THE Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara downplayed the idea of his team being genuine SPFL Premiership title contenders despite beating champions Celtic 2-1 to move into second place in the table.
Only four points separate Celtic and United, who are ahead of Aberdeen on goal difference, after 17 games. United's first defeat of Celtic since May, 2012, was delivered when Nadir Ciftci and Stuart Armstrong capitalised on poor defending before Leigh Griffiths pulled a late goal back in an eventful match at Tannadice.
McNamara was asked if United should be considered as potential champions: "It's still too early to say that. We have to be more consistent. We need this same level of energy and desire every week. Today we also had bits of luck. "I did think Celtic might be further head [in the league] by now with the resources they have. Competing with that is very difficult.
"If something is not working they can go and spend a few million, which they did in the summer, and then then sit that player on the bench. We're developing youth or bringing players in. It doesn't get any easier. You always feel a bit of caution against Celtic, especially when you look at the subs they could bring on: a £3m striker [Stefan Scepovic], a guy who scored 31 goals last year [Kris Commons] and Griffiths, who managed to get a goal.
"I thought we were depleted going into the game and I worried about our fitness. A few are carrying bugs and Calum Butcher hasn't trained, yet he was brilliant with his discipline and energy. Throughout the team I thought we were excellent, putting bodies on the line. We got bit of luck, too."
Celtic lacked quality although they should have had a penalty for a foul on John Guidetti and Stefan Scepovic was wrongly ruled offside when he scored in the second half. When Armstrong was asked if United could push Celtic he replied "I don't see why not."
The Celtic manager, Ronny Deila, also paid his respects to United before criticising his own team's poor defending and finishing. "They are among the four best teams," said Deila. "You have Aberdeen, Dundee United, Inverness and us, that's the four teams that are competing for the championship. We can't give them such easy goals as we did. "It's the third or fourth match now that we have created eight to 14 chances and when you score one goal that is way too little. Again we have to be more effective at putting the ball into the net. You can talk about play, but if you don't score you lose games."
Guidetti was one of numerous anonymous performers for Celtic and after his fourth game in a row without a goal Deila admitted he may consider resting him.
"There is one thing you have to remember with John Guidetti: he hadn't played football for two years before he came here. He started very well and now he has had a little dip. That is because he has to be physically stronger and play matches over time.
"All strikers go through periods like this. Would leaving him out help? We will see. I don't think he would think that was the right option."
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