What does Celtic's latest loss mean for Scottish Premiership title race?
This time last week, Celtic were made the bookmakers' favourites to win the title after Hearts slipped up. Now, they trail the Tynecastle club by five points with seven games to go. Might this latest setback for Martin O'Neill and his team prove terminal?
No side has ever won the Scottish top flight with as many as eight defeats. And Celtic's tally of losses is now more than Hearts (five) and Rangers (two) combined. They are 17 points worse off than this point last season, with a goal difference of 22 as compared to 72.
The fall-off has been remarkable, but can they really be ruled out when they're only five points behind? Struggling Dundee Utd beat Celtic again to dent title hopes Celtic have put in similar performances this season to the one they delivered at Tannadice, but come away with three points. Think of the late wins at Kilmarnock and Livingston, or the narrow victory at Falkirk.
But against United, they looked beach-bound on a pitch that had more sand than grass. The hosts created more, had more quality in the final third, and carried more of a threat. Celtic's front three struggled all game.
"They couldn't create anything," said former Parkhead goalkeeper Pat Bonner. "They've no striker that can turn a game when they're not playing well. "I've seen it in the past, many a good striker that hasn't offered anything in a game but they have that ability to get you a goal when you were struggling.