2015-04-22: Dundee 1-2 Celtic, SP

Trivia

• Back to the league campaign.
• Out of the Scottish Cup, and Celtic now aiming to wrap up the league title and seal the league and league cup double.
• Celtic go 8pts in front almost there to the title.
• Game again not on TV. Just online for non UK residents. Celtic fans in uproar after blatant penalty not given in previous match despite clear view format least two of the officials. Celtic request a clarification of what occurred, but media and others jumping on our backs. Granted some taking all to extremes but the error was so blatant that is correct to query what occurred.
• Celtic supposedly after new Belgian Centre-half.
• European Cup matches tonight, Madrid, Barcelona, Juve and Bayern into the semis. Mostly predictable which is a big problem with the competition and has been for years, getting less interesting.

Review

(williebhoy of KDS)
I expected us to come out of the traps quickly, yet it was a very mundane 1st half indeed….2nd half we finally got some momentum then killed the game by bringing on subs Guidetti & Commons slowed the pace right down again.

There is no problem from making mistakes, as long as we learn from them…currently we are just repeating the same ones again & again…
Throw-ins are a waste of time, tend to lose possession,
Players taking too many touches – some very poor passing
3 of the management team all viewing from the worst seats in the stadium,
caught out again with a long ball, both full backs attacking at the same time, leave players with real pace to cover & a spare unless we are chasing a goal
poor use of subs, lacking tempo from the off
Griffiths asked to lead the line alone…..not built for such a position – would be better playing off a main striker in the Commons role (Apart from Scepovic we don't have a central striker capable of winning high crosses)

If we hope to make real strides in Europe we need to smarten up all over both on & off the park.

(remy m of KDS)

Teams

Dundee

Substitutes

• 01 Letheren
• 06 Davidson
• 16 Clarkson
• 21 Tankulic
• 24 Black
• 33 Wighton
• 35 Colquhoun

Goals

• McAlister 87

Celtic

Substitutes

• 09 Guidetti
• 10 Stokes
• 12 Scepovic
• 15 Commons
• 24 Zaluska
• 41 Fisher
• 63 Tierney

Goals

• Mackay-Steven 32′ van Dijk 63′

Articles

• Match Report (see end of page below)
• Audio Report: Paradise Report

Pictures

• Match Pictures

Forum

• Pre-match http://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/topic/9233224/
• Match http://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/topic/9233616/
• Post Match http://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/topic/9233644/2/?x=50

MOTM

• Voting Thread http://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/topic/9233643/
• Result Thread
• Winner –

Stats

Match Stats
Dundee Celtic

Possession
57% 43%
90 mins

Shots
5 17

On target
2 6

Corners
3 10

Fouls
12 5

Articles

Dundee 1 – 2 Celtic: Hoops back to winning ways
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl/dundee-1-2-celtic-hoops-back-to-winning-ways-1-3751687

by
ALAN PATTULLO
DIFFERENT coloured shirt, same old story. Dundee fans were glad to see the back of Gary Mackay-Steven following his move from Dundee United to Celtic earlier this year.
Scorers: Dundee – McAlister (87); Celtic – Mackay-Steven (32), Van Dijk (63)

As many might have feared, however, he returned to haunt them last night, setting his new side on the way to a victory at Dens Park.

Although their was a brief glimpse of a comeback at the end by the hosts, Celtic’s win served as the perfect antidote to Sunday’s controversial Scottish Cup exit by Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Virgil van Dijk put Celtic further in command with another stunning free-kick goal just after the hour mark. The centre-half simply relishes these opportunities and he scored with yet another nonchalant swing of his right boot after 63 minutes.
Jim McAlister briefly raised Dundee’s hopes with a goal three minutes from time. This late strike meant Celtic were happy to see out the remaining minutes to secure a win that restores their eight point-lead over Aberdeen.
Gary Mackay-Steven celebrates after putting Celtic in front at Dens Park. Picture: SNSGary Mackay-Steven celebrates after putting Celtic in front at Dens Park. Picture: SNS
Ronny Deila’s side now stand three wins from the title and the decisive victory could still potentially arrive at Pittodrie next month.
The Aberdeen fans had their hopes of a surprise win for Dundee dented early on when Mackay-Steven slipped into gear once more against the Dens Park side. He is their tormentor-in-chief. Wounds are still raw from his two-goal contribution to Dundee United’s 6-2 win over Dundee on New Year’s day. He seems to thrive on the opprobrium that rains down on him whenever he comes up against the dark blue side of the street. So it was again last night.

