A gorgeous Andrea Pirlo-esque free-kick from Anthony Stokes gave Glasgow Celtic a late 1-0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday.
The Hoops, on a high after their midweek qualification for the Champions League group stage, had started well with Mikael Lustig, Virgil van Dijk, and Stokes all coming close early in the first half.
The game looked to be drifting towards a draw until three minutes left to play when Stokes fired in his 50th Celtic goal in style.
Stokes was brought down by Stuart Armstrong at the edge of the box as the Irishman beavered towards goal.
Addressing the ball 22 yards out from goal, Stokes curled the subsequent free-kick over the wall and in off the post past the helpless Radoslaw Cierzniak.
The finish was emphatic but the position of the free-kick was taken from was the reason for the home team's disquiet.
United manager Jackie McNamara said after the game: "Before he (Stokes) took it, he moved the ball back a few yards and gave himself an advantage that he shouldn't have got.
"And that was the difference between the goal going over Armstrong's head in the wall."
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| Celtic forward Anthony Stokes scores the winner against Dundee United from a free-kick Photo: PA |
The Hoops, on a high after their midweek qualification for the Champions League group stage, had started well with Mikael Lustig, Virgil van Dijk, and Stokes all coming close early in the first half.
The game looked to be drifting towards a draw until three minutes left to play when Stokes fired in his 50th Celtic goal in style.
Stokes was brought down by Stuart Armstrong at the edge of the box as the Irishman beavered towards goal.
Addressing the ball 22 yards out from goal, Stokes curled the subsequent free-kick over the wall and in off the post past the helpless Radoslaw Cierzniak.
The finish was emphatic but the position of the free-kick was taken from was the reason for the home team's disquiet.
United manager Jackie McNamara said after the game: "Before he (Stokes) took it, he moved the ball back a few yards and gave himself an advantage that he shouldn't have got.
"And that was the difference between the goal going over Armstrong's head in the wall."
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