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Scottish Premier League: Dundee Utd 1-2 Celtic A few more games like this would work wonders for Scottish football's ailing reputation. A last-minute winner, the earlier reversal of a decision to award Celtic a penalty, eight bookings and seven minutes of stoppage time tell only part of the story of this rousing affair on Tayside. Even if Celtic win next weekend's Old Firm encounter, the post-match scenes are unlikely to prove as jubilant as they were here.The afternoon threatened to be overshadowed by controversy. Dougie McDonald awarded Celtic a 70th-minute penalty after the Dundee United goalkeeper Dusan Pernis clashed with Gary Hooper. That decision was overturned by the referee after consultation with his assistant, Steven Craven, much to Celtic's indignation. Neil Lennon, the Celtic manager, received a stern talking to from McDonald while a lighter was thrown from an area housing visiting supporters as a mêlée raged on and off the pitch."I'm very proud of the team," Lennon said later. "Despite a controversial decision, a very controversial decision, going against us, we never let our heads drop." On the overturned penalty Lennon said: "He [McDonald] has given the penalty. To me he can't change his mind. From where I was, he had a really good look at it. His explanation was that the linesman had a better view of it. I find that unacceptable. He looked pretty adamant to me that he was giving the penalty."Lennon obviously is not an advocate of team work between officials. Craven's intervention seemed justified, even if the referee's failure to award a spot-kick as Garry Kenneth held Hooper was more questionable. That occurred a moment before the game's major talking point, meaning McDonald could have contrived to get two penalty decisions wrong in the space of three seconds.Hooper's second goal of the afternoon, a minute from the end of normal time, meant not all of the post-match talk surrounded matters relating to the rules. Not all, but the majority, with even United's manager Peter Houston airing public grievances."I thought Dougie McDonald was very inconsistent," Houston said. "He is quite quick to give penalties against us. [The Celtic midfielder] Ki [Sung-Yueng] should have been booked for diving, for trying to win another penalty kick."In the end Celtic deserved to claim and got their three points. Hooper had – who looks quite a catch at just £1.6m from Scunthorpe United – clipped home an early opener from a fine Mark Wilson cross. Georgios Samaras should have settled matters, but failed to convert a glorious chance after rounding Pernis.United's equaliser had an element of fortune, David Goodwillie's shot taking a significant deflection off Glenn Loovens on its way beyond Fraser Forster. Hooper chipped narrowly over and Joe Ledley cracked a post as Celtic chased a winner. It arrived in scrappy circumstances, Hooper scoring from close-range after a Georgios Samaras header landed in his path."Celtic celebrated as if they had won the league," said Houston. "The next time we score a goal, I'm going to go charging 30 yards down the track like the entire Celtic backroom staff did."That highlighted their relief. Celtic will host Rangers next week with each team boasting 100% SPL records. Glasgow derbies rarely need extra edge but, on this occasion, the stage really has been set.Man of the match Gary Hooper (Celtic)Scottish Premier LeagueDundee UnitedCelticEwan Murrayguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |