Match Pictures | Matches: 2026 – 2027
Trivia
- KO: 19:30, Monday, Sky TV, League Match Day 1
- First league game of the season, with this Flag Day match on a Monday night due to Commonwealth Games clash on the weekend!
- Callum McGregor raises the flag!
- All 6 Scottish Premiership fixtures on Sky Sports TV this past weekend inc this Monday evening, likely a first ever. Great for the game in Scotland (EPL doesn’t start for another couple of weeks).
- Debut for Hogh & Duran
- Start of the season marred by a lot of boycott calls by Celtic groups and individual fans of the friendlies, merchandise etc due to frustration at the board over the club management over the past year (at least).
- Limerick fighter Lee Reeves critical but stable in hospital following loss in Dublin, 31st min round of applause to support him, he’s a Celtic fan too.
- Celtic sign Kasper Hogh for club record fee of £11m + addons.
- Champions League: Celtic have been drawn against Austrian champions LASK in the play-off round of the Champions League.
- Celtic will see new league rules, including VAR powers to cancel clearly wrong second yellows and tighter controls on time-wasting.
- European football’s governing body Uefa and UK PM Andy Burnham criticised proposals from Fifa to seek private investment in its competitions, including the World Cup. Fifa intends to expand “football development funding” to more than $10bn (£7.5bn) and invite third-party investment in a new venture.
- Commonwealth Games running in Glagsow last week, closing ceremony the day before.
- Martin O’Neill has confirmed West Ham have had a bid rejected for Arne Engels and Everton have made contact for Alistair Johnston. “To replace those players would be a difficult task.”
- League Cup: Dundee Utd away in last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup
- FIFA: European football’s 55 member associations have voted to boycott World Cups if the sport’s governing body proceeds with a plan to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors. Fifa wants to create a commercial subsidiary to run its main events, including its World Cups, and external investors will be able to buy stakes in it.
- Houston Dynamo pulled the plug on their move to sign Marcelo Saracchi. Does this open up the door for a return to Celtic? Turned out now and deal was back on with Houston.
- Celtic Park betting kiosks closed ahead of 2026/27 season opener as William Hill partnership deal ends. Also announced the closure of merchandise outlets in some stands, as well as planned improvements to the concourse and catering.
- McGregor removed uncertainty surrounding his future by telling chief executive Michael Nicholson he was happy to stay, and then Celtic manager Martin O’Neill tipped captain McGregor to one day takeover as a future Celtic manager.
- Johnny Kenny has been left off Celtic’s squad numbers list amid interest from Bolton Wanderers
- Reports:
- Haissem Hassan only allowed to leave Real Oviedo on their terms, acc to their sporting director David Fernandez. Real Oviedo have rejected an offer of approximately £6.2m from Lens.
- Brentford knocked back a perm bid from Celtic for defender Benjamin Arthur.
- West Ham United have had a second bid for Arne Engels rejected by Celtic.
- Lazio winger Matteo Cancellieri interest.
- Hatate transfer interest reportedly from West Ham, MLS and France.
- Celtic reportedly set Alistair Johnston fee as Everton step up transfer raid. Fulham are to to enter race to sign him. Alistair Johnston for around £14m?
- Arne Engels reportedly close to join relegated West Ham United.
- O’Neill on Algerian player Fares Ghedjemis: “We have a very, very strong interest in him.” Although he is thought to be keen on staying in Italy with a bigger club. Sevco have reportedly had an £8m bid rejected for Fares Ghedjemis.
- Preparing to launch a move for Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis. Ready to submit a new offer.
- “Significant developments” reportedly expected for Greg Taylor, with PAOK happy for him to leave as Celtic consider a return
- Rejected an approach from Osasuna for 29-year-old Scotland left-back Kieran Tierney
- Frosinone have knocked back Celtic’s opening offer of around £6m, although they want to keep him, talks ongoing .
- Brondby midfielder Benjamin Tahirovic – another Celtic target – wants to leave the Danish club, manager Thomas Norgaard has confirmed.