Although the Dens Park crowd was restricted by a partial closure of the south enclosure after scenes provoked by the most recent derby clash, Mackay-Steven was still the target for the home fans. Their passion was, however, dulled by a cagey start to the game from both sides.
After the drama of Sunday’s semi-final, there was always the prospect of this being a slow-burner. While Celtic might have welcomed the opportunity to take out their frustrations on Dundee, it was bound to take time to re-focus following the end of their treble dream.
Little of note had occurred before Mackay-Steven opened the scoring. As could be predicted following the events on Sunday, when Inverness’ Josh Meekings’ handball was missed by the officials, Celtic’s goal was scored against the backdrop of outrage from Dundee fans. They argued that the visitors had benefited from a decision that had gone their way in the run-up to the goal.
These supporters were, however, better advised to look at their part their own team had played in allowing Mackay-Steven such freedom in the box to score his third goal against the Dens Park side this season. But it fitted with the narrative many had anticipated.

Because Celtic had been the victims of a poor decision in the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Inverness, they would, many surmised, be granted some compensation from officials last night. Dundee fans had already held their breath when James Forrest tumbled in the box under Willie Dyer’s challenge.
Dundee manager Paul Hartlety’s pre-match intention had been to put Celtic on the back foot but the visitors were fairly untroubled in the opening half. A Van Dijk-marshalled Celtic defence coped with most of which Dundee were able to muster in an attacking sense.
Although Griffiths was a peripheral figure in the first-half, it was a foul on him that set in motion a chain of events that led to Celtic taking the lead after 32 minutes. McPake’s challenge from behind on the former Dundee striker was spotted by referee Calum Murray, who, noting how an attack was still on-going, allowed the game to continue. However, he brought play back to the original foul when Griffiths himself failed to control a pass a few seconds later, to howls of protest from the home fans.
But the advantage rule was played to good effect – Celtic had not benefited, and so the foul was belatedly awarded. With Dundee rattled, Mackay-Steven was then felled by McPake, and another foul awarded. Armstrong flighted the free-kick into the box, where Van Dijk nodded down to Mackay-Steven.
Despite being in such a dangerous position, the former Dundee United player was granted all the time he needed to place a shot into the top corner of the net. This was surprising since Dundee have surely been well-warned about the winger’s qualities.

It might have been worse for the home team before half-time when Forrest should have done better than place a shot too near Bain after a deflected Bitton effort fell into his path. While Dundee themselves had a penalty appeal when Stewart went down under a challenge from Denayer, it was of the half-hearted variety.
Griffiths should have made it 2-0 early in the second half, but he was denied by a good save low to the left from Bain. Dundee briefly came into things after that. Hartley’s decision to bring on Luka Tankulic for Harris might have been based on the hope his side could take advantage of this upswing in fortunes. But it proved a false dawn.
McPake’s wild challenge on Armstrong on the edge of the box was injudicious in the extreme, particularly when the opposition have someone like Van Dijk to call on. Few could claim they were surprised when his 20-yard free-kick flew over the wall and past Bain.
The visitors were not yet home and dry. The excellent McAlister’s fine finish from 12 yards after a good move down the right from Dundee provided Celtic with a fright in the dying minutes. But they held on, allowing Deila the opportunity to resume his victory fist-pumping ritual in front of the away supporters after the final whistle.

Dundee: Bain, P McGinn, McPake, Konrad, Dyer; Ferry [Davidson, 69], McAlister, S McGinn, Harris [Tankulic, 58]; Stewart, Heffernan. Not used: Letheren, Clarkson, Black, Wighton, Colquhoun.
Celtic: Gordon, Ambrose, Van Dijk, Denayer, Izaguirre [Tierney 81]; Bitton, Brown, Armstrong, Forrest [Commons, 76], Mackay-Steven; Griffiths [Guidetti, 76]. Not used: Zaluska, Stokes, Scepovic, Fisher.

