Swansong for O'Neill

Today's is to be Martin O’Neill’s final competitive match as Celtic manager before he hands over the reins to Gordon Strachan next week.

The Northern Irishman has decided to step down to care for wife Geraldine, who is ill.

His last team selection contained no surprises as he put out arguably his strongest team in an attempt to leave on a winning note by retaining the Tennent’s Scottish Cup.

Craig Bellamy, the on-loan Newcastle striker, may too have been playing his last game in a Hoops shirt and, as their contracts have yet to be renewed, the same could also be true for skipper Jackie McNamara and midfielder Neil Lennon.

Former Scotland captain Paul Lambert, who becomes Livingston’s new manager next week, had to be content with a place on the bench for his own farewell.

None of that was of much concern to Dundee United, the side that had only escaped relegation on the final day of the league campaign, which also saw Celtic hand the title to Rangers by conceding two late goals at Motherwell.

Manager Gordon Chisholm, who was upgraded to Ian McCall’s permanent successor earlier in the week, was also able to name his strongest selection thanks to the timely recovery from a groin problem of ex-Scotland centre back Paul Ritchie.

That meant no place in the starting line-up for David McCracken.

Celtic: Douglas, Agathe, Balde, Varga, McNamara, Petrov, Lennon, Sutton, Thompson, Hartson, Bellamy. Subs: Marshall, Valgaeren, Lambert, Beattie, McGeady. Dundee Utd: Bullock, Wilson, Ritchie, Kenneth, Archibald, Kerr, McInnes, Brebner, Robson, Crawford, Scotland. Subs: Colgan, McCracken, Samuel, Duff, Grady. Referee: J Rowbotham (Scotland)