- Remain short of Las Palmas’ valuation of goalkeeper Dinko Horkas
- Transfer window open:
- Transfers In:
- Kasper Høgh (F) from Bodø/Glimt – £11.0M (€12.9M)
- Camilo Durán from Qarabağ – £2.1M (€2.5M)
- Transfers out:
- Daizen Maeda (F) to Ipswich Town – £9.9M (€11.7M)
- Luis Palma (F/LW) to Lech Poznań – £3.5M (€4.1M)
- Kelechi Iheanacho (F) to Bursaspor – Free
- Stephen Welsh (D) to Swansea – Undisclosed
- Josh Clarke (GK) to Partick Thistle – Undisclosed
- Andrew Kyle (D) to East Kilbride FC – Free
- Ben McPherson (D) to Partick Thistle – Free
- Ben Summers to Ayr United – Free
- Aidan Rice (GK) to Dumbarton – Loan
- Hayato Inamura (D) to Tokyo – Undisclosed
- Maik Nawrocki (D) to Lens – Undisclosed
- Kasper Schmeichel – Retired
- Filip Skorb (F) to Lecce – Undisclosed
Summary
“I’m a player who always wants to get on the ball and create chances, not only for myself but for my teammates.”
Nygren picks up where he left off with Dundee winner
BBC: Tierney excels again published at 21:35 BST 3 August 21:35 BST 3 August FT: Celtic 1-0 Dundee The Sportsound panel are currently waxing lyrical about Kieran Tierney. The left-back set up the winning goal. He quietly chipped away last season and posted impressive numbers, six goals and 12 assists. The Scotland defender has arguably been Celtic’s best player since Martin O’Neill returned for the second time last term. It’s easy to forget he is still just 29. Reports, external today suggested La Liga sides are interested in taking him back to Spain.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill tells BBC Scotland: “The most important thing is to win the game. “We created a number of chances, but I didn’t think we played particularly well. We could have played with more intensity – it was a typical opening game of the season. “[Kieran Tierney and Callum McGregor] are the football club. They are the backbone of Celtic and it’s great to see them playing together again. “That’s something we are looking at, [signing a back-up left-back]. Kieran – with the best will in the world – will not get through every game. We’ve got some young lads in the academy, but I think it’s a bit early for them. “I hope [McGregor] is here until he’s 45. He had a conversation with the CEO, he’s got a couple of years to run [on his deal], he loves it and to me he’s potential managerial material. “Kasper [Hogh] had a number of chances. It was one of those evenings where you want to impress and he will definitely get better. He will score goals. “[Camilo] Duran, I played him a little bit out of position because we haven’t had time for them to play together yet. “We are doing our utmost to get people in. With about 15 days until the Champions League game, we would like to have people in. “There’s no point in me letting you know [the positions we want]. Overall, we are trying to improve the squad with quality. Quality costs and we’re doing our best.”
Dundee boss Steven Pressley tells BBC Scotland: “I’m exceptionally proud of the group. We’re in a real transitional moment. “We were incredibly brave with the ball and without the ball. Also, I couldn’t be prouder of how hard they worked tonight. “It was an exceptional performance and one we can certainly build on. I was really pleased. I was truly proud of the players’ performance. “Our two centre-backs were outstanding tonight, but we do need depth in that area.”
Joebloggscity of TheCelticWiki:
Underwhelming flag celebrations – Board likely kept it to a minimum, but nice to see McGregor raise the flag
Very underpar performance;
Yang, Tierney, CCV, possibly McGregor only real passmarks
Sinisalo big disconnect between him and the rest of the team
We still can’t shoot
Hogh & Duran decent – Hogh unlucky not to score
McGregor clearly slower in reactions and timing
Our midfield was overrun by Dundee!
At present we’re not any better than last season. I think that after the Hearts defeat & Sevco dropping pts at the weekend, we ALL got complacent. I’m now less positive than I was just before the kick-off yesterday.
Twitter & Social Media:
John @jellymcbaby-1969.bsky.social · 11h Well that was underwhelming to say the least… Didn’t even realise Engels was still on the park until he got booked!! Mobile midfielders x3 and wingers x2 required at the very minimum now, not next week, NOW! Oh and a replacement for Johnston when he’s inevitably sold, and a back up for KT.
Major Major of KDS: Tonight showed us little that we didn’t already know. Hoofing the ball up to Hogh suggests the management have the same view of the midfield as the rest of us
At times it looked like an end of season match. Other times it looked like our performance against Hearts up until Hearts scored
Much work to be done and many players to be bought…
JungleJim of KDS: It’s going to be a long hard season.
Squad – not good enough in every department.
Coaching staff- not good enough.
Randombloke of KDS: Came away thinking it was a pretty poor performance…but after seeing the highlights I’m a bit more encouraged as the chances we didn’t convert were a lot better than I thought at the time. Positives were Tierney getting some great crosses in, Calmac tidying up in midfield and getting into shooting positions, Hogh at least getting into the right positions consistently (albeit looking like a Bratbaak regen when he had chances to score) and the CCV/Trusty partnership looking solid against physical challenges from Murray and the other clugger they had up front. Negatives – Duran looked lost out on the wing, Yang frustrated as always by doing some good stuff then ruining it with a bad touch or decision, Nygren back to being an empty jersey when he’s not scoring, MON clearly lacking faith in his bench.
henrikstan of KDS: If I had to rate our team performance out of ten, I’d give it a solid 5.5. Well short of where we should be but not outright poor as some have suggested. KT = MOTM by a mile. Trusty probably second, followed by CCV (after a sluggish start) then McGregor and no I don’t think he was great by any means. First half was so effing slow. I’m glad MON directly called that out post-game and didn’t try to overlook it. Not a debut to remember for Hogh but I reckon he’ll come good, gotta have faith. Felt sorry for Duran, did his best but clearly a fish out of water on the wing. Seeing him there reaffirms to me that we absolutely need to sign two wingers on either side. I was even leaning towards the notion that maybe we can get away with one incoming winger if Duran fulfils the Daizen role… nope not gonna happen. Especially when our alternative options are Yang (shouldn’t be a starter for too much longer), a knowingly maturing Forrest and Seb effing Tounekti. 3 points is 3 points but we have to sign several players of real quality in the next fortnight, or else a catastrophic 8th UCL qualification failure from 10 attempts is well and truly on the cards. Back the team, sack the board.
Teams
Celtic
Manager: Martin O’Neill
Formation: 4 – 2 – 3 – 1
Starting lineup
01, V. Sinisalo
63, K. Tierney, subbed for C. Donovan at 83 mins
06, A. Trusty
20, C. Carter-Vickers
02, A. Johnston
27, A. Engels,90’+1, Yellow Card at 90 mins plus 1
42, C. McGregor (c), Captain
13, Yang Hyun-Jun, subbed for S. Tounekti at 78 mins
08, B. Nygren, subbed for L. McCowan at 83 mins
11, C. Durán, subbed for J. Forrest at 78 mins
09, K. Høgh
Subs:
51, C. Donovan
31, R. Doohan
49, J. Forrest
41, R. Hatate
14, L. McCowan
47, D. Murray
19, C. Osmand
21, A. Oxlade-Chamberlain
17, S. Tounekti
Goals:
B. Nygren (52′)
Assists:
K. Tierney (52′)
Dundee
Manager: Steven Pressley
Formation:4 – 4 – 2
Starting lineup
01, O. Goodman
03, I. Odutayo
05, O. Bevan
04, R. Astley
07, D. Wright, subbed for B. Halliday at 80 mins
18, C. Reilly, subbed for F. Robertson at 60 mins
08, R. Finnigan
48, E. Hamilton
27, J. Bevan, subbed for A. Forrest at 80 mins
15, S. Murray (c), Captain, subbed for A. Hay at 60 mins
19, J. Westley
Subs:
17, Ž. Bešir
60, R. Bland
58, E. Crombie
14, A. Forrest
02, B. Halliday
11, A. Hay,90′, Yellow Card at 90 mins
13, K. O’Hara
52, C. Oosenbrugh
10, F. Robertson
Goals:
Assists:
Referee: Matthew MacDermid
Video Assistant Referee: Grant Irvine
Assistant Referee 1: Chris Rae
Assistant Referee 2: Dougie Potter
Fourth Official: Lloyd Wilson
Assistant VAR Official: Ryan Lee
Att: […sold out…]
Venue:Celtic Park
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
Basic Stats
Overall possession
Celtic 65.5%
Dundee 34.5%
Shots
Celtic 18
Dundee 11
Shots on target
Celtic 4
Dundee 3
Total touches inside the opposition box
Celtic 34
Dundee 16
Goalkeeper saves
Celtic 3
Dundee 3
Aerial duels won
Celtic 20
Dundee 15
Fouls committed
Celtic 9
Dundee 7
Corners
Celtic 9
Dundee 4
In-depth match stats
Attack
Shots
Celtic 18
Dundee 11
Shots on target
Celtic 4
Dundee 3
Shots off target
Celtic 10
Dundee 5
Attempts out of box
Celtic 6
Dundee 4
Hit woodwork
Celtic 1
Dundee 0
Total offsides
Celtic 0
Dundee 1
Distribution
Total passes
