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Trivia
- Last game before Xmas
- Celtic top of the league with game in hand (Sevco to play on next day)
- Mikey Johnston MOTM, three goals in two games, two in this game. Star of the show.
- Celtic should have won by far more but happy enough. However, Celtic have been better in games and still struggled to convert as many as should have.
- Edouard out injured following injury v M'well.
- Ralston, Tierney, McGregor, Forrest, Johnston. Right now, half the 1st team outfield could be @CelticFCAcademy graduates.
- Actor James McAvoy, Hollywood actor and big Celtic fan, at the game with fellow great Glasgow actor Martin Compston.
James McAvoy: "I love coming back". - Callum McGregor has signed a new deal with Celtic, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2023.
- Celtic are understood to be keeping tabs on Mexican defender Edson Alvarez. The Club America centre-back – who can also operate in defensive midfield – started all three of his country’s group games at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The Club America centre-back – who can also operate in defensive midfield – scored a brace against rivals Cruz Azul – managed by former Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha – to secure the Liga MX crown last week.
- Report: Celtic will sign American full-back Manny Perez after the 19-year-old impressed on trial. Perez currently plays for North Carolina State University.
- Celtic are fighting to have Tom Rogic available for the upcoming match with Rangers after the Australian was included in his nation’s squad for the Asian Cup. Manager Graham Arnold, though, insists the player will join up with his squad after the Boxing Day trip to Aberdeen.
- SPFL League 1 and League 2 clubs held a meeting this week over a plan to bring in “SPFL League 3” which would comprise Colts teams from Rangers and Celtic as well as clubs from the Lowland and Highland League.
Review
Brendan Rodgers:" just said to the players that, in my two-and-a-half years here, it was one of my most enjoyable performances."
(haitch of KDS)
Play better football with Bain between the sticks, much more of a reassuring figure in possession than Gordon.
Ralston carried on from where he left off on Wednesday and played well.
McGregor kept things ticking over nicely.
Sinclair’s overall performance was very very good but he really should have scored.
Johnston took his goals excellently and looked like a natural striker today.
Christie didn’t show any signs of rustiness from the bench.
Only criticism was Rogic still looks off form.
(nuts about celtic of KDS)
could've easily been 5 or 6. Think the Dundee keeper did really well for them to be fair and kept the scoreline down. Sinclair seemed to gain confidence as the game went on, but his instinct of when to pass is very erratic and he missed 2 chances he should really have burst the net with.Young Johnston looks a real prospect, played with lots of confidence and composure. Ralston also did well again and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet for the 2nd game in a week, Really hope we can get something done to sign Benkovic on a permanent deal. Would hope that Boyata is back for Wednesday's game at Aberdeen as I think Simunovic is a real weak link in the team, he offers very little to the team in my opinion but perhaps he's injured as he went off today.
Hopefully our away form improves over the next 2 games and we manage to play a relatively settled side for these, 2 wins in these games would hopefully see us open up a decent gap going into the winter break and we emerge from that with some significant improvements to the squad.
Teams
Celtic
· 29 Bain
· 56 Ralston
· 5 Simunovic Substituted forAjerat 58'minutes
· 32 Benkovic
· 3 Izaguirre
· 42 McGregor
· 49 Forrest Substituted forChristieat 62'minutes
· 21 Ntcham
· 18 Rogic
· 11 Sinclair
· 73 Johnston Substituted forHayesat 77'minutes
Substitutes
· 1 Gordon
· 8 Brown
· 12 Gamboa
· 15 Hayes
· 16 Morgan
· 17 Christie
· 35 Ajer
Goals
- Johnston (43' minutes, 50' minutes),
- Benkovic (69' minutes)
Dundee
· 1 Hamilton
· 2 Kerr
· 15 Inniss
· 23 Boyle
· 3 Ralph
· 8 Kamara
· 27 Curran
· 4 Woods Booked at 26mins
· 18 McGowan
· 14 Nabi Substituted for Lambert at 62'minutes
· 19 Kallman Substituted for Miller at 54'minutes
Substitutes
· 11 Mendy
· 12 Parish
· 20 Miller
· 28 Spence
· 45 Moore
· 47 Lambert
· 58 Bradbury
Referee: Euan Anderson
Attendance:
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
Forum
MOTM
- Voting Thread
- Result Thread
- Winner –
Stats
Possession
Home76%
Away24%
Shots
Home27
Away3
Shots on Target
Home14
Away1
Corners
Home10
Away1
Fouls
Home6
Away6
Articles
Celtic 3 – 0 Dundee: Mikey Johnston steps up as Celtic coast to win
Mikey Johnston celebrates after scoring Celtic's opener. Pic: SNS/Craig Foy
Mikey Johnston celebrates after scoring Celtic's opener. Pic: SNS/Craig Foy
ALAN PATTULLO
Published: 16:49 Saturday 22 December 2018
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/celtic-3-0-dundee-mikey-johnston-steps-up-as-celtic-coast-to-win-1-4847968
No strikers? No worries. A teenager effortlessly took the strain, scoring twice either side of half-time, as Celtic ensured a lack of forwards did not hinder their title hopes.
