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Trivia
- A double from defender Bobo Balde helped secure the points for Celtic.
Review
Celtic remain six points behind but have two games in hand and have made a small dent in their rivals' superior goal difference. But it was Dundee who carved out an opening in the 12th minute when Fabian Caballero picked out Neil Barrett but the midfielder pulled his shot wide. Celtic were exposed again as striker Steve Lovell found himself unmarked in the penalty area but his shot went straight at goalkeeper Robert Douglas. Dundee continued to frustrate the champions and Craig Bellamy watched his powerful goal-bound effort slam into a defender and spin wide as the the first-half petered out.
However, the Celtic support were celebrating soon after the interval when Petrov broke the deadlock. Jackie McNamara swung in a deep cross from the right and the Bulgarian was allowed to drift in behind the Dundee defence and score with a close range header.
Petrov then knocked Sutton's pass into John Hartson's path and the net looked certain to bulge, but Soutar's leg deflected the ball onto the crossbar and the keeper was able to jump to his feet to save Stanislav Varga's effort.
The second goal came soon after and it was Balde who rose highest in a crowded goalmouth to nod in a Petrov corner.
With four minutes remaining the win was sealed when Balde scored his second goal from another Petrov cross.
Teams
Celtic:-
Douglas, Varga, Balde, Laursen, McNamara, Petrov, Lennon, Sutton, Thompson, Hartson, Bellamy.
Subs Not Used:- Marshall, Juninho Paulista, Lambert, Wallace, Beattie, McManus, McGeady.
Goals:- Petrov 49, Balde 60, 87.
Dundee:-
Soutar, Smith, Mann, Wilkie, Sancho, McDonald, Fotheringham (Brady 45), Barrett, Robb, Caballero, Lovell (Sutton 88).
Subs Not Used:- Murray, Larsen, Kitamirike, Robertson, Clark.
Booked:- Smith.
Att:- 52,500
Ref:- D McDonald.
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
Articles
Celtic 3-0 Dundee
BBC
Stilian Petrov celebrates
Petrov opened the scoring at Celtic Park
A double from defender Bobo Balde helped secure the points for Celtic against a stubborn Dundee side.
The well-organised visitors managed to frustrate Celtic in the first-half but Stilian Petrov was left unmarked to head home four minutes after the break.
With an hour gone Balde towered above the Dundee defence to head in a Petrov corner from close range.
And late in the game Balde again managed to get his head to a Petrov delivery to make the points safe.
The champions remain six points behind leaders Rangers but have two games in hand and have made a small dent in their rivals' superior goal difference.
Celtic started strongly but, despite long periods in possession, they didn't do enough to trouble the visiting defence.
And it was Dundee who carved out an opening in the 12th minute when Fabian Caballero picked out Neil Barrett but the midfielder pulled his shot wide from a tight angle, 12 yards out.
Moments later Celtic were exposed again as striker Steve Lovell found himself unmarked in the penalty area but his shot went straight at goalkeeper Robert Douglas.
Celtic responded with a Chris Sutton header that 'keeper Derek Soutar did well to keep out.
Sutton then produced a neat bit of skill to squeeze in a shot on the turn but the ball flew over the crossbar from eight yards.
Dundee continued to frustrate the champions and Craig Bellamy watched his powerful goal-bound effort slam into a defender and spin wide as the the first-half petered out.
However, the home support were celebrating soon after the interval when Petrov broke the deadlock.
Jackie McNamara swung in a deep cross from the right and the Bulgarian was allowed to drift in behind the Dundee defence and score with a close range header.
Petrov then knocked Sutton's pass into John Hartson's path and the net looked certain to bulge, but Soutar's leg deflected the ball onto the crossbar and the keeper was able to jump to his feet to save Stanislav Varga's effort.
The second goal came soon after and it was Balde who rose highest in a crowded goalmouth to nod in a Petrov corner.
Alan Thompson and Bellamy went close with shots before Soutar pulled off anothe good save from Hartson. With four minutes remaining the win was sealed when Balde scored his second goal from another Petrov cross.
Celtic: Douglas, Varga, Balde, Laursen, McNamara, Petrov, Lennon, Sutton, Thompson, Hartson, Bellamy.
Subs Not Used: Marshall, Juninho Paulista, Lambert, Wallace, Beattie, McManus, McGeady.
Goals: Petrov 49, Balde 60, 87.
Dundee: Soutar, Smith, Mann, Wilkie, Sancho, McDonald, Fotheringham (Brady 45), Barrett, Robb, Caballero, Lovell (Sutton 88).
Subs Not Used: Murray, Larsen, Kitamirike, Robertson, Clark.
Booked: Smith.
Att: 52,500
Ref: D McDonald (Scotland).
O'Neill praises positive approach
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill
Celtic 3-0 Dundee
BBC
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill was full of praise for his side's attitude after the victory over Dundee.
"I'm very pleased with the win," O'Neill told BBC Sport. "In the second half I thought we were excellent."
"We couldn't get the breakthrough in the first half but it was important to keep playing with the same urgency and we passed the ball well.
"Dundee were well-organised but once the deadlock was broken the result was never in doubt."