2024-04-28: Dundee 1-2 Celtic, SP

Match Pictures | Matches: 2023 – 2024

Trivia

  • KO: 15:00; Sunday; First match after the league split; League Match 34
  • Celtic top of the league on 81pts +55 GD, Sevco next on 78 pts & +50GD both played 34 games.
  • Celtic and Sevco both playing away league games today live on Sky Sports TV on the same day.
  • Sevco drew their game in hand v Dundee (0-0 a week ago).
  • Lots of complaints across the board about the unacceptable state of the Dundee pitch.
  • No Scottish refs at Euro 2024 as UEFA reveal tournament officials and VAR teams.
  • Daizen Maeda set for possible shock return next week after previously being ruled out for the rest of the season through injury. Not 100% yet.
  • Reports:  Celtic looking to sign Austrian goalkeeper Patrick Pentz, who is currently on loan at Danish side Brondby from newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen. Celtic defender Bosun Lawal is attracting huge interest from England’s Championship and League One clubs. Celtic have been offered DR Congo defensive midfielder Charles Pickel. Feyenoord have joined the race to sign Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski who is also linked with Celtic. Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
  • Out on Loan Bosun Lawal’s loan spell with Fleetwood today came to an end. He started and played 82 minutes in their 3-0 win over Burton Albion but ultimately, the Cods were relegated to English League Two.  He received a standing ovation as he was subbed off! So the question is what next? At Celtic or sell?
  • Celtic Women’s Team: Lost to Sevco counterparts in Scottish Cup semi-final by 2-0 in a poor performance.
  • Stoke City have decided against signing on-loan Celtic winger Sead Haksabanovic permanently, with a price of around £2.2m
  • Former Celtic players Jonny Hayes and Charlie Mulgrew in the frame for the club’s under-18s head coach role.
  • Former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill named as the League Managers Assosiation Chairman in England.
  • Politics: No confidence vote expected for First Minister Yusuf Humza.
  • Sweden bows to fan power and becomes first country to reject VAR after majority of clubs and regional associations vote against the use of technology even in European competitions.
  • Frozen out 24-year-old Celtic centre-half Gustaf Lagerbielke says he has turned to building Lego to fill his time because of his lack of minutes and being unable to have “close contact” with manager Brendan Rodgers. (Aftonbladet)

Summary

“This is when Celtic comes alive. You can’t soften up.”
Brendan Rodgers pre match (Apr 2024)

“I really look forward to this period – this is when Celtic comes alive. Five games to go, trophies at stake, Scottish Cup at stake, so bring it on.”
Brendan Rodgers pre match

“Everyone is feeling confident around the games and in training and we are all looking forward to it. We are excited for it – these are the moments you play football for.”
Adam Idah pre match

“You can’t soften up – especially at this time – just because another team might have drawn or lost.”
Brendan Rodgers pre match insists Celtic must remain focused on their own performances in the league title race

“This is when Celtic comes alive. You can’t soften up. ”
Brendan Rodgers pre match (Apr 2024)

“The guys got the job done. [James Forrest] is one of the fathers of the great success this club has had over the last decade or so.”
Brendan Rodgers post-match on double scoring hero James Forrest

“He’s a top pro. He’s done it year after year after year.”
Callum McGregor on James Forrest

“You play for us, we’ll sing for you”
Celtic banner today.

PatMustard of KDS:
So much wrong today.
Defending corners, against a half decent side (UEFA conference League) we’d have conceded 2-3.
Taking throw ins and corners.
Kuhn started brightly but lost his way half an hour in, never made it back.
Reo and CalMac were well off it in midfield.
Kyogo was fairly anonymous, decent touch for the opener I suppose.
Defence done what they could otherwise.
Thought Palma at least worked hard when he came on, faint praise I know but he done ok. Iwata was better than usual too, he’s well off being what we need though.
I thought Idah would help at corners…
Great three points though, amazing work by Forrest this afternoon.

