“Sometimes you have to compliment the opposition, they are a very good team,” Jim Goodwin | OneFootball

Jim Goodwin gave his assessment after his Dundee United side fell to a 3-0 defeat at Celtic Park yesterday afternoon, complimenting Celtic on being a very good team…

Callum McGregor of Celtic celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on February 15, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Dundee United’s unwanted record

The Tannadice club have now become only the second Scottish team in history to go 50 or more consecutive games without winning in Glasgow’s east end. Duncan Ferguson’s winner in December 1992 in Jim McLean’s last visit to Celtic Park was the last time the Arabs won away to Celtic. 33 years on, 38 defeats and 12 draws later, the hoodoo continued for the visitors on Saturday.

Goodwin’s men have lost four of their last five games in the Scottish Premiership, after losing just four of their first 20. Slipping to fourth in the congested table following Aberdeen’s surprising 2-1 win over Dundee at Dens Park, Dundee United are still six clear of Motherwell in seventh with seven league matches to go until the split.

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Jota of Celtic celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on February 15, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

‘Seven Cup Finals’

Speaking on Celtic’s comfortable 3-0 victory, Goodwin said: “I think the fixtures and the results of late probably don’t look great on paper but two of those defeats have been at Celtic Park, one at home against (the)Rangers. The other three were narrow 1-0 defeats we believe could have gone either way. So, we are very calm about the situation. We still believe we are in a good position. Got a run of fixtures coming up which have huge significance.”

“Seven Cup Finals if you like, in the build up to when the split comes. We have a target in mind, and we will keep pushing to achieve it.”

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Adam Idah of Celtic celebrates after he score the third goal during the Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on February 15, 2025 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“We have no arguments about the final outcome, we were beaten by the better team on the day. You need Celtic to have an off day when you come here, we were hoping they would have one eye on midweek with the importance of the game, but it shows you the mentality of that group and of Brendan Rodgers as well.

“They have that level of professionalism and consistency. It certainly was not down to a lack of effort from my players. Sometimes you have to compliment the opposition, they are a very good team.”

Goodwin added: “It shows you the quality that they have that they can make five changes, and it doesn’t really weaken the team. They all know their job in the team, and they can hurt you a number of different ways, with their pace and their movement in the wide areas. There were difficult times for us in the game. We were disappointed in the first two goals. We made it too easy for McGregor on the edge of the box and then Jota, he can go either side.”

“We spoke about this and when he comes inside it is really important you come and meet him. Whether it is centre half or a midfielder, you have to meet him. It is a great finish so I cannot complain too much. Our boys gave it everything, we were just beaten by the better team on the day.”

Conor Spence

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