Mikey Johnston nascent Celtic’s career continues on an upward trajectory. The 19-year-old helped ignite his side with a double having already assisted their cause by gladly accepting manager Brendan Rodgers’ request for the winger to play through the middle.
Odsonne Edouard is likely to return to the side at Aberdeen on Boxing Day having been given a few days to rest a tight abductor muscle but Johnston’s display here – and in last week’s 3-0 win over Motherwell, when he also scored – means it’s not necessarily a formality.
This was a tale of two forwards at the opposite stages of their career. Johnston is just starting out. Kenny Miller, who turns 39 tomorrow, would have relished just one of the chances that fell Johnston’s way as he continues his bid to become Dundee’s oldest scorer. The veteran striker played the last 40 minutes after replacing Benjamin Kallman as Dundee’s lone attacking presence and has had easier shifts in his 20-plus years as a professional.
It feels slightly disingenuous to talk of a personnel crisis in relation to well-resourced Celtic. But they were down to the bare bones in the orthodox striker department following Edouard’s injury. Leigh Griffiths is also sidelined for the time being.
They were still able to field James Forrest, Scott Sinclair, Tom Rogic and Callum McGregor, who all know where the goal is.
But it took Johnston to get his side up and going. Centre-half Filip Benkovic even got in on the act after 68 minutes to score his second goal for the club and secure the points for a much-changed Celtic side. The on-loan Leicester City defender drilled in the rebound after substitute Ryan Christie’s shot was saved by Dundee goalkeeper Jack Hamilton.
Johnston, who scored his first goal against Motherwell on Wednesday, struck two minutes before half-time to ease fears it might be one of those days for Celtic. Dundee centre-half Ryan Inniss should have been tighter to his man following McGregor’s through ball but was too busy appealing for a possible off-side. Johnston wrong-footed the distracted Inniss with a neat turn and steered a shot inside Hamilton’s far post from the edge of the box. It was an accomplished finish that spoke of a player mature beyond his years.
Johnston was on the hunt for a perfect hat-trick shortly after half-time having put Celtic two in front with a header that came down off the bar after Sinclair’s chipped cross. The teenager had already hit the bar with a first-half side-footed volley. He was a lively presence throughout his time on the pitch and fully deserved to receive the acclaim of the home fans upon being replaced by Jonny Hayes after 75 minutes – Celtic’s last substitution. Celtic played the entire game without a recognised striker and still won comfortably. Hamilton helped keep the score at a semi-respectable level with a series of good stops and clean handling.
Those Celtic fans who jettisoned Christmas shopping to attend one of the less appetising fixtures on their card got their reward. Top versus bottom went pretty much as expected once Celtic eventually broke the seal. Dundee lived dangerously for much of the first-half and needed Nathan Ralph’s goalline clearance to prevent Sinclair opening the scoring after just seven minutes.
It was bad enough for those Dundee fans hemmed into a corner without hearing score updates that mean their side are suddenly detached at the bottom.
Both sides made several changes to help create the impression this was a fixture both wanted out of the way as quickly as possible. They each have more meaningful games in terms of their long-term ambitions on Boxing Day: Celtic away to title rivals Aberdeen and Dundee at home to Livingston.
