Digressive Celts

Matches › 2025/26

Celtic 4–0 Dundee United

Saturday 10 January 2026, 15:00 · Celtic Park · Round 22 · Half-time 2–0 · Referee Nick Walsh · Attendance 58,477

Celtic Yang 27', Engels 32', Nygren 63', Maeda 69'

Post-match

Result and Expected Points

CelticDundee United
Goals40
xG3.180.34
Expected Points2.890.07

Celtic 95%Draw 5%Dundee United 1%

Most likely score 3–0, 19%. Final score 4–0, 15%.

Dundee United goalsCeltic goals0123456+0123456+1%7%3%6%8%6%8%3%4%2%16%19%15%Final score

Own goals have no xG.

xG race

012340153045607590HTNygren on for Hatate and Donovan on for Araujo, 61'Kenny on for Maeda, Forrest on for Tounekti, and McCowan on for Yang, 72'Fatah on for Camara, 46'Strain on for Stirton and Trapanovski on for Naamo, 60'Eskesen on for Sevelj and Möller on for Sapsford, 78'Yang 27'Engels 32'Nygren 63'Maeda 69'Celtic 3.18Dundee United 0.34012340153045607590HTNygren on for Hatate and Donovan on for Araujo, 61'Kenny on for Maeda, Forrest on for Tounekti, and McCowan on for Yang, 72'Fatah on for Camara, 46'Strain on for Stirton and Trapanovski on for Naamo, 60'Eskesen on for Sevelj and Möller on for Sapsford, 78'Yang 27'Engels 32'Nygren 63'Maeda 69'3.180.34CelticDundee United

Each side's xG added up shot by shot through the match. Stoppage time is shaded as far as the last shot or event recorded in it. Triangles along the foot mark each side's substitutions.

Match stats

CelticDundee United

3.18 +0.90xG0.34 −0.97
3.54 +1.50xG on target0.00 −1.40
22 +5Shots3 −10
8 +2.5Shots on target0 −4.7
6 +2.1Big chances1 −1.0
48 +12Touches in the opposition box9 −17
78% +8Possession22% −20
795 +146Passes226 −91
92% +4Pass accuracy69% 0
96% +17Field tilt4% −34
82 +14Final-third entries13 −19
22 0Box entries6 −6
9.9 +0.5Passes per defensive action43.2 +29.9
11 +4.2Corners3 −1.7
8 −6Tackles14 −3
3 −4.0Interceptions5 −5.6
16 −11Clearances40 +4
0 −2.0Saves4 +0.6
12 0Fouls5 −9
3 +1.3Offsides1 −0.9

The small figure beside each value is its difference from the side's average per league match this season before this one. Field tilt is each side's share of the open-play passes completed in the final third; entries are completed open-play passes and carries into the final third and the box; passes per defensive action (PPDA) counts the opponent's passes in its own 60% of the pitch for each tackle, interception, challenge, or foul there.

Chance locations

Celtic

Maeda 54', 0.37 xGYang 28', 0.18 xGMaeda 20', 0.17 xGHatate 48', 0.17 xGTrusty 9', 0.10 xGTounekti 69', 0.08 xGEngels 45', 0.07 xGYang 14', 0.06 xGKenny 82', 0.06 xGForrest 83', 0.06 xGEngels 63', 0.05 xGTounekti 71', 0.05 xGForrest 86', 0.05 xGScales 21', 0.04 xGTierney 35', 0.04 xGAraujo 15', 0.03 xGHatate 45+1', 0.03 xGTierney 9', 0.02 xGMaeda 69', 0.80 xG, goalNygren 63', 0.46 xG, goalEngels 32', 0.22 xG, goalYang 27', 0.08 xG, goal30%0.96 xGSix-yard box: 2 shots, 0.96 xG, 1 goal53%1.69 xGCentral box: 10 shots, 1.69 xG, 2 goals4%0.14 xGWide in the box: 3 shots, 0.14 xG, 0 goals11%0.36 xGEdge of the box: 6 shots, 0.36 xG, 1 goal1%0.03 xGFurther out: 1 shot, 0.03 xG, 0 goals

Dundee United

Stirton 43', 0.16 xGStirton 29', 0.14 xGKeresztes 30', 0.04 xG0%0.00 xGSix-yard box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals100%0.34 xGCentral box: 3 shots, 0.34 xG, 0 goals0%0.00 xGWide in the box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals0%0.00 xGEdge of the box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals0%0.00 xGFurther out: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals

Each area's share of the side's xG from open play and set pieces, with the xG in it. The two wide areas of the box count together, as on the club pages. Shots shows each of those shots instead, sized by its xG, with goals filled in.