Celtic 654
Dundee 340
Pass accuracy %
Celtic 86.1
Dundee 72.9
Backward passes
Celtic 107
Dundee 46
Forward passes
Celtic 204
Dundee 131
Total long balls
Celtic 39
Dundee 53
Successful final third passes
Celtic 178
Dundee 48
Total crosses
Celtic 22
Dundee 14
Defence
Total tackles
Celtic 14
Dundee 11
Won tackle %
Celtic 64.3
Dundee 45.5
Fouls committed
Celtic 9
Dundee 7
Total yellow cards
Celtic 1
Dundee 1
Total clearances
Celtic 36
Dundee 31
Pre Match Facts
Reigning Scottish champions have won on MD1 in each of the last 14 seasons by an aggregate score of 43-7 since Rangers drew 1-1 with Hearts in 2011-12. Indeed, Celtic themselves have won their opener in each of the last 14 occasions they have started a season as title-holders since a 0-0 draw with Kilmarnock in 2007-08.
This is just the second time in Celtic’s entire history that they have opened a league campaign with a match played on a Monday. The previous instance was in 1921-22, beating Raith Rovers 4-0.
Martin O’Neill has won four of his five MD1 league games as Celtic manager, with the only exception a 0-0 draw with Dunfermline Athletic in 2003-04.
Former
Dundee player Luke McCowan’s only Scottish Premiership goal last season was in Celtic’s 1-0 win over St. Mirren on MD1. The last Celtic player to score in their opening league game of back-to-back seasons was Odsonne Édouard (3 in a row from 2018-19 to 2020-21).
Articles
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cx2vl9lv8wlt#Report
At a glance
Defending champions open with deserved victory
Nygren heads home game’s only goal on 52 minutes
Celtic captain McGregor hits post and record signing Hogh misses several chances
ByGeorge O’Neill
BBC Sport Scotland
Celtic began their Scottish Premiership title defence with a narrow home victory as Benjamin Nygren’s header downed Dundee.
After a drab first half, Sweden midfielder Nygren met a magnificent cross from Kieran Tierney on 52 minutes for the game’s only goal.
Tierney was one of Celtic’s key performers last term as they chased down Hearts in a thrilling finale, and he stood up with a moment of quality once more to start the new campaign.
The margin of victory could have been more comfortable for Martin O’Neill’s side had Arne Engels and club-record signing Kasper Hogh not spurned gilt-edged chances in the first half.
There was more wasteful finishing after the break, with Hogh poking wide and substitute Sebastian Tounekti firing well over the top after some neat footwork created the opening.
Callum McGregor appeared to have added a deserved second when he curled a right-footed shot towards the top corner, but it bounced to safety off the post.
Dundee had their moments – Charlie Reilly rippled the side netting after a neat lay-off from Simon Murray in the first half and Ashley Hay’s header forced a fine save from Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo late on.
However, Celtic saw the game out without alarm to take all three points.
Sportsound: Reaction as Celtic kick-off their title defence with a narrow win over Dundee
Attribution
Sounds
Proven performers to the fore for Celtic against stubborn Dundee – analysis
As is so often the case in the off season, the focus at Celtic has been on the transfer market and whether their squad is equipped to compete both domestically and in Europe.
Hogh and Camilo Duran are the only summer arrivals so far at Parkhead and both were handed debuts from the start.
Duran was shifted out wide to accommodate Hogh playing through the middle and the game largely passed the Colombian by, with a neat second-half turn his sole highlight.
Hogh was more involved and probably should have got his first Celtic goal, but failed to hit the target with any of his four shots inside the Dundee box.
Instead, it was three established stars who delivered amid a slightly rusty display.
Tierney’s cross was typical of a player who creates plenty of goals from full-back, Nygren opened his account for the season with a straightforward header after scoring 21 times last season, and McGregor drove standards from midfield as he so often does.
