In a remarkable Boxing Day showdown, Mikey Johnston shone brightly, scoring twice, marking his first goals for Celtic in four years.
Celtic’s relentless offense in the second half saw them topple Dundee, enhancing their lead to a five-point margin atop the Scottish Premiership.
The first half was a display of missed opportunities for Brendan Rodgers’ team, with Liam Scales, Kyogo Furuhashi, Matt O’Riley, and Luis Palma all coming close to scoring but failing to convert.
The game’s momentum shifted when Paulo Bernardo cleverly slipped the ball past Trevor Carson, netting his first goal for Celtic. Mikey Johnston later emerged off the bench to seal the deal with two late goals, ensuring a Celtic triumph.
Rangers, sitting in second place, have two games in hand and will play one of these before the highly anticipated second Old Firm clash of the season at Celtic Park on Saturday.
Dundee struggled offensively and are positioned seventh in the league, with a lineup of five top-flight matches scheduled for Wednesday.
Key Highlights:
Celtic’s early pressure included a header from Cameron Carter-Vickers and a threatening shot from Bernardo. Luis Palma also had a notable attempt, but his shot soared high.
Scales missed a close header and Kyogo failed to capitalize on O’Riley’s precise long pass, missing a clear scoring opportunity.
Despite several attempts by O’Riley, Carter-Vickers, and Palma, Dundee’s goal remained unbreached in the first half.
After halftime, Greg Taylor missed a crucial chance, but soon, Bernardo found the net, courtesy of Palma’s assist, breaking the stalemate.
Dundee pushed forward, prompting calls for a penalty due to potential handballs, but Celtic stood firm.
Celtic’s Oh Hyeon-gyu attempted a low shot that narrowly missed its mark.
Johnston, replacing Palma, scored twice, overcoming Carson’s efforts in the Dundee goal, and almost completing a hat-trick with a late attempt.
Player of the Match – Luis Palma:
Luis Palma was a pivotal player, particularly on the left flank, and his critical pass led to Bernardo’s opening goal.
Analysis: Celtic’s Determination Rewarded
Celtic’s relentless offensive, especially on the left, finally bore fruit with Bernardo’s goal, showcasing their persistent spirit.
However, an injury to Carter-Vickers is a concern ahead of the upcoming match against Rangers.
Dundee’s defensive strategy was mostly effective, but their counter-attacks were limited. Despite this, they maintain a mid-table position under Tony Docherty’s leadership.
Managerial Insights:
Dundee’s Tony Docherty acknowledged the strength of Celtic, especially when they gain momentum. He emphasized the importance of resilience and bouncing back from this defeat.
Celtic’s Brendan Rodgers praised his team’s performance, highlighting their control of the game and their defensive prowess.
Upcoming Fixtures:
Celtic is set to host Rangers in a highly anticipated match on Saturday, while Dundee will face Kilmarnock later that day.
Match Statistics:
Dundee’s possession was limited to 26% compared to Celtic’s dominant 74%. Celtic outshot Dundee with a staggering 38 attempts to Dundee’s 5, reflecting the one-sided nature of the match.
Mikey Johnston’s exceptional performance earned him an average rating of 7.61, making him the player of the match.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Celtic victory Dundee
Who scored the goals for Celtic in their match against Dundee?
Mikey Johnston scored twice for Celtic, with Paulo Bernardo also finding the net in their 3-0 victory over Dundee.
How did this victory affect Celtic’s position in the Scottish Premiership?
The win moved Celtic five points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership standings.
Did Dundee pose any significant challenge to Celtic in this match?
Dundee struggled to create meaningful attacks and remained largely on the defensive, posing little challenge to Celtic’s dominance.
What was the final score between Celtic and Dundee?
The match ended with a 3-0 victory in favor of Celtic.
Who was named the player of the match in the Celtic vs Dundee game?
Luis Palma was recognized as the player of the match for his influential play, particularly in creating the opening goal for Celtic.
More about Celtic victory Dundee
- Celtic FC Official Website
- Scottish Premiership News
- Match Report: Celtic vs Dundee
- Player Statistics: Mikey Johnston
- Upcoming Fixtures in Scottish Premiership
- Football Analysis and Commentary
7 comments
Carson did what he could, but that defence left him stranded. Tough day at the office for Dundee’s goalie.
Bernardo’s goal was class, understated but so important. He’s proving to be a real asset for the team.
Palma’s been impressive this season, really shows how one player can lift a team’s performance. Deserved player of the match.
disappointed with our performance, we can play so much better than this. Need to step up in the next game.
Wow, Johnston’s back in form finally! been ages since he scored, hope we keep this up #CelticFC
celtic’s playing well but their defence still looks shaky, can see rangers exploiting that in the next game.
Typical, Celtic gets all the luck. Dundee didn’t even show up, wait till the Old Firm match, tables will turn.