Dundee United rue Celtic sack timing and VAR pardon as Julien Araujo accused of 'dangerous tackle'

The Tannadice outfit were the next team due at Ibrox after Rangers manager Russell Martin departed earlier this season. They secured a creditable 2-2 draw on that afternoon but were swept aside 4-0 at Parkhead as Celtic fans welcomed Martin O’Neill back in the first game since Wilfried Nancy was shown the door.

“Look, we had a similar situation when we went to Ibrox and Russell Martin had just been relieved of his duties,” he said. “We knew the atmosphere would have changed in the stadium at that point. We performed well on the day, took a point, possibly should have won the game.

“Today, we haven't deserved to take anything from it. That's the frustration, I suppose, from our point of view.”

He added: "When you come to Celtic at the best of times it's always difficult, but coming into the game we knew there was a little bit of added extra to it with the change of management and the build-up to the game. I felt it would give the Celtic players a lift as well, and I think you felt that within the atmosphere in the stadium before the game.

"Celtic were back to playing a system and a formation that suits the players and one that the players are certainly more familiar with. We had to try and adapt to accommodate that. Ultimately we haven't defended the box well enough.”

He did wonder what might have happened had new Celtic signing Julian Araujo been sent off in the first half for a high challenge on Will Ferry. The Mexican internationalist was only booked.

“For me, it was kind of a dangerous tackle if I'm being honest,” he said. “He looked as if he was a little bit out of control and he's certainly caught Will Ferry a little bit high on the ankle and Will is feeling the effects of that after the game.

“It didn't seem that VAR spent too much time looking at it,” he added. “Those are the kind of decisions that when you come to a place like this with Celtic playing the way they were at the time, you need those types of decisions to go in your favour. Unfortunately, today that wasn't the case.”