Scotland Loses Second Champions League Spot

Celtic Defeat Dundee United At Parkhead

Scottish teams were handed some bad news on Friday when UEFA confirmed that they would no longer have two Champions League spots from the 2011/12 season.

Belgium, who have seen Anderlecht, Club Brugge and Standard Liege perform well in the last year, will instead receive the second spot, replacing Scotland in 15th place in UEFA's rankings.

Another result of the change is that the winner of the Scottish Premier League next year will have to play three qualifiers in order to reach the Champions League Group Stage.

On Saturday, Celtic closed the gap with Rangers at the top of the SPL table to seven points after defeating Dundee United 1-0 at Parkhead.

Rangers' match against St. Johnstone had to be postponed due to a frozen pitch.

Mowbray changed things around at the back, starting Josh Thompson and Thomas Rogne in the center, Andreas Hinkel replacing Paul Caddis and Ki Sung-Yueng stepping in for Aiden McGeady in midfield.

Celtic applied the pressure on United from the start, with Braafheid getting a number of free kicks on the edge of the box, though none led to the opener.

With 20 minutes gone in the game, Ireland captain Robbie Keane beat the offside trap, getting onto the end of a Kamara cross and firing the ball past Dusan Pernis, the United 'keeper.

The visitors pressed for an equalizer, but their efforts opened opportunities for Celtic to increase their lead, both Fortune and Keane having several opportunities, but they were denied by the acrobatics of Pernis, who had a good day between the posts.

United applied more pressure in the second half, but they couldn't break the Celtic defense.

Manager Tony Mowbray was pleased with the performance of his two central defenders in this game, saying: "I am pleased with the clean sheet and delighted with the two young centre-halves today.

"They got the job done. They are only here because they are good players.

"They are tender of years. They weren't bought for today but for tomorrow and yet they are doing the job."

He also reserved praise for new-signing Robbie Keane, telling reporters that: "His voice around the dressing room and on the pitch helps the team.

"He threatens in behind teams and, while we know he can play short and link the midfield with the strikers, his goal today was classic on the shoulder, playing off the back of defenders."

Former Celtic midfielder Nicky Riley has been signed by the Accies until the end of the season.

The 23-year-old has spent the last few weeks training with the club. He signed for Celtic in 2006 but did not make any appearances for the first-team and missed the 2007/8 season through injury.