Declan Gallagher says Dundee United ‘want to kick on’ after Celtic draw

Declan Gallagher revealed Dundee United were not for dwelling on their encouraging goalless draw against Celtic as they turned attention immediately to St Johnstone on Boxing Day.

Jim Goodwin’s side kept the William Hill Premiership leaders at bay at Tannadice on Sunday with a well-organised performance, becoming only the second side to take points off the league leaders this season.

Gallagher played his part at the heart of the Terrors’ defence but admitted the focus soon moved to McDiarmid Park on Thursday.

He said: “The protein bars were brought out in the changing room. That’s the first time I’ve seen them this season.

“So we are definitely concentrating on the St Johnstone game.

“The recovery starts now and it’s a good group of boys in there.

“They know now that they have to go home, rest and recover.

“We are in a good place for the games coming up, absolutely.

“If you looked at this game most people would say it’s a free hit and they were coming here to run over the top of us.

“But the fact that we started well and took a point is excellent for us.

“Now we just need to look forward and try and pick up as many points as we can in this tough period.

“At the end of the day it’s still a draw. I know it’s against Celtic but it’s still a draw and only a point.

“We just want to kick on and try and get another three points against St Johnstone.

“So it all has to be fully focused on that. It was a great result and we know that. But we don’t get too carried away with it.

“After last weekend (4-3 defeat by Motherwell), it was basically about getting back to basics.

“But it’s hard to get back to basics when you’re playing a team with such movement.

“You need to be mentally on your game and physically on your game.

“But the boys were excellent. It was good to get another clean sheet and to get it against a team that have scored against everybody this season was pleasing.”