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Dundee 1-2 Celtic: Player ratings and star man as dogged Dee push league leaders all the way

A double from James Forrest gave the visitors the points at Dens Park.

Dundee faced Celtic at Dens Park. Image: SNS
Dundee faced Celtic at Dens Park. Image: SNS

A dogged Dundee performance pushed Premiership leaders Celtic all the way at Dens Park.

James Forrest’s double saw the three points head to Parkhead as the post-split fixtures got under way.

The Dark Blues, though, fought back in an improved second-half performance with Antonio Portales’ deflected effort on 74 minutes making it a nervy ending for the visitors.

However, there would be no late equaliser to dent the Hoops’ title hopes with the 2-1 defeat seeing the Dark Blues remain in sixth spot in the top-flight table.

First half

Dundee’s first match of the season without Joe Shaughnessy in the starting XI saw two changes, both enforced.

Shaughnessy is out for an extended period with an ACL injury while Lyall Cameron had picked up a slight hamstring injury in midweek and there was no risk taken with him.

That saw Antonio Portales take a place in the backline while Josh Mulligan came into midfield.

Dundee boss Tony Docherty takes his place in the stand. Image: SNS
Dundee boss Tony Docherty takes his place in the stand. Image: SNS

A third absence was manager Tony Docherty with suspension meaning he had to take a seat in the stand rather than in the dugout.

Celtic started strong and Dundee had to weather an early storm with Jon McCracken at his best to keep the visitors out.

He was called on four times in the opening stages as the home side held on.

Reo Hatate then put a presentable opportunity wide before Dundee started to make some in-roads at the other end.

James Forrest opens the scoring with a fierce effort. Image: SNS
James Forrest opens the scoring with a fierce effort. Image: SNS

Their best chance of the half saw Owen Dodgson swing in an enticing ball to the back post but Amadou Bakayoko couldn’t get the power required to beat Joe Hart.

Shortly afterwards, though, it was 1-0. The ball flicked up off Kyogo and into the stride of Forrest 20 yards out and the winger fired an unstoppable volley beyond McCracken and into the far corner.

Dundee would manage some long range efforts from Luke McCowan and Bakayoko but went in at the break with work to do to get back into the game.

Second half

The Dark Blues set about doing just that early in the second half and had Celtic under real pressure from set-pieces.

Dodgson corner deliveries were proving a real menace for the Hoops bringing encouragement from the home crowd.

The best of these saw Jordan McGhee head straight at Hart shortly before the visitors went two up.

Bakayoko gets in behind the Celtic defence before the flag goes up. Image: SNS
Bakayoko gets in behind the Celtic defence before the flag goes up. Image: SNS

Dundee were showing confidence but that proved their downfall on 67 minutes as they were caught over-playing on the edge of their own area.

Portales gave it away and Forrest was in to finish with ease.

Hatate would then hit the post but finally a goal came from a Dodgson corner on 74 minutes.

Portales makes it 2-1 via Idah. Image: SNS
Portales makes it 2-1 via Idah. Image: SNS

Portales hit the ball goalwards and the shot beat Hart via Adam Idah’s boot.

Immediately, Dundee switched to 3-5-2 with Aaron Donnelly introduced and it was nervy times for the league leaders.

Nails were being bitten in the away end every time the Dark Blues lined up a set-piece or Donnelly launched a long-throw into the area.

A stoppage time header from sub Michael Mellon, though, drifted wide as chances of a late equaliser faded.

The full-time whistle was met by a huge cheer from the away end, through relief as much as anything, after being pushed all the way by Dundee.

Star Man: Owen Dodgson

Dodgson challenges Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn. Image: Shutterstock/David Young
Dodgson challenges Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn. Image: Shutterstock/David Young

The on-loan Burnley man put in another strong performance at left back.

But what set him apart from his team-mates was the quality of delivery from corners, particularly from the right-hand side.

A real asset that was missed when he went off in the closing stages.

Player Ratings

Dundee FC: McCracken 7; McGhee 6, Portales 6, Lamie 6, Dodgson 7 (Mellon 86); Boateng 6 (Robertson 68), Sylla 7; Mulligan 6 (Donnelly 75), McCowan 7, Tiffoney 6 (Costelloe 68’); Bakayoko 7.

Subs not used: Sharp, Astley, Main, Robinson, Howley.

Celtic: Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; O’Riley, McGregor (Iwata 62), Hatate, Kuhn, Kyogo (Idah 62), Forrest (Palma 72).

Subs not used: Bain, Yang, Nawrocki, Bernardo, Kelly, Ralston.

Referee: John Beaton

Attendance: 9,120

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