Martin O'Neill admits turning Celtic playmaker into makeshift right back didn't 'materialise' after Dundee United defeat
The Celtic boss regretted a few second half adjustments he made to his side at Tannadice while chasing an equaliser.
Martin O’Neill was gracious in defeat after his Hoops side lost out 2-0 to Dundee United, while putting the result partly down to a tactical error he made in the second half.
On a patchy Tannadice surface, Celtic struggled to get a foothold in the game as second half goals from Will Ferry and Emmanuel Agyei gave Dundee United a well-earned home victory. The result means The Hoops have now blinked in the title race after their fellow title contenders won their games. Celtic now sit five points behind league leaders Hearts and two adrift of Rangers.
Dundee United had 19 shots on goal - the most Celtic have faced in a game all season - perfectly highlighting where it all went wrong for The Hoops. Perhaps for the first time this season, O’Neill’s tactics have been scrutinised as he opted to move midfielder Reo Hatate to right back after an injury to Colby Donovan. The Japan International was caught out of position for United’s second of the afternoon - the goal which put an end to the Hoops boss’ previous 100% win record against The Tangerines.
Hatate at right-back didn’t ‘materialise’
After the match, O’Neill told Sky Sports: “We changed things around, putting Rio to right back. Maybe he had done that once before in an emergency, but it was really to get some other creative players in the field. It didn't materialise, we just didn't create enough.
“Certainly in the last couple of months we've shown a really great spirit and determination to fight back in matches, to go on and maybe create goals, such things like this year. But the fighting determination I thought was kind of a hallmark of us. I felt that was missing in the second half today.”
The sorry state of the Tannadice surface was by no means an excuse for the visitors, however it did have a negative impact at times in terms of their build up play. O’Neill admitted the hosts adapted to the conditions better than his side and that Celtic didn’t create enough to win the game.
Lack of creativity cost Hoops
He continued: “I thought we had a lot of possession in the first half. We seemed to be camped outside their penalty area. We weren't able to penetrate the team and very much so in the second half. We lost our way completely.
“I think that the first goal was going to be vital in the game. We probably didn't create enough and maybe didn't adjust to the conditions, particularly in the second half. But that's taking nothing away from Dundee United. They deserve to win.
“You know this was always going to be a difficult game for us - away here at Tannadice. I've never had an easy game here, ever. So yes, it is a setback. At this particular time of the season, we can't really afford to do that, but we're not finished yet.”
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