CELTS SLIP IS SHOWING; They blow a 2-goal lead to let United in PREMIER LEAGUE.

Byline: MARK GUIDI reports

CELTIC 2

DUNDEE UTD 2

CELTIC blew a chance to go 10 points clear of Rangers by throwing away a two-goal lead - and were lucky to escape with even a draw.

A Georgios Samaras double looked to have sealed victory but Craig Levein's men fought back superbly with goals from Paul Dixon and sub Warren Feeney.

And United thoroughly deserved at least a point as they dominated after the interval.

The Tannadice club have now gone four games unbeaten against the Old Firm this term and their impressive display after the break will give them a huge confidence boost.

However, Celts should have had victory wrapped up in a first half when they wasted several good chances.

United came in to this game without a win at Parkhead in 17 years but their recent form was excellent after losing just one of their previous 17 matches.

Levein knew his players would have to do well to keep that good run going and they were under pressure from the off yesterday.

Scott Brown failed to hit the target with a good early chance before Samaras sawa lovely chip drift a yard over.

However, the Greek wasn't to be denied in 12 minutes when Celtic took the lead.

Brown took advantage of slack play from Lee Wilkie and robbed him of possession on the left of United's penalty area.

Samaras had cleverly peeled off his marker and sent a 17-yard shot low past Lukasz Zaluska from the midfielder's perfect pass.

It was a fine finish and there was nothing Zaluska - who has signed a pre-contract deal with the Hoops - could do about it.

Brown deserves enormous credit for his part in the goal and the former Hibs star delivered another good performance after impressing in last week's Old Firm victory.

His energy levels were different class and he won possession all over the park with welltimed tackles and sheer determination.

Celtic continued to press and Shunsuke Nakamura tested Zaluska with a strike from 15 yards. Barry Robson also came close but there wasn't much else to trouble United in the first half.

Celtic's passing became a bit sloppy and that affected their ability to penetrate.

However, Artur Boruc was redundant at the other end as United struggled to create chances in a 4-5-1 formation.

The impressive Scott Robertson had a shot on goal but the keeper didn't need to work as the ball went past a post.

Jon Daly was up front on his own and struggled to put Gary Caldwell and Stephen McManus under any pressure.

The striker needed more supput port and that was something Levein addressed at half-time.

United penned in the Hoops at the start of the second half with some good passing as their midfield took control.

But they struggled to test Boruc again and Celtic punished them with their first attack of the half. Nakamura swung over a lovely free-kick after 58 minutes and Samaras got above Wilkie to head home.

Celtic looked to be home and dry but the game was blown wide open just two minutes later.

McManus fouled Morgaro Gomis and Dixon sent a 20-yard free-kick over the wall in to Boruc's top left-hand corner. It was a goal to be proud off as the full-back beautifully executed his left-foot strike.

United came close to an equaliser four minutes later.

McManus cleared off the line after Feeney nipped in ahead of Boruc to take advantage of a short passback from Robson.

The striker should have scored but opted for accuracy rather than power from 10 yards.

Feeney came on just after Dixon's goal and Danny Swanson reacted with petulance when he made way for the Ulsterman.

That didn't go down well with Arabs No.2 Peter Houston who supput the youngster firmly in his place. And Feeney fully justified his inclusion in 76 minutes with a controversial equaliser.

United were awarded a throw-in in front of the Celtic dugout and Gordon Strachan went ballistic as he was sure it came off a Tangerine shirt last.

The ball then made its way up to Daly and Feeney prodded home his flick from 12 yards to cap United's comeback.

Celtic almost scored a third through Robson but his shot was cleared off the line by Dixon.

That helped ensure the Hoops dropped two important points and there's still a long way to go in the title race.

But it will be a shock if this United side don't finish third.

REF WATCH

STEVE CONROY had to deal with one major incident at United's equaliser. The whistler originally gave a throw-in to Celtic only to change his mind on the say-so of his assistant. That made him look weak as he appeared to call it right first time. Rating: 5/10.

MATCH STATS

Shots on 5

Shots off 4

Offside 1

Fouls 8

Corners 3

Bookings 1

Shots on 3

Shots off 2

Offside 5

Fouls 14

Corners 8

Bookings 1

CAPTION(S):

Waging War: Tannadice substitute Warren Feeney nips in ahead of Celtic defender Gary Caldwell to fire the ball past keeper Artur Boruc and cap United's stunning comeback from two goals down; Stooping to conquer: Samaras gets to Shunsuke Nakamura's free-kick ahead of Lee Wilkie to head Celtic's second; Set-piece saviour: Hero Dixon celebrates; Touch of class: Celtic hitman Samaras strokes home the opener