Dundee can console themselves with the thought it doesn’t get much tougher than successive outings within seven days at Rugby Park, Pittodrie and Celtic Park. Conceding 11 times in total isn’t what they wanted but it could have been a lot worse yesterday. They could not, though, conjure the consolation goal they managed in Aberdeen and Kilmarnock.
BBC
By Jonathan Sutherland
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
From the section Scottish Premiership 54
Mikey Johnston
Mikey Johnston's opener was his second senior goal for Celtic
Celtic will be top of the Scottish Premiership on Christmas Day after what Brendan Rodgers called one of the "most enjoyable performances" of his reign.
Teenager Mikey Johnston scored his second and third senior goals – four days after netting his first – as Celtic swept aside bottom club Dundee.
Playing as a lone striker, Johnston turned cutely before guiding in the opener, then headed in after the break.
Filip Benkovic added a third as Celtic won a ninth straight home league game.
"This time of the year the team can look a bit leggy and a bit tired and a bit loose with the ball but I thought the foundation of our game, our pressing, was very good," Rodgers told BBC Scotland.
"We didn't give Dundee the opportunity to build any sort of sequence of passes or any threat and that was because the players' reading of the game and brilliance of their counter-pressing."
Defeat means Dundee have lost their last three games – all away from home – conceding 11 goals.
Jesse Curran had their only attempt on target – a tame shot that was saved by Scott Bain – as they slip three points behind St Mirren at the bottom of the division.
Reaction & as it happened
Rogic 'likely to miss Rangers game'
Johnston no flash in the pan
All the focus had been on the problems Celtic had up front, with Odsonne Edouard injured and no other recognised striker available. But problems for some often present opportunities for others, and this opportunity would be taken by Johnston.
The 19-year-old scored his first Celtic goal in midweek against Motherwell and he would underline his huge promise by taking his chance against Dundee.
Just as it looked like the visitors had managed to secure an unlikely scoreline of 0-0 at half time, there was Johnston showing sharpness to fire low into the corner past Jack Hamilton to give Celtic the lead.
It was clearly no flash in the pan, as right after the break Johnston effectively sealed the win with a header in off the bar. That would have completed his hat trick had an early effort not come back off the bar.
Celtic utterly dominated and from there it was just about damage limitation for Dundee, but they were just unable to stop the returning Ryan Christie – on as a sub for James Forrest – from cutting in from the right and firing a shot which Hamilton saved but spilled for Benkovic to make it 3-0. Anthony Ralston also hit a post.
From the moment Dundee left Kenny Miller on the bench, it was evident that the Dark Blues would try to grind out a point. Apart from Martin Woods low effort in the early stages wide of a post it was chance after chance for Celtic throughout.
Filip Benkovic's second goal of the season clinched Celtic's win
Filip Benkovic's second goal of the season clinched Celtic's win
'More important games to come' – analysis
For both sides there are more important assignments on the horizon.
A Celtic victory always looked likely. This game was all about keeping the home fires burning and staying top at Christmas. Rodgers will hope the likes of Edouard and Kieran Tierney will make it back for the sterner tests of Aberdeen and Rangers away.
As for Dundee, their priority now shifts to Livingston on Boxing Day and St Johnstone just before Hogmanay – two home games which offer a better chance of collecting the points they desperately need.
'Mikey was such a threat' – reaction
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "It was so enjoyable some of our play, the youngsters just come in and play with that confidence within our structure.
"Mikey has got that instinct to score a goal. His run and skill for the first was absolutely brilliant, but his second is one you probably wouldn't expect – a running diving header. He was such a threat."
Dundee manager Jim McIntyre: "Celtic's movement, at times, was sensational. We struggled to cope with it.
"For the first half hour, we made sure that our lines were good and made it difficult. Conceding the goal right before half-time was a sore blow."
Match ends, Celtic 3, Dundee 0.
Full Time
Posted at 90'+3'
Second Half ends, Celtic 3, Dundee 0.
Posted at 90'+1' Attempt saved. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) left footed shot from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal.
Posted at 88'
Dangerous play by Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic).
Posted at 88'
(Dundee) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 88'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Andrew Boyle.
Posted at 87'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ryan Inniss.
Posted at 86'
Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Posted at 83'
Anthony Ralston (Celtic) hits the left post with a right footed shot from the centre of the box.
