Dundee United secured European football next season as they gave SPL champions Celtic a rare taste of defeat.
The tenacious Tangerines bounced back from their midweek mauling at the hands of the other half of the Old Firm with a performance full of true grit and enormous discipline.
Scott Robertson scored the only goal of the contest in the 21st minute with a decisive header his first counter in a United jersey against Celtic.
With St Johnstone losing against Hearts, United have cemented fourth place in the SPL and will be playing European football again next season.
It was a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for Peter Houston’s men after conceding five against Rangers on Wednesday night in Govan, a performance the Tannadice boss described as embarrassing.
However, after Sunday’s win in the final home game of the season he admitted: ”I am proud of the players. I said I was hoping for a reaction and I think I got it.
”I think we were very hard working. We restricted Celtic mostly to shots from outwith the box. I am delighted with the result and I’m proud of the players.”
The manager who also discussed the financial pressures facing clubs in the wake of the Rangers crisis added: ”That’s us secured European football, which is incredible considering our start to the season.
”Our budget is going to be a bit lower again next season and it looks like I will have to rebuild again. But that’s football and I wish the boys who are going to move on the best of luck.”
One of those likely to fall into that category is match-winner Robertson.
He has been offered a new deal by United but he has made no secret of his desire to play down south. However, he admitted that there is still a chance he will decide to stay at Tannadice.
He said: ”This is the first time I have been in the team when we have beaten Celtic. So it is my first victory against them and to score the winning goal was a sweet bonus and I am delighted.
”It is possibly my last goal at Tannadice as well so it was a good way to sign off if that is the case. But nothing has been settled yet. I will sit down with my wife, my family, my agent and the manager here and discuss what’s going to happen next season.
”The offer is still on the table if I want to stay here. If it’s best for me and my family to do that, then that’s what I’ll be doing.
”European football is a bonus, especially considering the way we started the season. It is a pretty good achievement and an incentive for boys to stay.
”I have been here for four years and have enjoyed every minute of it. I would like another challenge but, if that’s not the case, then I would be happy to stay.”