Rangers.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	CelticCeltic	21	18	2	1	57	7	50	56
2	RangersRangers	20	12	4	4	37	16	21	40
3	Dundee UtdDundee Utd	22	9	7	6	30	24	6	34
4	AberdeenAberdeen	21	10	4	7	32	30	2	34

Delighted with another step towards the title, Brendan Rodgers talked up the Hoops’ willingness to work openings on a night where space was hard to find in the final third.

Jim Goodwin set his side out to frustrate at Parkhead and has now made an admission on why his outfit felt the need to sit so deep against Celtic.

Jim Goodwin on Dundee United’s decision to park bus vs Celtic

Although they did break a few times in the second half, Dundee United’s decision to sit very deep against Celtic was down to a mixture of squad fatigue and chance prevention, according to Goodwin.

He explained: “We knew tonight was always going to be difficult, given the volume of games we’ve had in recent weeks, tonight is actually our sixth league game in the space of 17 days.

“A really tough ask for the players to come here fresh at the best of times is difficult enough. To come here two days after the Hearts game with very little recovery, it was always going to be difficult. The player gave everything. Unfortunately, we didn’t do enough.”

On staying in the game: “At half-time, we spoke about trying to stay in the game. The next 15 minutes after half-time was going to be really important not to concede at that point. The longer the game goes on still at 1-0, then, of course, we need to try and be a bit more adventurous and commit more bodies forward.

“I thought we did that really well; we had one or two half chances, we got opportunities to put balls into the box with some deep free-kicks and long throws, won a couple of corners as well. Unfortunately, nothing fell too kindly to us in and around the box and we get done with the second one because we’ve committed that many men forward in the end.”

Goodwin was wary of the challenges of coming to Celtic Park

Continuing, the Irishman made clear that his side had to show Celtic respect as they are capable of cutting teams open when given even a little encouragement.

He said: “I mean, look, the problem when you’re playing against Celtic, like I said there, coming into the game with only two days recovery after the Hearts game, it was going to be super difficult for the players because they’re not quite at 100%.

“We’re trying to conserve energy; we’re trying to deny Celtic space. We know if we go after them at the top end of the pitch that we’re going to leave big gaps behind us and that’s what they want, so it’s not pretty to watch at times. It’s not how we want to play week in, week out, but you’ve got to respect the opposition. I can’t fault the players’ efforts, I thought they gave everything.”

Overall, Rodgers has to be pleased with how his team coped in a tricky clash that involved a lot of recycled possession and finding alternative routes to goal.

Fashioning enough opportunities to claim three points, Celtic created four ‘big chances’ and had an XG total of 1.80 in a dominant display against the Scottish Premiership’s third-best side.

Now, the Bhoys have a couple of days to recover before making the trip through to Dingwall this weekend in Saturday’s early kick-off.