John Barnes' dreamy introduction to the world of football management - three games, 14 goals scored and none conceded - came to an abrupt end at Tannadice yesterday after what had been billed as a Sunday afternoon stroll finished in a comprehensive mugging.
Two goals and a rugged, organised defensive performance gave Dundee United a deserved victory. The surprise result elevated the Tannadice club to second place in the Scottish Premier, although United's manager Paul Sturrock dismissed suggestions that the ruling order in Scottish football was about to be overthrown.
"Make no mistake, the big two (Celtic and Rangers) will fill the first two places in the league at the end of the year. But in one-off games we can all do our bit as far as gaining points off them," he said afterwards.
From Celtic's point of view, it was a match that will have done little to quell the suspicions of those within the Scottish game who believe that the appointment of the former England international as coach is a classic case of over promotion, not least because the Parkhead side turned in a performance that was sometimes pretty but often without purpose or bite - criticisms that dogged Barnes himself throughout his playing career.
Typically, Barnes was laid-back after the defeat. "I'm not too disappointed. We tried to do the right things and we created chances. If we'd lost 2-1, played badly and failed to create any chances I would have perhaps questioned what we're trying to do at the club but that wasn't the case. We lost in the right way." It's an approach that could well jar with the Celtic following brought up to believe there is no "right" way to lose.
It's been a bad week all round at Parkhead, with the fans up in arms on discovering that the new club strip faded after washing. On this performance, it would appear the team suffers from the same deficiency.
Yet Celtic started brightly enough with Mjallby hitting the post after seven minutes from Lubomir Moravcik's corner. The Slovakian international also created a couple of other early chances for his team-mates, one of which the unmarked Larsson should at least have hit the target with his header.
But while Celtic built up a substantial total in the "openings created" column it was the home side that scored after 12 minutes following some neat passing and movement between Billy Dodds and Craig Easton, which ended with the latter curling a 20-yard shot past Jonathan Gould.
Referee Kenny Clark booked Easton for removing his shirt in celebration but that was the only moment of bad cheer for the home side in the first half. Joaquim Ferraz and James Paterson both had chances to increase United's lead, but Gould saved well. However, he could do little to stop Billy Dodds' scoring after 41 minutes. The Scottish international, whose relentless running and uncompromising tackling epitomised everything that was good about United's display, broke free after a mistake by Olivier Tebily in the Celtic defence and lobbed the keeper from 12 yards.
The second half began much as the first had ended, with United content to watch the visitors play short but ineffective passes. Celtic fans in the 12,375 crowd were given hope in the 82nd minute when Berkovic controlled a loose ball and volleyed his 25-yard shot past Combe in the United goal. Riseth might have equalised a couple of minutes later with a header but, in truth, a draw would have been far more than this Celtic performance deserved.
DUNDEE UNITED: Combe, Pascual, Hannah, De Vos, Jonsson, Easton, Skoldmark, Ferraz, Dodds, Paterson (Davidson 90), Partridge. Subs Not Used: Gallacher, Malpas, Mathie, Thompson. Booked: Easton, Paterson, Ferraz, Dodds, Hannah. Goals: Easton 12, Dodds 42.
CELTIC: Gould, Riseth, Mjallby, Tebily, Mahe, Lambert, Wieghorst (Petrov 67), Moravcik, Berkovic, Larsson, Viduka. Subs Not Used: Kharine, Burchill, Boyd, Blinker. Booked: Mahe, Wieghorst. Goals: Berkovic 82.
Referee: K Clark (Scotland).
A sparkling second-half performance by St Johnstone saw Sandy Clark's side pick up their first points of the Scottish Premier League season in a comfortable 20 win over Kilmarnock yesterday.
A superb strike from Gary Bollan in 52 minutes gave them the lead before Nathan Lowndes doubled their advantage six minutes later.