Chance types

CelticDundee United

2.92 17 shots, 4 goalsOpen play0.30 2 shots, 0 goals
0.25 5 shots, 0 goalsSet pieces0.04 1 shot, 0 goals

xG by type of chance, with each side's shots and goals beside it.

Game state

Level
27 min (30%) · Celtic 0.51, Dundee United 0.00 xG
Celtic ahead
64 min (70%) · Celtic 2.67, Dundee United 0.34 xG

Line-ups

1226563274241133823SchmeichelAraujoTrustyScalesTierneyEngelsMcGregorHatateYangMaedaTounektiYellow cardGoalGoalGoal61'61'72'72'72'Celtic 4-3-3Martin O'Neill252256231121148934RichardsNaamoSeveljGrahamKeresztesFerryStephensonSibbaldCamaraSapsfordStirton60'78'46'78'60'Dundee United 5-3-2Jim Goodwin

Celtic substitutes

  • 61' Donovan for Araujo
  • 61' Nygren for Hatate · goal 63'
  • 72' McCowan for Yang
  • 72' Forrest for Tounekti
  • 72' Kenny for Maeda

Dundee United substitutes

  • 46' Fatah for Camara
  • 60' Strain for Stirton
  • 60' Trapanovski for Naamo
  • 78' Eskesen for Sevelj
  • 78' Möller for Sapsford

Players

Celtic

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
SchmeichelGK900.000.0000.0211
Araujo RB610.030.3300.1372
TrustyCB900.100.0300.14106
ScalesCB9010.040.0710.1885
TierneyLB9010.070.7640.50125
EngelsCM9010.340.1620.0141
McGregorCM900.000.1310.0834
HatateCM610.190.1210.0440
YangRW7210.320.0910.1582
MaedaST7211.330.020−0.0300
TounektiLW720.130.2040.24120
DonovanDF290.000.0100.0112
NygrenMF2910.460.0310.0720
McCowanMF180.000.0410.0431
ForrestFW180.100.0000.0600
KennyFW180.060.0110.0120

Dundee United

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
RichardsGK900.000.0000.0320
NaamoRWB600.000.000−0.0104
SeveljCB780.000.0000.0116
GrahamCB900.000.0600.06220
KeresztesCB900.040.050−0.0249
FerryLWB900.000.1010.04310
StephensonCM900.000.0000.0007
SibbaldCM900.000.000−0.0312
CamaraCM460.000.000−0.0103
SapsfordST780.000.0210.0421
StirtonST600.300.0000.0500
FatahFW440.000.0000.0113
StrainMF300.000.0000.0020
TrapanovskiFW300.000.0500.0430
EskesenMF120.000.0100.0211
MöllerFW120.000.0000.0100

Starters, then substitutes in the order they came on. KP is chances created and Def defensive actions (tackles, blocks, clearances, and interceptions). xT is the expected threat added by the player's completed open-play passes and carries, and Prog counts progressive passes and carries.

