GLASGOW (AFP) - Gordon Strachan blamed his Celtic players for failing to break down a stubborn Dundee United side on Wednesday after their chances faded of a third straight Scottish Premier League title.

The goalless draw at home to United meant Celtic dropped two crucial points in the league race - and means Rangers are now three points clear with a game in hand.

Strachan was angry at his side for failing to make the most of their dominance against United.

However, he says the result may not be important come the end of the season - if Rangers slip up too.

The Celtic manager said: "I thought with the number of chances we created and the way we were playing we'd get there eventually, but we just couldn't take those chances.

"United defended well and were hard to break down but our goalkeeper Artur Boruc had nothing to do during the game.

"It makes it hard when you are the only team attacking but we still had enough chances to win the game, and to win it quite comfortably, so it was bad play on our part."

Strachan continued: "I've no idea how important the result is to our title chances, Rangers might not win a game until the end of the season.

"I'm also not sure whether we can afford to drop more points if we are to win the championship.

"We will analyse it all at the end of the season and look at the mistakes we made in big games."

At the final whistle the Celtic support made their displeasure known by booing their side off the pitch but Strachan praised them for their support.

He said: "I thought the Celtic fans were great against United. You will not go to a home ground anywhere in Britain that if the home team doesn't win, they won't get booed."

With Rangers not playing an SPL match until Saturday, March 22 - due to a UEFA Cup match away to Werder Bremen on Thursday and League Cup Final against Dundee United on Sunday - Celtic were looking to go top by winning on Wednesday and then away to Motherwell on Saturday.

From the start they dominated Dundee United and were denied a third minute opener by the woodwork.

Aiden McGeady's cross from the left was flicked on by Scott McDonald and Shunsuke Nakamura raced in at the back post to strike a left-footed volley which beat United's Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska only to hit the outside of the left-hand post.

The woodwork again came to United's rescue in the 30th minute.

Australian international striker McDonald hit a fine shot on the turn from 20-yards and although Zaluska was again beaten, the ball struck the outside of the right-hand post.

United had a great chance to stun the hosts in the 38th minute when a cross from Swiss defender Michael Kovacevic found Craig Conway unmarked in the six-yard box but he headed over.

Celtic continued to control the match in the second half and Nakamura struck a free-kick from 30-yards just over in the 56th minute.

In the 72nd minute Republic of Ireland international Aiden McGeady played in McDonald but Celtic's top goalscorer curled his shot wide from 20-yards.

Dutch striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, who replaced Georgios Samaras in the 62nd minute, was then denied by Zaluska in the 85th minute.

Nakamura's corner kick was met by the Dutch striker but his header was pushed back out by the Polish goalkeeper and he could not convert the rebound.