Martin O’Neill insists he was “not totally dissatisfied” with Celtic dropping points in the 2-2 draw with Dundee United after ending the night still four points clear at the top of the William Hill Premiership.
Colombian striker Camilo Duran put the home side ahead in the 18th minute with his 11th goal of the season but Australian forward Zac Sapsford levelled in the 28th minute with a header and then defender Neil Farrugia added a second three minutes later with his first United goal.
The league leaders turned the screw in the second half, for the most part, and defender Liam Scales equalised in the 64th minute with a header.
However, Celtic, whose Europa League campaign – in contrast to their domestic form – has brought three defeats out of three, had to settle for a point.
But with Rangers drawing 2-2 with third-placed Hearts at Tynecastle, the Hoops remain four points ahead of the Light Blues at the top of the table after 11 fixtures.
O’Neill said: “We cannot control anything that’s happening elsewhere.
“The disappointment and the frustration comes from not winning a home game.
“That’s really it. But considering the trials and tribulations over the last number of weeks, yeah, I’m not totally dissatisfied.
“I thought that we were very, very strong in the second half.
“From our viewpoint, we conceded some poor goals but we fought back and I just thought we were going to win it.
“But in the end we could have lost it too, on the break.
“I thought Dundee United were very dangerous and they played very well in the game.
“Just a bit of frustration that we didn’t win with the possession and the territory that we had, we didn’t get the winning goal.
“But who’s to say how important the point might be?”
United have gone six games unbeaten and sit in fifth place but boss Jim Goodwin was left disappointed with the point.
He said: “We showed a great reaction after giving Celtic a gift for the first goal.
“We knew that we would have to suffer and dig deep in the second half as they are relentless at times.
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t hold on to take all three points but I am really proud of my players.
“They dug in at the end and got an important result to keep the run going.
“We played decent football and we were also resilient.
“Before the game, we would have said it was a decent point but having led for as long as we did, of course we are disappointed.
“I am glad the players have something to show for their work and October has been a good month for us points-wise and probably feel we are a couple of points short of where we should be.”
Share