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Celtic win puts pressure back on Rangers

  • Story Highlights
  • Celtic returned to the top of the Scottish Premier League ahead of Rangers
  • They secured a nervy 2-1 win over spirited Dundee United at Parkhead
  • Rangers go to Hibernian on Wednesday hoping to recapture the top spot
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(CNN) -- Celtic returned to the top of the Scottish Premier League after a nervy 2-1 win over spirited Dundee United at Parkhead.

A first-half header from defender Glenn Loovens and a deflected Georgios Samaras strike seven minutes after the break had appeared to take the game beyond the Tannadice men.

However, Craig Levein's side showed commendable spirit and David Robertson's strike after 57 minutes ensured a tension-filled finale.

Defending champions Celtic hung on and are now a point ahead of big rivals Rangers who play at Hibernian on Wednesday.

It was a far from convincing performance from Gordon Strachan's side but they will care little and all the pressure returns to the blue side of Glasgow.

Celtic forged ahead after 21 minutes through Loovens after United skipper Lee Wilkie had conceded a corner defending an Andreas Hinkel cross.

Shunsuke Nakamura flighted the ball into a busy six-yard box and the big Dutchman rose highest to flick the ball past Zaluska.

The game seemed over in the 52nd minute when Samaras made it 2-0 with a fortuitous goal.

Brown combined with McDonald to set up the Greece international 20 yards from goal but his shot initially appeared harmless until it took a clear deflection off Wilkie to wrong-foot Zaluska.

In the 55th minute, with United in disarray, Zaluska had to make a decent save from Brown's header after the Scotland midfielder had latched onto a sweeping Naylor cross.

But Robertson reduced the lead when he appeared at the far post to despatch Paul Dixon's deep cross past Boruc, leaving Celtic to hang on for a vital victory.

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