jbj712 of KDS:
Said it before the game that playing Scales and McGregor could cost us and it nearly did.
Scales is just too weak to play as a CB in this league especially when Taylor is playing at LB as it makes it far too easy for teams to simply punt the ball down that side and get some joy.
McGregor was like being a man down for the hour he was on as he jogged around midfield pointing to his left and right while doing the square root of eff all..
Continue with these two and it will be a white knuckle ride down to the wire that two weeks in a row McGregor has been abysmal and if we lose the league then Rodgers should carry the can for persisting with something that is so blindingly obviously not working.
The 15 minutes after half time was abject as we ran about like school boys playing a team of grown ups.
Two weeks in a row we have got out of jail and if we don’t learn the lessons then we deserve anything we get.

Twitter:

Séan Walsh @walshybhoy “Another 3 points for Celtic is most important thing but no doubt the football and performances this season have been stressful and often pretty poor.  Going to be stressful few weeks! ”

Liam Kelly @cfcliamk96 · 1h If we win the league it’ll be an indication of how poor the league is because we have been shite in about 29 of our games  But right now all that matters is getting this title over the line and it’ll be sweet if we see it through

Highland__Paddy @Highland__paddyStarted off brightly enough but then the midfield disappeared from the game. A moment of brilliance from Jamesy to put us in front , but Dundee are far from out of it. Big second half ahead .

Teams

Celtic:

Manager: Brendan Rodgers

Formation: 4 – 3 – 3

  • 1J. Hart
  • 2A. Johnston
  • 3G. Taylor
  • 42C. McGregor
  • 20C. Carter-Vickers
  • 5L. Scales
  • 33M. O’Riley
  • 41R. Hatate
  • 8K. Furuhashi
  • 10N. Kühn
  • 49J. Forrest

Subs:

  • 7L. Palma
  • 9A. Idah
  • 13Yang Hyun-Jun
  • 17M. Nawrocki
  • 24T. Iwata
  • 28Paulo Bernardo
  • 29S. Bain
  • 48D. Kelly
  • 56A. Ralston

Goals:

  • J. Forrest

Assists:

Dundee

Manager: Tony Docherty

Formation: 4 – 5 – 1

  • 22J. McCracken
  • 6J. McGhee
  • 3O. Dodgson
  • 23M. Boateng
  • 29A. Portales
  • 12R. Lamie
  • 15J. Mulligan
  • 17L. McCowan
  • 9A. Bakayoko
  • 28M. Sylla
  • 7S. Tiffoney

Substitutes

  • 4R. Astley
  • 8C. Main
  • 16Z. Robinson
  • 19F. Robertson
  • 21R. Howley
  • 25A. Donnelly
  • 26M. Mellon
  • 30H. Sharp
  • 44D. Costelloe

Goals:

  • A. Portales

Assists:

Ref: John Beaton
Att:

Articles

  • Match Report (see below)

Pictures

Match Links

Stats

Overall Possession

Shots

Shots on target

Shots off target

Blocked shots

Total touches in the box

Goalkeeper saves

Aerial duels won

Fouls

Corners

Articles

Dundee 1 Celtic 2: Forrest hits double on first start in five months

https://www.thenational.scot/sport/24284164.dundee-1-celtic-2-forrest-hits-double-first-start-five-months/
Celtic FC
Dundee FC
James Forrest
Football
Sport
By Gavin McCafferty
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James Forrest scored a double against Dundee <i>(Image: PA)</i>
James Forrest scored a double against Dundee (Image: PA)

James Forrest hit a double on his first start for five months as Celtic maintained their lead at the top of the cinch Premiership with a 2-1 victory at Dundee.

Forrest was drafted in for only his fourth start of the season after coming off the bench to net in last weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final win over Aberdeen.

Such was Forrest’s influence at Hampden that manager Brendan Rodgers admitted he might have underused the 32-year-old this season.

And his feeling could only have grown as the winger stole the show at Dens Park to take his season tally to six goals.