There will almost certainly be further incomings and outgoings at Celtic in the coming weeks, but those core players are who O’Neill will rely on to lead the way.
From a Dundee perspective, Pressley spoke of how proud he was of his team post-match and you can understand why.
The visitors put in a huge effort defensively and had their moments at the other end.
Centre-back duo Ryan Astley and Owen Bevan were outstanding, making nine interceptions and 15 clearances between them.
On paper, this is their toughest league game and they return to Dens Park having limited the damage.
What the managers said
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill: “The most important thing is to win the game.
“We created a number of chances, but I didn’t think we played particularly well. We could have played with more intensity – it was a typical opening game of the season.
“[Kieran Tierney and Callum McGregor] are the football club. They are the backbone of Celtic and it’s great to see them playing together again.”
Dundee manager Steven Pressley: “I’m exceptionally proud of the group. We’re in a real transitional moment.
“We were incredibly brave with the ball and without the ball. Also, I couldn’t be prouder of how hard they worked tonight.
“It was an exceptional performance and one we can certainly build on. I was really pleased. I was truly proud of the players’ performance.
“Our two centre-backs were outstanding tonight, but we do need depth in that area.”
Tierney shows value as Celtic title defence begins
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cpd72xwyjw9o
Kieran Tierney asks for optionsImage source, SNS
Image caption,
Tierney rejoined Celtic from Arsenal in 2025
ByAndrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland
Published
9 hours ago
On a tough night at the very start of a new season, against a dogged Dundee, it was a familiar name that helped Celtic usher in victory.
No, not Benjamin Nygren – last season’s top scorer and the man who nodded in the winner to kickstart the Scottish Premiership defence – but Kieran Tierney, the man who crossed the ball for the Swede to head in.
The left-back has arguably been Celtic’s best player since the return of Martin O’Neill in January, but his renaissance has gone a little under the radar.
Perhaps that’s because we expect so much from the man who once fetched Celtic a reported £25m in a move to Arsenal.
Regardless, he still registered 12 assists last season, the most of any Celtic player, and scored six goals from defence.
One of O’Neill’s most trusted lieutenants, he’s contracted until 2030 but reports have suggested a potential return to Spain, so just how important is he to Celtic?
Sportsound: Reaction as Celtic kick-off their title defence with a narrow win over Dundee
Attribution
Sounds
‘He looked like old Kieran Tierney’
Despite Kasper Hogh’s 0.88 expected goals (xG), it was actually Tierney who had the most shots on target for Celtic against Dundee – albeit only two.
He created more chances than any of his team-mates (four) and sent in eight crosses, the most of any Celtic player.
“He looked like old Kieran Tierney. He was bombing forward, getting in the box, had a couple shots on goal, doing all his defensive stuff, he was excellent,” said BBC Scotland’s chief sports writer Tom English.
Excellent was the word to describe the left-back’s cross to Nygren, and it was just what Celtic needed.
In the first half, the reigning champions were pushed hard by a Dundee side that set out to be aggressive and frustrate the hosts, and that’s just what they did.
But the chances started to become more frequent, and soon it was the trusty left boot of Tierney that unlocked the door, allowing Nygren to head home from six yards out with a pinpoint cross.
Kieran Tierney’s stats v DundeeImage source, SNS/Opta
However, his impact on this Celtic team is nothing new.
Only Falkirk’s Calvin Miller, now at Hearts, registered more assists last season. At Celtic, only Daizen Maeda created more big chances – 14 to Tierney’s 12.
Defensively, he consistently shows up as one of the best defenders in the league for his contributions, his tackling, clearances, blocking shots.
And for all the talk of managing his minutes, only three full-backs across the league played more than Tierney. That said, he played the full game on only 10 occasions in the league.
“Those players are the football club,” manager O’Neill said of Tierney and captain Callum McGregor. “They are the backbone of Celtic, and I’m delighted to have them.”
With last season’s on-loan left-back Marcelo Sarrachi having returned to his parent club Boca Juniors, there’s currently no other senior left-backs on Celtic’s books.
“Of course [it’s important to bring in cover for Tierney], that’s something we’re looking at,” O’Neill told BBC Scotland.
“Kieran, with the best will in the world, will not get through every single game. Last year, he was recovering and didn’t see some games out because he puts so much into it. We’re looking that way.”