Pass networks

Celtic

Scales and Engels: 8 passesSchmeichel and Trusty: 10 passesAraujo and Hatate: 10 passesScales and Tounekti: 10 passesTrusty and Engels: 10 passesScales and Hatate: 11 passesEngels and Hatate: 11 passesHatate and Yang: 11 passesTrusty and Hatate: 12 passesHatate and Tounekti: 12 passesSchmeichel and Scales: 14 passesTierney and Hatate: 14 passesScales and McGregor: 15 passesTierney and McGregor: 15 passesAraujo and Engels: 16 passesTrusty and McGregor: 16 passesEngels and Yang: 16 passesHatate and McGregor: 18 passesEngels and McGregor: 19 passesAraujo and Yang: 31 passesAraujo and McGregor: 34 passesScales and Trusty: 34 passesTierney and Tounekti: 37 passesScales and Tierney: 39 passesAraujo and Trusty: 42 passesSchmeichel: 25 completed passesAraujo: 76 completed passesScales: 79 completed passesTrusty: 71 completed passesTierney: 62 completed passesEngels: 45 completed passesHatate: 47 completed passesMcGregor: 70 completed passesYang: 29 completed passesMaeda: 8 completed passesTounekti: 35 completed passes1225663274142133823SchmeichelAraujoScalesTrustyTierneyEngelsHatateMcGregorYangMaedaTounektiStarters until 61' · lines join pairs with 8+ passes

Dundee United

Keresztes and Graham: 3 passesSevelj and Sibbald: 4 passesSevelj and Graham: 5 passesKeresztes and Camara: 5 passesGraham and Camara: 7 passesRichards: 3 completed passesNaamo: 2 completed passesSevelj: 8 completed passesKeresztes: 10 completed passesGraham: 11 completed passesFerry: 4 completed passesCamara: 8 completed passesStephenson: 2 completed passesSibbald: 7 completed passesSapsford: 3 completed passesStirton: 0 completed passes252252361182114934RichardsNaamoSeveljKeresztesGrahamFerryCamaraStephensonSibbaldSapsfordStirtonStarters until 46' · lines join pairs with 3+ passes

Each starter at the average position of their passes and receptions until the side's first substitution or red card, sized by completed passes. Lines join pairs who passed to each other often, thicker for more passes.

Passing combinations

Celtic

FromToPasses
TierneyTounekti26
ScalesTrusty25
ScalesTierney25
TrustyAraujo23
TierneyScales22

Dundee United

FromToPasses
KeresztesFerry8
GrahamKeresztes7
GrahamCamara5
FerryKeresztes5
SibbaldSevelj4

The five pairs with the most completed passes from one to the other over the whole match.

Defensive actions

Celtic

2−0.52−2.21−3.24−1.52−3.36+0.38−0.46−1.68+3.55+0.81−2.06+0.16+0.67+2.71−2.56+2.82−1.83−1.82−0.21−1.23+1.41−2.30−2.91+0.10−0.41+0.30−0.20−0.96−5.81−4.7FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 20 matches

Dundee United

3−2.213+5.228+10.613+5.45−0.34−2.94−4.58+0.18+0.13−4.11−4.63−1.82−3.10−6.53−3.32−1.440.01−2.12−2.32−1.70−2.23+1.21+0.10−2.10−1.81+0.40−0.41+0.20−0.41−0.1FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 21 matches

Where each side made its tackles, interceptions, clearances, blocks, recoveries, challenges, and fouls, attacking up the page. Areas are shaded by the difference from the side's average per match this season before this one: amber for more, blue for fewer.

Threat

Celtic

0.010.010.010.010.020.030.020.010.030.060.050.020.080.120.100.110.030.04−0.040.08−0.01−0.010.180.190.260.24LessMore

Dundee United

0.010.010.010.030.010.020.02−0.020.020.01−0.010.020.010.020.020.03−0.01−0.050.010.050.05LessMore

Expected threat added by completed open-play passes and carries, by where the move started, attacking up the page. Expected threat is the chance that possession in an area leads to a goal; a move adds the difference between where it ends and where it starts.

Ratings

0.51.01.52.02.5League average 1.32AttackCeltic2.13 → 2.17Dundee United1.16 → 1.13Defence (lower is better)Celtic0.86 → 0.84Dundee United1.46 → 1.50

The goals each side would score (attack) and concede (defence) per game against an average team, from the forecast ratings before this matchday (ring) and after it (dot); a lower defence number is better. Grey dots are the other clubs after the matchday, spread up and down only so they don't overlap. The change takes in the whole matchday.

League probabilities

ChanceBeforeWith this resultChange
Celtic
Title55%58%+3
Dundee United
Top six19%17%−2
11th2%2%0
Rangers
Title19%18%−1
Hearts
Title25%23%−2

From the forecast before the match (10 January 2026): each chance then, and across the simulations in which the match ended this way. The change is in percentage points.

