Dundee United's midfield trio of Zidane Iqbal, Lyall Cameron, and Dylan Tait earned widespread praise after controlling the first half of a 2-2 draw against Celtic at Celtic Park on 28 October 2026, extending the team's unbeaten run to six games in the Scottish Premiership.
The result prevented Celtic from stretching their lead at the top of the table, though United slipped to fifth after city rivals Dundee beat Kilmarnock 3-1. Manager Jim Goodwin expressed disappointment at failing to secure a first win at Celtic Park in 52 games dating back to 1992, but acknowledged the performance as a "decent points return" for October.
Midfield mastery
BBC pundits questioned whether United now possess the best midfield three in Scotland. Former United wing-back Allan Preston described Iqbal as "like a watch battery" for his composure and distribution, while former United midfielder Scott Allan highlighted the trio's fluidity and bravery on the ball. Opta data showed Tait passed more balls into the final third than any United player.
The half-time introduction of Celtic wingers Jota and Haissem Hassan shifted momentum, forcing United into a defensive second half. However, they held firm after Liam Scales' equaliser, with former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner noting United's organisation and deserved point.
Managerial impact
Goodwin's tactical approach drew praise from Celtic manager Martin O'Neill, who called him a "very fine manager" and said he had done a "remarkable job". O'Neill, who coached Goodwin in his youth, noted the team's confidence and good run. Goodwin himself pointed to a style change inspired by Motherwell's success under Jens Berthel Askou, with the current unbeaten streak following a difficult start to the season.
