Jim Goodwin has lauded his Dundee United players for “running through brick walls” amid a “crazy” run of seven games in three weeks.
And he reckons his fellow managers are of a similar mind.
The Tangerines boss watched his side succumb to a 2-0 defeat against Celtic, with Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate striking for the Hoops, who also hit the bar courtesy of an Auston Trusty header.
And Goodwin readily concedes that some players within his group are “really struggling” as they approach a crucial showdown with St Mirren on Saturday. After that, a nine-day break prior to facing Dundee will be most welcome.
“Saturday will our seventh game in 20 days and it’s just a crazy amount of fixtures for any player to face,” said Goodwin.
“We’ve got players who are really struggling and we are trying to protect players and avoid injuries. The players aren’t robots and, although we give them everything for their recovery process, they aren’t at 100%.
“It’s physically not possible to be at peak condition yet my players are running through brick walls for us. They never threw the towel in or stopped fighting.
“Given the volume of games we’ve had, the return of points in those games – beating Aberdeen, three wins in a row, 10 points after playing Celtic twice – is decent.”
He added: “I would imagine I’m not the only manager concerned by the volume of games. Our players are averaging 11km or 12km a game. Add that up over seven games in three weeks and it’s a hell of a lot.”
Goodwin rings the changes
Given Goodwin previously conceded that he would have “one eye on St Mirren”, it was little surprise to see the United gaffer ring the changes.
Sam Dalby dropping to the bench was the most eye-catching of five alterations, with Ryan Strain, Luca Stephenson, Kevin Holt and Miller Thomson also dropping out from the side that succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Hearts on Sunday.
Jort van der Sande, Ross Graham, Glenn Middleton, Kristijan Trapanovski and Kai Fotheringham all came into the side, with the visitors lining up in a 4-5-1.
David Babunski missed out altogether, while Sam Cleall-Harding was on the bench following his return from loan at Kelty Hearts.
A sloppy opener
Celtic, who were hit with a pre-match blow when Nicolas Kuhn had to be replaced by Hyunjin Yang, carved out their first clear chance with 13 minutes on the clock, with Trusty rattling the bar with a thundering header from Arne Engels’ corner.
However, the hosts wouldn’t have long to wait for the breakthrough.
A clumsy exchange of passes between Richard Odada and Vicko Sevelj on the edge of the United box resulted in the latter surrendering possession to Luke McCowan. Jack Walton could only parry McCowan’s shot as far as Maeda, who rifled home.
With holding firm such a priority; a poor goal to concede.
Another effort by the dangerous Engels was deflected narrowly over the bar – but United managed to shut up shop until the interval.
A much improved second period
The purple-clad Tangerines replaced Sevelj with Docherty at the break, but the pattern of the game initially remained the same. Once again, Engels tried his luck from the edge of the box, fizzing a drive narrowly wide of Walton’s post.
A couple of corners in quick succession followed by a Glenn Middleton shot from 30 yards which cleared the cross-bar represented United’s brightest spell of the contest. A brief VAR check for a possible Terrors penalty also came to nothing.
The Premiership’s top scorer Dalby and Stephenson entered the fray on the cusp of the hour-mark as Goodwin gradually introduced more of his recognised starters.
However, it was the Hoops who almost doubled their advantage when an Engels corner found the head of Kyogo, only for the Japanese international’s near-post header to be saved by Walton.
The finishing touches
United, showing far more ambition in the second period, finally warmed the gloves of Kasper Schmeichel with Middleton’s surge down the left and powerful shot.
Although the visitors crafted a couple of threatening moments – one Will Ferry long throw flashing across the face of goal – it was Celtic who made the game safe with seven minutes left on the clock when Hatate swept home from 14 yards.
Goodwin added: “The supporters’ reaction to the players at the end of the game was really pleasing to see. They appreciate everything the players are giving us at the moment.”
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