Forrest volleyed home a powerful strike from 18 yards on the half-hour mark and started and finished the move that doubled the lead midway through the second half.

The victory swiftly restored Celtic’s three-point lead following Rangers’ 2-1 win at St Mirren in the early kick-off, although their goal difference advantage stayed at five after substitute Adam Idah sliced the ball into his own net as he tried to clear Antonio Portales’ shot.

Celtic had scored 26 goals in their previous six meetings with Dundee, half of the tally coming this season, but the champions would have been satisfied to maintain the status quo at the top of the table after some late pressure, during which visiting goalkeeper Joe Hart was booked for time-wasting.

Forrest was involved from the opening moments, working room to shoot wide from long range, and Nicolas Kuhn was also cutting in to good effect from the right wing, forcing two saves from Jon McCracken.

The Dundee goalkeeper pulled off a better stop from Greg Taylor’s close-range header after Liam Scales had headed on a corner.

Reo Hatate then stabbed wide from close range after brilliant wing play from Forrest.

Dundee had a brief spell of attacking play and Amadou Bakayoko could not react quickly enough to make the most of Owen Dodgson’s cross, the ball trundling into Hart’s hands off his foot.

Celtic got back on top and Forrest produced his moment of magic. The Scotland international showed brilliant technique to fire a shot into the corner of the net as it sat up following Kyogo Furuhashi’s touch on the edge of the box. McCracken did not have time to move.

However, the champions did not build on their lead. Hart held long-range efforts from stand-in Dundee captain Luke McCowan and Bakayoko before the break and the home side put Celtic under pressure with some balls into the box after the interval.

Dodgson’s corners were causing particular concern for the Celtic defence and Mo Sylla headed just wide before Hart saved Jordan McGhee’s header.

The visitors settled the game down and Forrest drilled the ball through McCracken’s legs with his left foot after dispossessing Portales, taking a return pass from Hatate and riding challenges from two Dundee defenders.

Forrest had been substituted by the time Dundee pulled a goal back in the 74th minute. Portales volleyed a second shot towards goal following Dodgson’s corner and substitute Idah made a mess of his clearance on the six-yard line.

With Celtic skipper Callum McGregor also substituted, the goal set up a nervy finish for the travelling fans but Dundee’s hopes ended when substitute Michael Mellon headed wide from a deep free-kick in stoppage-time.

BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cv20n055d3rt?page=5#Report

Andy Campbell
BBC Scotland

Brendan Rodgers lauded James Forrest as one of the “fathers” of Celtic’s success over the past decade after the veteran winger’s double downed Dundee and maintained Celtic’s three-point Scottish Premiership lead.

Forrest marked his return to the starting line-up with a stunning first-half volley from the edge of the box and low drive midway through the second period.

Dundee replied with Adam Idah deflecting an Antonio Portales shot past Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart but were unable to deny the visitors victory.

“He’s one of the fathers of the great success that this club has had over the last decade,” said Rodgers of 11-time league winner Forrest.

“Very humble, very understated but what he has, he’s got immense quality.”

Rangers had drawn level on points with Rodgers’ side by beating St Mirren in Paisley earlier on Sunday.

But the title is still Celtic’s to lose with four rounds of fixtures to play and the Old Firm still to meet in the east end of Glasgow.

Dundee remain two points behind fifth-placed St Mirren and in contention for a Europa Conference qualifying place.

Reaction & as it happened

Latest Dundee news

Updates at Celtic

Nicolas Kuhn and Reo Hatate threatened early on for Celtic, the former twice forcing goalkeeper Jon McCracken into action.

Dundee weathered the pressure and Amadou Bakayoko diverted a cross into Joe Hart’s grasp after being unable to get much purchase on the shot.

It was just at the point the hosts were starting to gain momentum that Celtic scored as Kyogo Furuhashi’s flick sat up for Forrest to strike across McCracken.

The home side showed renewed vigour after the break and Mo Sylla headed a corner wide and Jordan McGhee nodded another at Hart.

But, again, Celtic showed their quality in the final third.

