Lee Naylor (yeah, that’s not a typo) saves the day

By: Matt | March 23rd, 2009

I’m sure Lee Naylor is a nice guy. He’s obviously got a thick skin, as he’s been the object of ridicule of Celtic fans for a few years now. Neither the most fundamentally sound defender nor the most proficient crosser of the ball, both skills are what make of the skill set of a, you know, left back, which Naylor is. The left back position has long been highlighted as the weakest area in the Celtic squad by most pundits and punters alike. However, it seems that every dog has its day and other corny cliches like that. Naylor’s Larsson-like volley in the 81st minute was a thing of beauty. While that is where the comparisons between the King of Kings and Naylor end, his strike was enough to get Celtic a draw against Dundee United.

Celtic seemed to control the first half with ease. The Bhoys created chances and controlled possession throughout the half. The pressure finally payed off in the 23rd minute when Scott McDonald finally got the first goal of the match. Future Celtic keeper Lukasz Zaluska initially was able to save the first header off of the corner, but like he does so well, McDonald was in the right place at the right time and put the ball into the back of the net. McDonald had another chance later in the first half that forced Zaluska to make a good save. Aiden McGeady also had a great chance on net, but forced the shot wide. Celtic seemed to be controlling the match though and well on their way to extending their lead in the SPL over Rangers to five points.

Unfortunately no one told Dundee United about these plans, as the Tangerines came out on a mission in the 2nd half. While United have not beat Celtic in 40 some matches, they have come from behind in both previous matches against Celtic this year to earn a draw. United continued that trend this game in the 47th minute when Paul Dixon’s corner found Francisco Sandaza and was headed past Artur Boruc. The home side continued on the attack and just 11 minutes later Sandaza doubled his goal total when he fired home the ball to give his side the lead. It seemed that Celtic went from going 5 points up on Rangers to dropping to only 2 points ahead of their city rivals in a matter of 11 minutes.

Celtic however would not waiver and would at least earn a draw. The Bhoys kept the pressure up in the closing minutes of the match and finally drew even in the 81st minute when Gary Kenneth (perhaps the ugliest man in Scottish football)’s wayward header found Lee Naylor and Naylor created the goal that would spawn thousands of youtube hits.

Dundee United are a tough team and while Celtic had an opportunity to put more ground between themselves and Rangers in the SPL race, keeping the same distance will have to due. While Celtic have struggling to find consistency, the optimist in me looks to the fact that while Celtic have earned four points in the last two matches in two road matches, Rangers have only earned one point in two home matches. So yeah, hurray lowered expectations.

Dundee Utd: Zaluska, Kovacevic, Wilkie, Kenneth, Dixon, Wesolowski (David Robertson 87), Buaben, Gomis, Conway (Swanson 83), Feeney (Daly 84), Sandaza.

Booked: Feeney(what a wanker, what a wanker!).

Goals: Sandaza 47, 58.

Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, O’Dea, Naylor, Nakamura (Flood 61), Hartley, Scott Brown, McGeady, McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink (Samaras 75).

Booked: McDonald.

Goals: McDonald 24, Naylor 81.

Scott McDonald’s goal:

Celtic Highlights by Eighteen88 – Watch Rate and Share Celtic Videos

Lee Naylor’s goal:

Celtic Highlights by Eighteen88 – Watch Rate and Share Celtic Videos

(goals courtesy of perhaps the best Celtic site out there, eighteen88.com!)