In an exciting Boxing Day showdown, Mikey Johnston shone with his first goal for Celtic in four years, going on to secure a double.
Celtic showcased their dominance by defeating Dundee with a trio of goals in the second half, widening their lead to five points atop the Scottish Premiership.
The first half saw a flurry of near-misses from Celtic, with Liam Scales, Kyogo Furuhashi, Matt O’Riley, and Luis Palma all threatening the Dundee goal. Brendan Rodgers’ team, however, couldn’t convert their opportunities.
The game’s momentum shifted when Paulo Bernardo cleverly maneuvered the ball past Trevor Carson, marking his debut Celtic goal. Mikey Johnston, coming off the bench, sealed the deal with two late goals, ensuring Celtic’s victory.
Rangers, sitting in second place, have a couple of matches in hand and will face one of these before clashing with Celtic in the season’s second Old Firm derby at Celtic Park on Saturday.
Dundee struggled offensively, leaving them in the seventh position before the upcoming midweek top-flight matches.
In the game’s early stages, Celtic exerted pressure with Cameron Carter-Vickers’ header and a Bernardo shot causing trouble for Dundee. Palma’s wide curling shot was one of many missed opportunities. Scales narrowly missed a header, and Kyogo failed to capitalize on O’Riley’s excellent pass, sending the ball wide.
The match continued in a similar vein after halftime, with Celtic persistently attacking but unable to score until Bernardo finally broke through, capitalizing on Palma’s assist.
Dundee pushed more players forward, leading to a couple of handball penalty appeals against Celtic that were dismissed. Luke McCowan’s deflected shot was one of Dundee’s few chances.
Substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu attempted to curl a shot for Celtic but missed. Johnston, however, removed any doubts about the outcome with two late goals, despite Carson’s efforts to stop one with a corner save.
Johnston narrowly missed a hat-trick with a late swirling shot.
Player of the Match – Luis Palma was instrumental in Celtic’s success, particularly on the left flank, playing a key role in Bernardo’s opening goal.
Persistence was the key for Celtic, as they continued to create chances, particularly from the left side, which eventually led to Bernardo’s goal. However, an injury to Carter-Vickers ahead of the Rangers match is a concern.
Dundee’s defense was solid, often blocking shots and crosses, a testament to their mid-table position. Despite a lack of offensive opportunities, they managed a few moments of threat.
Celtic’s Brendan Rodgers praised his team’s performance, emphasizing their control over the game and defensive strength.
Looking ahead, Celtic hosts Rangers in a highly anticipated match on Saturday, while Dundee travels to face Kilmarnock.
The match statistics highlighted Celtic’s dominance, with a significant advantage in possession, shots, and corners. Player ratings reflect the game’s dynamics and individual performances.
Celtic’s victory underlines their championship caliber and sets the stage for an exciting Old Firm derby.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Celtic Dundee Victory
Who scored the first goal for Celtic in their match against Dundee?
Paulo Bernardo scored the first goal for Celtic, marking his debut goal for the team.
What was the final score in the Celtic vs Dundee match?
Celtic won the match with a score of 3-0 against Dundee.
Who was the standout player in the Celtic vs Dundee match?
Mikey Johnston was the standout player, scoring two goals for Celtic in the second half.
How has this victory affected Celtic’s position in the Scottish Premiership?
This victory placed Celtic five points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
What challenges did Celtic face in their match against Dundee?
Despite dominating possession, Celtic struggled to convert opportunities in the first half and faced a few defensive challenges.
When is Celtic’s next significant match and against whom?
Celtic’s next significant match is the Old Firm derby against Rangers, scheduled for Saturday at Celtic Park.
Did Dundee create any significant opportunities in the match?
Dundee had limited attacking opportunities, with their offensive struggles leaving them in seventh place in the league.
More about Celtic Dundee Victory
- Celtic vs Dundee Match Report
- Scottish Premiership Standings
- Mikey Johnston’s Performance Analysis
- Upcoming Old Firm Derby Preview
- Brendan Rodgers’ Post-Match Comments
- Dundee’s Season Summary
6 comments
Great to see Paulo Bernardo getting his first goal, he’s been impressive this season.
not sure what Dundee was thinking with that defence, practically handed the game to Celtic…
Celtic’s possession and shot stats were insane, Dundee didn’t stand a chance.
Tough loss for Dundee, but there’s still plenty of the season left, hope we bounce back soon.
wow, celtic really showed their class agains Dundee, Johnston is on fire lately!
Lets see how they do against us in the Old Firm, Rangers are ready for them