Posted at 83'
Jonny Hayes (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 83'
Foul by Ryan Inniss (Dundee).
Posted at 82'
Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 82'
Foul by Jesse Curran (Dundee).
Posted at 78'
Foul by Anthony Ralston (Celtic).
Posted at 78'
Martin Woods (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Posted at 77'
Substitution, Celtic. Jonny Hayes replaces Michael Johnston.
Posted at 72'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Nathan Ralph.
Goal!
Posted at 69'
Goal! Celtic 3, Dundee 0. Filip Benkovic (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner.
Posted at 69'
Attempt saved. Michael Johnston (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Posted at 68'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ryan Inniss.
Posted at 67'
Attempt saved. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Substitution
Posted at 62'
Substitution, Celtic. Ryan Christie replaces James Forrest.
Substitution
Posted at 62'
Substitution, Dundee. Jack Lambert replaces Adil Nabi.
Posted at 62'
Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).
Posted at 62'
Glen Kamara (Dundee) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 61'
Attempt saved. Anthony Ralston (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Posted at 58'
Attempt missed. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Substitution
Posted at 58'
Substitution, Celtic. Kristoffer Ajer replaces Jozo Simunovic because of an injury.
Posted at 57'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Cammy Kerr.
Posted at 57'
Attempt saved. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Posted at 56'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jack Hamilton.
Substitution
Posted at 54'
Substitution, Dundee. Kenny Miller replaces Benjamin Kallman.
Posted at 52'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Andrew Boyle.
Goal!
Posted at 50'
Goal! Celtic 2, Dundee 0. Michael Johnston (Celtic) header from very close range to the top right corner. Assisted by Scott Sinclair.
Posted at 49'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ryan Inniss.
Second Half
Posted at
Second Half begins Celtic 1, Dundee 0.
Half Time
Posted at 45'+1'
First Half ends, Celtic 1, Dundee 0.
Posted at 44'
Attempt saved. Jesse Curran (Dundee) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Goal!
Posted at 43'
Goal! Celtic 1, Dundee 0. Michael Johnston (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Callum McGregor.
Posted at 42'
Anthony Ralston (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 42'
Foul by Adil Nabi (Dundee).
Posted at 42'
Filip Benkovic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 42'
Foul by Benjamin Kallman (Dundee).
Posted at 40'
Attempt missed. Martin Woods (Dundee) left footed shot from more than 35 yards misses to the right.
Posted at 39'
Attempt missed. Olivier Ntcham (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
Posted at 37'
Attempt saved. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Posted at 36'
Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).
Posted at 36'
Glen Kamara (Dundee) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 35'
Filip Benkovic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 35'
Foul by Benjamin Kallman (Dundee).
Posted at 35'
Attempt saved. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Posted at 33'
Attempt missed. Michael Johnston (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Posted at 31'
Attempt saved. Michael Johnston (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Posted at 28'
Attempt missed. Filip Benkovic (Celtic) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is too high.
Booking
Posted at 26'
Martin Woods (Dundee) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 26'
James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 26'
Foul by Martin Woods (Dundee).
Posted at 26'
Foul by Olivier Ntcham (Celtic).
Posted at 26'
Martin Woods (Dundee) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 25'
Attempt blocked. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Posted at 23'
Attempt saved. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Posted at 21'
Attempt missed. James Forrest (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is too high.
Posted at 20'
Attempt saved. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Posted at 19'
Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high following a corner.
Posted at 19'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Cammy Kerr.
Posted at 18'
Attempt blocked. Olivier Ntcham (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Posted at 17'
Michael Johnston (Celtic) hits the bar with a left footed shot from the centre of the box.
Posted at 14'
Foul by Filip Benkovic (Celtic).
Posted at 14'
Benjamin Kallman (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 12'
Attempt missed. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
Posted at 8'
Attempt missed. Martin Woods (Dundee) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
Posted at 8'
Corner, Dundee. Conceded by Emilio Izaguirre.
Posted at 7'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Nathan Ralph.
Posted at 7'
Attempt blocked. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Posted at 6'
Attempt saved. Michael Johnston (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Kick Off
Posted at
First Half begins.
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.