Dundee Utd 0-2 Celtic: Bobo’s Return

By: JT | December 27th, 2007

Bobo Balde’s return to the center of the Celtic defense coincided with the Bhoys’ first clean sheet on the road in over a year. After WGS publicly called out the back four following a wretched run of six points in five league matches, Balde was tapped for the first time since he broke his leg exactly a year ago. The towering Guinean was everywhere, winning headers, and not looking a stride off the pace. While some of Bobo’s antics off the pitch have been less than professional, its great to see that he’s still match fit and capable of making a difference, because the squad clearly needed help at the back.

A thrilling, end-to-end first half miraculously ended scoreless, and saw numerous opportunities for both clubs. Good, open football was being played when Aiden McGeady’s deflected cross into the box found Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, whose perfect layoff for Jiri Jarosik was crushed high and wide by the big Czech midfielder. He really should have done much, much better.

Barry Robson practically shot a hole through the bar from almost forty yards for the Tangerines, while Big Jan’s header from a perfect Paul Hartley corner hit the underside of the bar.

Another exquisite Hartley corner connected with the lanky Dutchman’s grape, and Celtic finally got on the board in the 68th minute. Big Jan’s reaction showed how frustrated he’s been lately, having struggled for form and seeing Scott McDonald usurp his role as top striker for the club.

Six minutes later, Celtic got their second on another set piece when Hartley’s delivery was flicked on by the newly platinum Massimo Donati, and chested into the net by the Captain, Stephen McManus.

Celtic almost added a third after good interplay on the right flank between McGeady and Scott Brown resulted in Brown’s shot smashing off the outside of Dundee’s post.

The Bhoys grabbed back the top spot from Rangers with the win, although the Huns still have two games in hand. With world class keeper Artur Boruc getting closer to his return from minor knee surgery, and the presence of a rejuvenated Bobo Balde in front of him, Celtic’s defense will be looking to shut teams down like they should.

Next up is Gretna on Saturday followed by the derby of derbies on January 2 at Celtic Park.

Here are the extended highlights of the win at Dundee Utd, they’re well worth viewing.