Celtic let go of a two goal second half lead to earn a draw with Dundee United at Celtic Park on Saturday. Georgios Samaras was able to get off of his goal scoring slump and put Celtic ahead early in the 12th minute after heading in a Shunsuke Nakamura cross. Thirteen minutes into the second half, Samaras doubled his goal total for the day when again he played a Nakamura cross into the back of the net, this time off of a free kick. Celtic took a 2-0 lead in the 58th minute and seemed destine to be gaining another tough three points. However, by most accounts, Gordon Strachan put into place a variety of questionable substitutions that seemed to have cost Celtic game, as noted by Celtic Offside Commentor Ryan Liddel. Mr. Liddel questioned the three subs of Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Paul Caddis, and Koki Mizuno for Georgios Samaras, Mark Wilson, and Shunsuke Nakamura respectively. In the second half, the midfield seemed to have dissapeared, but this seems to be the move of Barry Robson from a center mid to right back.

Whatever the reason, United was first able to get a goal back when Paul Dixion sent a great free kick into the net after being fouled by Stephen McManus at the hour mark. United now had confidence and the momentum and in the 77th minute Warren Freeney leveled United. As time expired on a frustraiting second half, most Celtic fans sensed that two points had just slipped away from the league lead.

While this was certainly a game that Celtic probably should have won and had a great chance to, there is no shame in losing to Dundee United. United now have four draws in their four meetings with the Glasgow Giants of the SPL. The Arabs seem destined to be slotted for the final Europe spot for the SPL. While the lead for the league was reduced to five points after Rangers beat Caley on Sunday, it is still a lead. Most of Celtic’s first team will also have a chance for a week off and some youngsters will probably get a run out next weekend, as Celtic take on United’s neighbor’s Dundee in the Scottish Cup.

The final topic to touch on from Saturday’s activities was the noticeable absence of Aiden McGeady from the squad. Not only was McGeady not in the starting lineup, he was not on the bench either. Hmmm. Gordon Strachan said that McGeady was missing from the squad Saturday because of the rest of the team’s form. You mean the team that squeaked out a win at Ibrox, drew with Hearts, and lost to Hibs? You don’t say, Ginger Baws…