Celtic player ratings vs Dundee United: Viljami Sinisalo saves further embarrassment, Benjamin Nygren woeful

Celtic endured a difficult afternoon as they were beat 2-0 at Dundee United in a major blow to their Scottish Premiership title hopes.

There was no doubt that the pitch at Tannadice played a part in proceedings, with Martin O’Neill’s side not at their best in the City of Discovery.

Goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo made a fine save to keep out Will Ferry’s powerful strike and Ashley Maynard-Brewer denied Kelechi Iheanacho in what otherwise was a first half of few chances.

Ferry broke the deadlock early in the second half, with Reo Hatate’s strike fumbled by Maynard-Brewer the closest the Hoops came to an equaliser, before Emmanuel Agyei secured all three points for the hosts.

Celtic’s chances of winning the Scottish Premiership now look slim, with league leaders Hearts holding a five-point lead over O’Neill’s team in the table.

Celtic substitutes fail to inspire comeback

It became apparent after Dundee United opened the scoring that O’Neill would have to turn to his bench in order to try and change the game.

It was in midfield where Celtic struggled, but the introduction of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Luke McCowan was unable to assert any control in the middle of the park.

Daizen Maeda’s switch through the middle once Kelechi Iheanacho departed also failed to give Dundee United any problems defensively, as they deservedly kept a clean sheet and beat Celtic for the second time this season.

Benjamin Nygren struggles on Tannadice turf

Despite his 15 league goals this season, Benjamin Nygren has proved to be an enigma among the Celtic fanbase, and the 24-year-old’s display at Tannadice had little impact.

Football Insider understands that Nygren is attracting attention from Premier League clubs, but on this performance the Swede will not be moving down south.

Nygren was wasteful on the ball and from his set-piece deliveries, whilst the midfielder won just one of his six ground duels across his 75 minutes on the pitch.

Celtic player ratings against Dundee United

• Viljami Sinisalo – 8
• Colby Donovan – 4
• Benjamin Arthur – 6
• Liam Scales – 5
• Kieran Tierney – 6
• Callum McGregor – 4
• Reo Hatate – 5
• Hyun-Jun Yang – 5
• Benjamin Nygren – 3
• Daizen Maeda – 4
• Kelechi Iheanacho – 3

Substitutes

• Sebastian Tounekti (On for Iheanacho 57′) – 5
• Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (On for Callum McGregor 57′) – 4
• Luke McCowan (On for Donovan 62′) – 5
• James Forrest (On for Nygren 75′) – 4
• Junior Adamu (On for Hatate 75′) – 3

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