Pre-match

As things stood before kick-off.

Forecast

CelticDundee United
Expected goals2.770.68
Win81%6%
Expected Points2.550.32
Clean sheet51%6%

Celtic 81%Draw 13%Dundee United 6%

Most likely score 2–0, 12%. Both sides score 46%.

Dundee United goalsCeltic goals0123456+0123456+3%2%9%6%2%8%3%8%3%8%5%2%4%3%1%3%2%12%11%

From the forecast as it stood on 10 January 2026: each side's attack and defence ratings in a Dixon–Coles score model, as on the Forecasts page.

League probabilities by result

ChanceNowCeltic winDrawDundee United win
Celtic
Title55%58%45%39%
Dundee United
Top six19%17%23%35%
11th2%2%2%1%
Rangers
Title19%18%23%28%
Hearts
Title25%23%30%31%

Each chance before the match and across the simulations ending in each result. Other teams are listed where a chance moves by at least 3 percentage points.

Form

Celtic

  1. L1–33 JanRangers (H)xG 2.34–1.44
  2. L0–230 DecMotherwell (A)xG 0.59–1.40
  3. W4–227 DecLivingston (A)xG 3.83–1.09
  4. W3–121 DecAberdeen (H)xG 4.72–0.91
  5. L1–217 DecDundee United (A)xG 3.20–1.45
  6. L1–27 DecHearts (H)xG 1.87–0.52

Dundee United

  1. L0–13 JanDundee FC (H)xG 1.50–1.83
  2. W3–130 DecLivingston (A)xG 3.25–0.45
  3. D1–127 DecAberdeen (A)xG 0.80–1.10
  4. D1–120 DecHibernian (H)xG 0.82–1.26
  5. W2–117 DecCeltic (H)xG 1.45–3.20
  6. D0–013 DecMotherwell (H)xG 0.49–0.68

The last six league matches, newest first, with xG for and against.

Season to date

CelticDundee United
Position3rd7th
Played2021
Won, drawn, lost12–⁠2–⁠65–⁠10–⁠6
Points38 (1.90 per game)25 (1.19 per game)
Expected Points per game2.081.13
Goals34–⁠2128–⁠30
xG per game2.28–⁠0.941.31–⁠1.67
Home: points, xG per game2.20, 2.80–⁠0.651.18, 1.36–⁠1.98
Away: points, xG per game1.60, 1.76–⁠1.231.20, 1.26–⁠1.32
ManagerMartin O'Neill (0)Jim Goodwin (71)

League matches this season before kick-off. The manager's number is league matches in charge since 2020/21.

Ratings

0.51.01.52.02.5League average 1.32AttackCeltic2.13, 1stDundee United1.16, 7thDefence (lower is better)Celtic0.86, 1stDundee United1.46, 9th

This season

Attack0.51.01.52.02.5SepOctNovDecJanCeltic attack: 2.13Dundee United attack: 1.162.131.16Dundee UnitedCelticDefence (lower is better)0.51.01.52.02.5SepOctNovDecJanCeltic defence: 0.86Dundee United defence: 1.461.460.86

The goals each side would score (attack) and concede (defence) per game against an average team, from the forecast ratings before this matchday, with their rank among the league's clubs; a lower defence number is better. Grey dots are the other clubs, spread up and down only so they don't overlap.

Strengths and weaknesses

CelticDundee United
CreatedConcededCreatedConceded
Open play+116%−43%−27%+34%
Counter-attacks−6%−40%+43%−20%
Set pieces−11%−17%+20%+5%
Penalties+26%−5%−10%+20%
Headers+74%−37%−19%+14%
Left side+85%−45%+18%+25%
Centre+81%−31%−20%+21%
Right side+17%−35%+2%+9%

xG created and conceded per game against the league average this season: +24% is 24% more than an average side. Left and right are each side's own, so chances conceded on its left come from opponents attacking down their right. Green favours the side and amber doesn't.