BBC
By Andrew Southwick
BBC Scotland •Gary Mackay-Steven gives Celtic first-half lead
•Virgil van Dijk free-kick doubles advantage
•Jim McAlister scored late on for hosts
•Celtic move eight points clear at top of Premiership
Celtic took a step closer to clinching the Scottish Premiership title with a comfortable win over Dundee.
Gary Mackay-Steven put Celtic in front when he was allowed to breeze through the defence and Virgil van Dijk doubled the lead with a powerful free-kick.
Ronny Deila's men were given a fright late on at Dens Park when they switched off and allowed Jim McAlister to finish low into the net.
But they held on to move eight points clear of Aberdeen in the title race.
The final score made the game look closer than it was, even if Celtic lacked the spark and energy that has become commonplace under Delia.
Mackay-Steven and former Dundee United team-mate Stuart Armstrong were both restored to the side after being ineligible for the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Inverness and, in the early stages, they looked the more likely to create something for the visitors.
Two Armstrong corners caused problems, goalkeeper Scott Bain punching the first into the path of Mackay-Steven, whose shot was not far away, before Van Dijk got a decent connection on the second delivery.
In a first half dominated by mistakes, Bain almost gifted Celtic the opening goal when he flapped at a cross.
Virgil van Dijk doubled Celtic's lead with a free-kick Virgil van Dijk doubled Celtic's lead with a free-kick
Then, as Dundee tried to clear, James Forrest tumbled under Willie Dyer's challenge, but referee Calum Murray waved away the penalty claims.
Dundee's resistance was finally broken when Mackay-Steven took Van Dijk's knockdown on the run and coolly slotted the ball past Bain.
The game fell into a little bit of a lull after that, with Jason Denayer, Nir Bitton and Leigh Griffiths all sending long-range efforts over the bar.
Forrest should have made it 2-0 when Bitton picked him out in the box, but he turned and fired straight at the goalkeeper, then Bitton himself fizzed a shot past.
Bain denied Griffiths from close range, but the goalkeeper could do nothing to stop Van Dijk's free-kick, the Dutchman sending an effort high into the net.
Dundee, having already achieved a top-six spot, were well below their best, but they rallied late on.
Luka Tankulic had a close-range effort deflected over before McAlister drove a low shot into the net after good work from Paul McGinn.
Live Text Commentary
Full time Full Time
Match ends, Dundee 1, Celtic 2.
90:00 +3:16 Full time Full Time
Second Half ends, Dundee 1, Celtic 2.
90:00 +2:15 Foul by Stuart Armstrong (Celtic).
90:00 +2:15 Paul McGinn (Dundee) wins a free kick on the right wing.
90:00 +1:27 Attempt saved. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
90:00 +0:44 John Guidetti (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90:00 +0:44 Foul by Iain Davidson (Dundee).
89:45 Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
89:45 Luka Tankulic (Dundee) wins a free kick on the right wing.
88:18 Attempt missed. Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
87:44 Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
87:44 Foul by Willie Dyer (Dundee).
86:50 Goal scored Goal!
Goal! Dundee 1, Celtic 2. Jim McAlister (Dundee) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Paul McGinn.
86:05 Kris Commons (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
86:05 Foul by Willie Dyer (Dundee).
85:05 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Paul McGinn.
83:53 Corner, Dundee. Conceded by Efe Ambrose.
83:32 Attempt missed. Luka Tankulic (Dundee) right footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high.
82:33 Foul by Jason Denayer (Celtic).
82:33 Paul Heffernan (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
.81:43 Attempt missed. Luka Tankulic (Dundee) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
80:53 Substitution Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Kieran Tierney replaces Emilio Izaguirre.
80:08 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by James McPake.
77:20 Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
77:01 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Thomas Konrad.
76:42 Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
76:09 Attempt blocked. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
75:26 Substitution Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. John Guidetti replaces Leigh Griffiths.
75:15 Substitution Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Kris Commons replaces James Forrest.
69:40 Attempt missed. Greg Stewart (Dundee) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
68:37 Substitution Substitution
Substitution, Dundee. Iain Davidson replaces Simon Ferry.
62:57 Goal scored Goal!
Goal! Dundee 0, Celtic 2. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) from a free kick with a right footed shot to the top left corner.
62:11 Booking Booking
James McPake (Dundee) is shown the yellow card.
62:04 Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
62:04 Foul by James McPake (Dundee).
60:55 Foul by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).
60:55 Luka Tankulic (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
58:09 Substitution Substitution
Substitution, Dundee. Luka Tankulic replaces Alex Harris.
56:08 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Scott Bain.
55:56 Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
55:13 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alex Harris.
54:16 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Paul McGinn.
53:26 James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
53:26 Foul by Willie Dyer (Dundee).
51:56 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Simon Ferry.
51:01 Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
51:01 Foul by Paul Heffernan (Dundee).
49:54 Booking Booking
Simon Ferry (Dundee) is shown the yellow card.
49:50 Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
49:50 Foul by Simon Ferry (Dundee).
48:54 Attempt saved. James McPake (Dundee) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
47:26 Attempt missed. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
47:04 Attempt blocked. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
45:00 Second Half begins Dundee 0, Celtic 1.
45:00 +1:12 Half time Half Time
First Half ends, Dundee 0, Celtic 1.
44:58 Attempt saved. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
40:57 Corner, Dundee. Conceded by Emilio Izaguirre.
40:33 Stephen McGinn (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
40:31 Foul by Stuart Armstrong (Celtic).
39:46 Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top left corner.
37:19 James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
37:19 Foul by Willie Dyer (Dundee).
36:39 Attempt missed. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
31:38 Goal scored Goal!
Goal! Dundee 0, Celtic 1. Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Virgil van Dijk following a set piece situation.
31:00 Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
31:00 Foul by James McPake (Dundee).
30:07 Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
30:07 Foul by James McPake (Dundee).
27:20 Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
22:45 Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
22:45 Foul by Simon Ferry (Dundee).
20:44 Attempt missed. Jason Denayer (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner.
18:56 Attempt saved. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
18:29 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Paul McGinn.
12:12 Attempt missed. Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left.
11:38 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Paul McGinn.
10:36 Foul by Paul Heffernan (Dundee).
10:36 Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
6:01 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alex Harris.
3:27 Corner, Dundee. Conceded by Jason Denayer.
0:00 First Half begins.
0:00 Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
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