Tierney’s touch map v DundeeImage source, Opta
Spanish interest but Tierney ‘going nowhere’ – Brown
It was reported today that Osasuna have enquired about Tierney, although that same article suggested Celtic chiefs will knock back any offers for the 29-year-old.
Given the lack of options in that position, and also Tierney’s importance to the league champions, that is hardly a surprise.
“Kieran’s going nowhere, he loves the football club,” said his former captain Scott Brown on Sportsound.
“You never know what can happen, but I love watching the wee man play, I love his passion. When there’s a 50-50 he wins it, when a ball goes into the box he puts his head on it.
“It’s the quality on the other side as well. You can see why he went down to Arsenal. Other teams will want that, and Celtic are lucky to have these three [Tierney, McGregor and James Forrest] for that long a period.”
Club captain McGregor is another who impressed in the league opener, but there’s also been whispers that he might be on the way out. Those rumours seem to have died down in recent weeks.
“Callum has retired from Scotland so he’s had the time off, and he looks really fresh,” said Brown. “He is the brains of this time, he’s got the understanding and leadership.
“If any young kids are watching, watch Callum McGregor, watch Kieran Tierney, watch James Forrest. You’re not at a football club like this for that long if you can’t understand the other side of the game.”
Celtic’s luxury items put in shade by bargain basement purchase on opening night
Mark Atkinson
By Mark Atkinson
Head of Sport
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/celtics-luxury-items-put-in-shade-by-bargain-basement-purchase-on-opening-night-8837321
Comments
Published 3rd Aug 2026, 21:37 BST
Updated 3rd Aug 2026, 21:38 BST
On an evening when beady Celtic eyes were fixed upon £17 million worth of new firepower, it was left to one of last season’s marksmen to get the Premiership champions’ 2026/27 campaign up and running.
Celtic have splashed the cash on forwards Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran, with hopes high the duo can help them maintain their status as Scotland’s top dogs while shooting them into the Champions League.
In this league curtain-raiser, however, it was down to Benjamin Nygren to secure the three points. The Swede was Celtic’s top scorer with 21 goals across all competitions last season and he delivered yet again with what proved to be the winner in a 1-0 triumph over Dundee.
Nygren was bought a year ago for less than £2m from FC Nordsjaelland. Proof that there are diamonds in the rough, even when your fanbase is demanding some heavy spending.
Celtic’s armoury undoubtedly needs replenishing, but this wasn’t a vintage night for Hogh and Duran. Hogh gave Martin O’Neill’s team an effective focal point as the No 9 but he missed one good chance early on and two other reasonable ones. Duran – stationed wide right – worked hard but was well-marshalled down the flank.
Nygren has that uncanny knack of getting into scoring positions from midfield and did benefit from Hogh properly occupying defenders. A World Cup starter with Sweden, it would be no surprise should Celtic have to field bids for him before the transfer window closes.
Interest is already high in two of his team-mates. West Ham are said to have tabled two bids for Arne Engels and Everton are keen admirers of right-back Alistair Johnston. Both players started and fared well.
Celtic cannot afford to be shorn of further quality. This match was a reminder that O’Neill’s squad requires additions, not subtractions. Earlier in they day, they learned that Austrian side LASK are their Champions League play-off opponents. This performance will not have left them quaking in their boots.
An organised Dundee competed admirably. Their manager Steven Pressley has rebuilt his squad over the summer and handed a debut to 22-year-old goalkeeper Owen Goodman, on loan from Crystal Palace. This could have been a baptism of fire but Celtic did not test him enough.
One goal sufficed, though. Dundee gave Celtic a guard of honour ahead of the champions’ flag unveiling and maintained that level of respect in an attacking sense. For all they were competitive, there was a glaring lack of ingenuity in the final third and Celtic were pretty solid, marshalled by the excellent centre-half Cameron Carter-Vickers.
How Celtic 1-0 Dundee unfolded
Celtic’s first chance arrived on nine minutes. Nygren seized upon a stray Drey Wright pass but Hogh skewed his shot wide. The Dane was given an altogether more presentable chance four minutes later when a Kieran Tierney cutback was prodded towards goal by Nygren and Hogh, six-yards out, fired wide.
A previously dormant Dundee awoke a minute later when Charlie Reilly’s shot from inside the penalty box whistled into the side-netting.
