DUNDEE—On April 26, 2025, Tannadice Park crackled with tension as Dundee United squared off against Celtic in a Scottish Premiership clash that could crown the champions. A single point would wrap up Celtic’s 13th title in 14 years, but United, scrappy and fourth in the table, weren’t about to roll over. The match, broadcast live on BBC Scotland’s Sportsound and Sky Sports Football, delivered a masterclass in high-stakes football, with every tackle and pass carrying the weight of a season’s ambitions.
Celtic’s starting eleven, announced hours before kickoff, leaned on seasoned hands: Viljami Sinisalo in goal, a backline of Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, and Greg Taylor, with Callum McGregor anchoring midfield alongside Reo Hatate and Arne Engels. Up top, Nicolas Kühn, Daizen Maeda, and Jota formed a fearsome attacking trio. Dundee United, meanwhile, countered with a gritty setup, missing defender Ross Graham and Liverpool loanee Luca Stephenson, sidelined by a double hernia. Vicko Sevelj, back from a two-game absence, bolstered their ranks.
The game exploded early. By the 30th minute, Jota had Celtic ahead, slotting home a clinical finish to make it 0-1. Nine minutes later, Kühn doubled the lead, his strike sending the traveling fans into a frenzy. Just before halftime, Kühn struck again, a blistering shot in stoppage time that left United reeling at 0-3. The scoreline, flashed across BBC’s live text updates, told a story of Celtic’s relentless precision against a United side struggling to find their footing.
United’s recent form—three straight 1-0 league wins—had raised hopes of an upset. Their last victory over Celtic, a 2-1 thriller in December 2016, lingered as a faint memory for Tangerines fans. But Celtic’s dominance in this fixture was stark: unbeaten in 22 meetings, with clean sheets in the last four league clashes. United hadn’t scored against the Hoops in their past four encounters, including a goalless draw in December 2024 and two losses earlier this season.
Celtic’s road form, though, offered a glimmer of hope for United. After rattling off 10 consecutive away wins from April to December 2024, the champions had stumbled, managing just three victories in their last eight away games, with two draws and three losses. United, by contrast, had been defensively stout, conceding sparingly at home, where only Rangers, Aberdeen, and Celtic had earned more points this season.
As the second half unfolded, United pushed to claw back, their fans roaring with every forward surge. Celtic, however, stayed disciplined, their defense marshaled by Carter-Vickers, who’d been a brick wall in prior meetings. BBC Radio Scotland’s commentators noted United’s resilience but flagged their lack of cutting edge against a side chasing history. A draw would seal Celtic’s title, their fourth straight Premiership crown, and manager Brendan Rodgers’ 11th trophy with the club, making him the most decorated living manager in Celtic’s storied history.
Off the pitch, the stakes were just as high. A Celtic win or draw would spark celebrations at Tannadice, a ground where they’d clinched titles in 1987, 2008, and 2022. For United, a victory could reignite their push for third place, with Hibernian and Aberdeen within striking distance. The match stats, updated live on BBC Sport, showed Celtic’s control—higher possession, more shots on target—but United’s dogged spirit kept the contest alive.
Dundee United’s injury woes included no Yang Hyun-jun or Kasper Schmeichel for Celtic, both sidelined with elbow and shoulder issues, respectively. United’s manager, Jim Goodwin, had urged his side to channel their defensive solidity, which had delivered 11 clean sheets in 32 games this season, second only to Celtic and Rangers.
By the final whistle, the outcome would either cement Celtic’s iron grip on Scottish football or give United a historic scalp. Fans across Scotland, glued to radios and screens, awaited the verdict from Tannadice.