“The atmosphere in here was a lot better than what it was a week prior,” Jim Goodwin
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin and Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill at full time during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on January 10, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin has given his verdict following his side’s 4-0 defeat to Celtic yesterday afternoon as Celtic ultras tell Michael Nicholson to own his failures and resign…
Daizen Maeda of Celtic celebrates with team mates after scoring past Dundee United goalkeeper David Richards to give Celtic a 4-0 lead. Celtic v Dundee United, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 10 January 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock
Strikes from Yang, Arne Engels, Benjamin Nygren and Daizen Maeda capped a convincing afternoon for Martin O’Neill as he marked a memorable return to the Celtic Park touchline.
The result lifted Celtic back ahead of theRangers and to within three points of table-toppers Hearts, who are both in action today, while also drawing a line under the disastrous 33-day spell under the hapless Wilfried Nancy, who was Michael Nicholson’s first choice pick to replace elite level manager Brendan Rodgers.
Those Celtic supporters who didn’t reckon Rodgers was an elite level manager got a 33-day lesson in what a coach NOT at that level really looks like. Yesterday the Celtic ultras, a mixture of Bhoys Celtic and Green Brigade had this message shown below for the Celtic CEO relating to his appointment of Wilfried Nancy.
Images of Celtic Park on Saturday 10 January 2026. Celtic 4 Dundee Utd 0. Photo The Celtic Star
For Dundee United, it’s back-to-back defeats and remain seventh in the Premiership on 25 points after 22 matches played.
Tangerines boss Goodwin gave his thoughts after a disappointing day at Celtic Park: “We always knew today’s fixture was going to be difficult,” he said via The Herald.
“We know the quality Celtic have got but obviously the change in management has given the players and home supporters a real lift because the atmosphere in here was a lot better than what it was a week prior.”
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin and Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill at full time during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on January 10, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Goodwin added: “They’re playing a formation and a system that the players are familiar with, and one that suits the squad they’ve got. When you come here you know you’re going to be starved of possession at times and you have to really show a bit of resilience in and around your penalty area and I think today there’s lots of areas within the goals we’ve conceded we could’ve done a lot better. When you give Celtic a two goal advantage it becomes a mountain to climb.”
“When you come here you have to do the basics well defensively, at times you need your goalkeeper to make saves and when you get half chances you’ve got to be clinical and take them, we couldn’t do that today.”
🟢 Celtic produced a dominant performance to beat Dundee Utd 4-0, as Martin O’Neill returned to the dugout again ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/8pIY1SQ3lN
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) January 10, 2026
Reflecting Julian Araujo’s tackle on Will Ferry in the first half which resulted in a yellow card for the Mexican, Goodwin commented: “I thought the Celtic defender was a little bit out of control.”
“Will Ferry took a real sore one, VAR seemed to skim over it pretty quickly so if they’re satisfied with it then it’s fine.”
🗣️ “Coming to Celtic Park at the best of times is never easy”
🗣️ “The goals, all four of them, are very avoidable”
🗣️ “We have to move on now”Jim Goodwin reflects on Dundee United’s loss away to Celtic ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/xRYadhy7R5
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) January 10, 2026
Conor Spence
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This January window period, was never going to be easy to negotiate, with the amount of complications involved within it imo?
Was the case, long before January even came upon ourselves. Hampered by the injury situation, along with the potential amount of want away players.
So for MoN, possibly has to address those situations, to help himself upon the decision making process that’s also required, within the squad building process for the remainder of this season?
A returning Saracchi and kelchi helps boost 2 positions.
Still a place available for another CB, possibly right side, especially with Murray not seeming to be making a strong enough claim for the position, for whatever reason?
Still potentially looking for clarity upon the Maeda and Yang situation also?
Personally don’t believe that we are in a position to lose either imo?
Still not seeing a future for Paulo, any longer with ourselves imo?
So potentially need cover for calmac and Engels within the set up of the team, within that position also.
Still don’t believe that nygren or McCowan are suitable options on the right side, especially when both seem more effective in the central midfield role, that Hatate occupied yesterday?
Balikwisha hasn’t even started to get going for ourselves yet, and still not convinced he even will either?
With not expecting much if anything from jota this season, then potentially another wide option is required, especially if Maeda is going to be used more so, in the striker role if he stays?
Also, consideration has to be given to the europa league campaign? Potentially another victory from our 2 remaining games, and we could find ourselves into the knockout phase?
Only 3 changes will be potentially available to the original named squad, and already Julian looks like being 1 of those changes?
So this nonsense of thinking that when we come calling, that players are queuing up to sign for ourselves, is just that,nonsense.
MoN and Maloney are going to have to work out a structured approach, where each player knows there role within the squad.
Even at that, we don’t know of the availability and time lines involved for certain players?
Then it’s about plugging the gaps that’s available within the squad.
Even the striker position, could have Maeda, Kelchi and Kenny available for the remainder of this season, in a few weeks time?
Do MoN and Maloney think that sufficient for the remainder of this season?
That’s a decision for themselves to be making, hopefully for our benefit?