Matchups

Celtic attacking

Celtic createdDundee United concededLeft side+85%+9%Centre+81%+21%Right side+17%+25%Open play+116%+34%Counter-attacks−6%−20%Set pieces−11%+5%Headers+74%+14%

Dundee United attacking

Dundee United createdCeltic concededLeft side+18%−35%Centre−20%−31%Right side+2%−45%Open play−27%−43%Counter-attacks+43%−40%Set pieces+20%−17%Headers−19%−37%

Each side's xG created per game down each side of the pitch, through the centre, and from each type of chance, against what its opponent concedes there, both relative to the league average.

Season averages

CelticDundee United

2.28xG1.31
0.94xG against1.67
70%Possession42%
17.1Shots13.4
8.4Shots against16.2
5.5Shots on target4.7
3.9Big chances2.0
35.8Touches in the opposition box25.6
649Passes317
88%Pass accuracy69%
6.8Corners4.7
79%Field tilt38%
67.5Final-third entries32.0
21.6Box entries12.0
9.4Passes per defensive action13.3

Per league match this season before kick-off.

Game state this season

Celtic

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level442.270.80
Ahead302.221.10
Behind162.441.04

Dundee United

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level481.291.58
Ahead191.182.35
Behind241.451.31

xG by period

Celtic

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.390.136–4
16–300.380.086–1
31–450.430.194–3
46–600.290.274–8
61–750.270.134–4
76–900.520.1410–1

Dundee United

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.190.193–2
16–300.130.263–9
31–450.200.387–5
46–600.280.254–5
61–750.270.266–3
76–900.250.345–6

Per game this season, with stoppage time counted in its half; goals are totals for and against.

Most used players by position

Celtic

GKRBCBCBLBCMCMCMRWSTLWSchmeichel 19Sinisalo 1Ralston 7Yang 6Donovan 4Trusty 10Carter-Vickers 7Murray 2Scales 16Tierney 4Tierney 8Saracchi 7McCowan 3Engels 12Nygren 9McCowan 5McGregor 19Hatate 11Bernardo 3Nygren 4Maeda 3Ralston 3Kenny 8Maeda 5Iheanacho 3Maeda 8Tounekti 6Yang 34-3-3 in 15 of 20 starts

Formations: 4-3-3 (15), 3-4-2-1 (4), 3-4-3 (1)

Dundee United

GKCBCBCBRWBCMCMLWBRWSTLWKucherenko 12Richards 9Iovu 16Camara 1Stephenson 1Esselink 18Graham 5Keresztes 19Stephenson 11Strain 5Naamo 2Sevelj 14Sibbald 14Camara 9Stephenson 4Ferry 18Keresztes 1Naamo 1Dolcek 7Sapsford 6Fatah 3Sapsford 10Watters 5Möller 4Fatah 11Sapsford 5Dolcek 23-4-3 in 11 of 21 starts

Formations: 3-4-3 (11), 3-5-2 (4), 3-4-2-1 (3), 4-3-3 (2), 4-2-3-1 (1)

This season's most used formation, with up to three players who started most often in each position and their league starts there. Underneath, when a side has used more than one, every formation with its starts.

Head to head

DateHomeAwayxG
17 December 2025Dundee United2–1CelticxG 1.45–3.20
26 April 2025Dundee United0–5CelticxG 0.44–3.06
15 February 2025Celtic3–0Dundee UnitedxG 1.64–0.16
8 January 2025Celtic2–0Dundee UnitedxG 1.74–0.16
22 December 2024Dundee United0–0CelticxG 0.10–1.00
29 January 2023Dundee United0–2CelticxG 0.33–2.91

15 league meetings since 2020/21: Celtic won 10, Dundee United won 1, and 4 were drawn. Goals 36–6 and xG 2.72–0.55 per game.

Key players

Celtic

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Kenny8659420.910.06
Nygren131,167830.540.30
Maeda161,416650.500.20
Forrest2457100.260.36

Dundee United

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Watters7519110.500.10
Sapsford211,709610.340.09
Dolcek10866510.270.13
Fatah141,217430.200.14

Up to four players a side with the most xG plus xA per 90 minutes, from those with at least 450 league minutes.