In the build-up to this encounter, Dundee boss Paul Hartley had promised that his players would take the game to title-chasing Celtic.
However, that was easier said than done against a dominant Hoops outfit who were cruising to victory before the Dark Blues gave them a late scare.
The win extends league leaders Celtic’s advantage over second-placed Aberdeen to eight points.
Paul Hartley made three changes from the side that was defeated by St Johnstone two Saturdays ago with James McPake, Paul Heffernan and Alex Harris coming in for Iain Davidson, David Clarkson and Paul McGowan.
The latter, of course, was unavailable to play because of the restriction of liberty order placed on him by the courts last week.
Celtic arrived at Dens no doubt still harbouring a deep sense of injustice after their controversial William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final defeat at Hampden on Sunday which also ended their hopes of securing a rare domestic treble.
Hoops boss Ronny Deila also made three changes with Efe Ambrose and former Dundee United duo Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong replacing Adam Matthews, Kris Commons and Stefan Johansen.
There was a lively opening to the game with both sides committed to attack with Celtic shading proceedings in terms of possession and territory.
The one thing missing from the early stages was a clear-cut opportunity but that changed in the 13th minute.
Armstrong whipped a corner in from the Celtic left with Dundee keeper Scott Bain climbing high through a ruck of players in a bid to punch to safety.
Instead, the ball fell to Mackay-Steven but with the goal at his mercy he could not keep his lofted shot down and the chance was lost.
In the 20th minute there was another half chance for the Hoops, again from an Armstrong corner from the left, but Virgil Van Dijk’s looping header was easily gathered by Bain.
The Dark Blues though were finding it incredibly hard to create anything of note with Celtic keeper Craig Gordon a virtual spectator.
It was his opposite number Bain whose heart was in his mouth in the 27th minute when he came to collect an Ambrose cross from the right but he dropped it. Luckily for Dundee, no Celtic player could capitalise on the error.
Moments later, Leigh Griffiths latched on to a header from James Forrest but the former Dark Blues striker hit the side netting from close range.
However, the Dundee net was bulging in the 32nd minute.
Referee Calum Murray had looked to play an advantage after a foul on Mackay-Steven but then controversially pulled the play back and awarded the original free-kick to the Hoops.
Armstrong hit it deep into the Dundee box with Van Dijk heading the ball back to Mackay-Steven who rifled past Bain from 14 yards.
The Dark Blues were rocked and Deila’s men started turning the screw with the home side toiling.
Celtic came close to extending their lead right on 45 minutes when a Nir Bitton shot fell invitingly for Forrest but Bain pulled off a great save to deny him.
Shortly after, the Dundee bench were screaming for a penalty when Greg Stewart went down under a Van Dijk challenge but the referee gave nothing.
The second half began with Celtic once again in the ascendant with Bitton trying his luck with another long-range shot which flew wide.
Then in the 50th minute Dundee finally had shot on target from an unlikely source with centre-half McPake pushing forward to hit a strike from 20 yards which Gordon gathered.
Celtic though had another gilt-edged chance in the 57th minute when Forrest crossed to Griffiths standing 12 yards out but Bain pulled off another brilliant save from the striker’s well-hit shot.
However, the keeper was helpless to stop Celtic extending their lead in the 64th minute.
The Hoops were awarded a free-kick 20 yards out when McPake was adjudged to have brought down Armstrong. Van Dijk, who scored a cracker from a similar position against Inverness, stepped up and fired an unstoppable strike high past Bain.
Dundee had a half chance in the 82nd minute but substitute Luka Tankulic fired his 22-yard shot flew wide.
The German striker had an even better opportunity moments later when the ball fell to him eight yards out but his shot again was off target.
However, Dundee sensationally pulled a goal back in the 88th minute.
Tankulic slipped a pass to Paul McGinn down the right and the full-back produced a perfect cut-back to Jim McAlister who calmly fired past Gordon from 14 yards.
Dundee tried everything to secure an equaliser as the clock ticked down but the Hoops held on to secure their victory and restore “Ronny’s Roar”.
Attendance 8,908.
Dundee Bain, Dyer, Konrad, McPake, Ferry (Davidson, 69), Stewart, P. McGinn. McAlister, Harris (Tankulic, 58), S. McGinn, Heffernan.
Subs not used Letheren, Clarkson, Black, Wighton, Colquhoun.
Celtic Gordon, Izaguirre (Tierney), Ambrose, Van Dijk, Bitton, Brown, Armstrong, Mackay-Steven, Denayer, Griffiths (Commons, 75), Forrest (Guidetti, 75).
Subs not used Zaluska, Stokes, Scepovic, Fisher.
Referee Calum Murray.