Dundee United manager Peter Houston was left to ponder what might have been had his players converted their early chances at Celtic Park.
The Tangerines had several opportunities in a fast-flowing first half the best falling to Gary Mackay-Steven before they were worn down by Celtic.
The Hoops strolled to a 4-0 win in the end, although the visitors had them worried at times.
A double from Gary Hooper and one goal apiece from Victor Wanyama and substitute Scott Brown did the damage.
Asked if the Tangerines might have taken something from the game had they been more clinical in front of goal, Houston replied: “Who knows if it would have been different?
“When you come here you always want to try to take the chances that you do create. And if you do score first then it puts Celtic on the back foot a wee bit.
“Even at 2-0 down at half-time, I said to the lads that the next goal was all important. I felt Celtic were getting edgy and had we gone to 2-1 behind we would have been back in the game.
“We didn’t get it and Celtic scored a third and it was over and done with by then. They scored their first goal from our corner and I would like to see that again because I thought Hooper was offside but I wasn’t sure.
“The second saw Jon Daly, who is usually so good at the defensive stuff, take his eye off Wanyama for a second. I still thought had we scored then we would have given them a fright but, unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.”
Celtic manager Neil Lennon added: “We could have been a goal down and probably should have been but I thought, going forward, we were breathtaking at times.
“There was a real intensity about us and ruthlessness when it came to scoring goals. It was a good night for us.”
On the situation regarding Hooper, Lennon stated: “Norwich have come in with an improved offer if you can call it an improved offer. It was rejected immediately.
“In terms of his contract (offer from Celtic), that has been on the table since October and there has been no improvement on that offer. We believe it is a very good offer.
“That may change and we hope it does and I am pretty sure that come February 1 Gary will still be a Celtic player.”
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