Reo Hatate passed forward and Ricki Lamie and Portales got in each other’s way, leaving Forrest as beneficiary and scorer. He soon made way to cheers from the away fans.

And Celtic could have added to their lead, the graceful Hatate checking and sweeping a shot on to McCracken’s right-hand post.

Dundee finally profited from a corner, albeit with a degree of fortune.

Portales’s downward shot did not seem to have the power to cause Hart problems but he was wrongfooted by Idah’s intervention.
Player of the match – James Forrest (Celtic)
James Forrest scores for Celtic against DundeeImage source, SNS
Image caption,

The serial trophy winner more than justified his recall to the starting line-up
Forrest keeps Celtic on course – analysis

Since an early March loss away to Hearts, Celtic have barely looked back with 13 points from a possible 15 helping them regain the title initiative.

This win was far from vintage but typical of a side with the nous and experience in the likes of Forrest to get the job done.

Dundee’s hopes of a European place to cap a fine return to the Premiership remain alive and their next four fixtures are against teams they have taken points off so far this season.

Their set pieces caused Celtic plenty of problems and manager Tony Docherty – watching from the stand as he served a touchline ban – can take heart after avoiding a repeat of recent heavy defeats in this fixture.
What the managers said

Dundee manager Tony Docherty: “In the second half, we had a really, really strong performance and we went toe to toe with Celtic.

“Sitting up there and watching it, I watched a really good team. I was really, really proud of them. They need to take it into the next game.

“It’s the most shots on target Celtic have faced by a team all season. Just a wee bit unlucky that we didn’t do that wee bit more in front of goal to get the goal.”

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: “We were in control but when the goal goes in, it gives them a bit of hope. You then have to show your spirit and defend your box.

“It was very pleasing to get over the line. We’ve played better at times than what we did today but it was all important to get the three points.”
What’s next?

Dundee are at home again on Saturday against St Mirren (15:00 BST), with Celtic hosting Hearts at the same time.

Live Text

LIVE stream page 1

  1. Match ends, Dundee 1, Celtic 2.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Dundee 1, Celtic 2.

  3. Booking

    Joe Hart (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.

  4. Attempt missed. Michael Mellon (Dundee) header from the right side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Luke McCowan following a set piece situation.

  5. Foul by Adam Idah (Celtic).

  6. Aaron Donnelly (Dundee) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  7. Attempt missed. Luis Palma (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Reo Hatate.

  8. Foul by Adam Idah (Celtic).

  9. Jon McCracken (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  10. Reo Hatate (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  11. Foul by Ricki Lamie (Dundee).

  12. Corner, Dundee. Conceded by Liam Scales.

  13. Substitution

    Substitution, Dundee. Michael Mellon replaces Owen Dodgson.

  14. Attempt missed. Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Matt O’Riley with a cross following a corner.

  15. Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Mohamad Sylla.

  16. Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Owen Dodgson.

  17. Reo Hatate (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  18. Foul by Finlay Robertson (Dundee).

  19. Substitution

    Substitution, Dundee. Aaron Donnelly replaces Josh Mulligan.

  20. Goal!

    Goal! Dundee 1, Celtic 2. Antonio Portales (Dundee) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Mohamad Sylla following a corner.

  • Attempt blocked. Antonio Portales (Dundee) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Owen Dodgson with a cross.

  • Corner, Dundee. Conceded by Luis Palma.

  • Reo Hatate (Celtic) hits the left post with a right footed shot from the centre of the box. Assisted by Alistair Johnston.

  • Substitution

    Substitution, Celtic. Luis Palma replaces James Forrest.

  • Delay over. They are ready to continue.

  • Delay in match because of an injury Ricki Lamie (Dundee).

  • Substitution

    Substitution, Dundee. Finlay Robertson replaces Malachi Boateng.

  • Substitution

    Substitution, Dundee. Dara Costelloe replaces Scott Tiffoney.

  • Goal!

    Goal! Dundee 0, Celtic 2. James Forrest (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.

  • Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ricki Lamie.

  • Attempt saved. Liam Scales (Celtic) header from very close range is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Matt O’Riley with a cross.

  • Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Scott Tiffoney.

  • Delay over. They are ready to continue.

  • Substitution

    Substitution, Celtic. Tomoki Iwata replaces Callum McGregor.

  • Substitution

    Substitution, Celtic. Adam Idah replaces Kyogo Furuhashi.

  • Delay in match because of an injury Malachi Boateng (Dundee).

  • Reo Hatate (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  • Foul by Mohamad Sylla (Dundee).

  • Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  • Foul by Luke McCowan (Dundee).

LIVE stream page 3

  1. Attempt saved. Jordan McGhee (Dundee) header from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Owen Dodgson with a cross.

  2. Corner, Dundee. Conceded by Cameron Carter-Vickers.

  3. Offside, Dundee. Amadou Bakayoko is caught offside.

  4. Foul by Alistair Johnston (Celtic).

  5. Amadou Bakayoko (Dundee) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  6. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  7. Foul by Mohamad Sylla (Dundee).

  8. Corner, Dundee. Conceded by Nicolas Kühn.

  9. Foul by Matt O’Riley (Celtic).

  10. Mohamad Sylla (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  11. Attempt missed. Mohamad Sylla (Dundee) header from very close range misses to the left. Assisted by Owen Dodgson with a cross following a corner.

  12. Corner, Dundee. Conceded by Greg Taylor.

  13. Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ricki Lamie.

  14. Attempt saved. Antonio Portales (Dundee) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Owen Dodgson.

  15. Foul by Liam Scales (Celtic).

  16. Amadou Bakayoko (Dundee) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  17. Corner, Dundee. Conceded by Nicolas Kühn.

  18. Second Half

    Second Half begins Dundee 0, Celtic 1.

  19. Half Time

    First Half ends, Dundee 0, Celtic 1.

  20. Liam Scales (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  1. Foul by Josh Mulligan (Dundee).

  2. Attempt saved. Amadou Bakayoko (Dundee) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Luke McCowan.

  3. Attempt saved. Luke McCowan (Dundee) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Malachi Boateng with a headed pass.

  4. Corner, Dundee. Conceded by James Forrest.

  5. Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  6. Foul by Malachi Boateng (Dundee).

  7. Hand ball by Callum McGregor (Celtic).

  8. Attempt blocked. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Liam Scales.

  9. Attempt missed. Luke McCowan (Dundee) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Mohamad Sylla with a headed pass.

  10. Goal!

    Goal! Dundee 0, Celtic 1. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Kyogo Furuhashi.

  11. Hand ball by Owen Dodgson (Dundee).

  12. Hand ball by Owen Dodgson (Dundee).

  13. Attempt saved. Amadou Bakayoko (Dundee) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Owen Dodgson with a cross.

  14. Attempt missed. Reo Hatate (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.

  15. Attempt blocked. Nicolas Kühn (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by James Forrest with a cross.

  16. Attempt blocked. Amadou Bakayoko (Dundee) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

  17. Foul by Alistair Johnston (Celtic).

  18. Mohamad Sylla (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  19. Offside, Dundee. Josh Mulligan is caught offside.

  20. Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jordan McGhee.

LIVE stream page 5

  1. Hand ball by Mohamad Sylla (Dundee).

  2. Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Luke McCowan.

  3. Attempt saved. Greg Taylor (Celtic) header from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Liam Scales.

  4. Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Luke McCowan.

  5. Attempt saved. Nicolas Kühn (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Alistair Johnston.

  6. Corner, Dundee. Conceded by Nicolas Kühn.

  7. Attempt saved. Nicolas Kühn (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Cameron Carter-Vickers.

  8. Attempt missed. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Cameron Carter-Vickers.

  9. Offside, Dundee. Scott Tiffoney is caught offside.

  10. Kick Off

    First Half begins.

  11. Lineups are announced and players are warming up.