Hogh had a third effort deflected over the bar just before the half-hour mark and Yang Hyun-jun was crowded out. This wasn’t coming easy to Celtic.
Nevertheless, Dundee started to look a shade ragged the closer we got to half-time. On 38 minutes, Celtic fashioned their best chance so far when Tierney’s impeccable delivery was met by Engels, but his arrowed header went the wrong side of the post.
It was lamentable for Celtic that they weren’t working Goodman, whose gloves were finally dirtied three minutes before the interval when he clawed a strike from Tierney over the bar.
Tierney was another of the older guard who was excelling and his delicious delivery on 52 minutes engineered the opener. Nygren just had to time his run correctly and he did so, guiding the header beyond a helpless Goodman.
Dundee responded on the hour mark by bringing on the lively Ash Hay to spruce up their front line and his pace was beneficial. The striker nearly sprinted past Trusty in a rare Dundee forage forward.
Celtic were the ones creating the chances. Goodman plunged on a daisycutter from Yang, then Tierney shot straight at him after a lovely passing move.
The final ten minutes became more frantic. Hay had Dundee’s best moment with a header that the previously underworked Viljami Sinisalo saved. Celtic so nearly bagged a second when Hogh again missed the target from close range, then Callum McGregor slapped the post and Sebastian Tounekti lashed the ball wildly over the bar.
But unlike rivals Rangers and Hearts, Celtic got the job done. Despite the transfer window concerns, they have already stolen a march in the title race.
I watched Celtic beat Dundee and picked out cheat code they cannot lose and noted quirky dissenting fan chant
Mark Atkinson
By Mark Atkinson
Head of Sport
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/i-watched-celtic-beat-dundee-and-picked-out-cheat-code-they-cannot-lose-and-noted-quirky-dissenting-fan-chant-8837459
Celtic started their defence of the Scottish Premiership with a 1-0 win over Dundee at Parkhead.
The champions dominated the game but only found the net once, with Benjamin Nygren’s header proving the difference between the two sides.
Mark Atkinson was at Celtic Park to cover the match for The Scotsman and picks out three talking points from proceedings:
The man Celtic cannot afford to lose
Transfers continue to dominate the narrative at Celtic. It is always the way. Not just about who is coming in, but also who might depart.
Forward Daizen Maeda has already been sold to Ipswich Town and it appears two other players could follow him to England. West Ham appear mad keen on midfielder Arne Engels and have had two bids rejected, while Everton are very interested in right-back Alistair Johnston.
Speaking to manager Martin O’Neill afterward the win over Dundee, there appears an air of acceptance that both players will move on. The Celtic boss hopes he will have the pair for his Champions League play-of against LASK later this month – but there is no guarantee.
Johnston and Engels are key first-team players at Celtic right now. Mika Baur of Paderborn seems to be the man identified to replace Engels. Two other right-backs are on the books in Anthony Ralston and young Colby Donovan – another is probably required.
But the man Celtic simply cannot afford to lose is centre-half Cameron Carter-Vickers. His name has not been linked with other clubs – yet – and his performance against Dundee showed just how important he is to this team.
The American missed most of last season with an Achilles rupture and Celtic’s defence was shoogly as a result. Starting his first Premiership match since October – ironically against Dundee – he was the best player on the pitch, winning most of his duels and commanding his defence.
Carter-Vickers is essentially a human cheat code for Celtic, capable of keeping the door shut when under pressure. O’Neill did not work with him much last season but he will quickly realise the 28-year-old is someone he can’t do without.
Fresh ways to target the board
New season, same old dissent against the Celtic hierarchy, who continue to get it in the neck from sections of the club’s fanbase.
One of the principal reasons is recruitment, although there were also banners unfurled at Celtic Park’s North Curve railing against bans handed out to fans.
While The Green Brigade and The Bhoys backed the team, the 90 minutes were also filled with chants calling for the board to be sacked.
One such song caught the ear, so to speak. I Want To Be Adored by The Stone Roses was doctored during striker Odsonne Edouard’s time at the club to pay homage to the Frenchman’s exploits. “I wanna be Edouard” would ring out from the stands.
The tune has made a reappearance and was gleefully sung by fans around the 70-minute mark – although this time the words went “I wanna sack the board”. Annoyingly catchy, too.
Celtic’s ultras will continue to find creative ways to make the men at the top know exactly how they feel – no matter how the team is performing.