It’s the most shots on target Celtic have conceded in any team, so I was proud of the performance. Surely they gave me everything and Celtic knew they were in the game today.
It’s incredibly vital. You reviewed your contribution today with the two arrivals. He’s a very no-nonsense professional who has done it year after year, year after year. No one can question that or the vital role it still has to play here. He’s a very sensible player and we want him fit.
It’s huge for any player coming into the team because we want the full squad right now. I feel like I’ve contributed since I came on as a substitute.
I’m happy to start today and score the two goals to help the team, which is the most important thing.
We’ve been given 4 league games and a cup final to look forward to, so I can keep contributing.
Honestly, it’s all down to Diazen’s absence and the consistency of the performances,” he told Sky Sports. “I know James will teach me that.
He will have played as many games today as he did last season and he has been there and done it for us.
He’ll take care of the ball for us and that’s what it will be today.
Don’t let your team get close to them! Stevie (Wright) laughed a little with me, didn’t he?He’s a smart guy, he’s a Celtic idiot, he’s a Celtic fool, but you have to know. your place. . .
This is the moment when you have to aim for your trophy head-on. You want to focus on what it takes to be a champion. The players here know it well.
They perceive the mentality, they perceive the mental characteristics necessary at this stage. Physically, you’ve done a lot of your work. Maybe there will be one or two players coming back or catching up, but in general, that’s it. mental now.
That’s the time of the season when this team has been very good and this club has been outstanding. The psychology of football is still there, especially at this level of the season.
It’s just a matter of making sure that the players are calm, that they are prepared and that their task is clear. We don’t have anyone coming in from the outside or anything like that, just a calm in the air.
It’s in the background. Sometimes it’s the framework language you use and the words you use with the players. I think that’s very, very important right now.
It’s a relief for Celtic, who made sure to end the weekend three points clear at the top of the table.
Rangers drew with a 2-1 win at St Mirren at lunchtime, but the champions managed a result in Dundee.
And James Forrest came to the Hoops, adding a brace to his goal against Aberdeen at Hampden last weekend.
A brilliant volley in the first half followed a slower finish after the break that likely put the visitors on course for a regime win.
But an own goal from Adam Idah after Antonio Portales’ shot created a nerve-wracking finish at Dens Park. However, Tony Docherty was unable to hold the Glasgow green side to a draw after denying the 3 problems to the blue side just before. division.
None of the name contenders have had any past performances, but that doesn’t matter at this point in the season and Brendan Rodgers will take things and move on.
Then there’s the Hearts at home, who have beaten the Hoops home and away this season and with the Rangers taking on Kilmarnock the following week, many next weekend may be one where they look disappointed ahead of the big event on May 11. . .
That’s the word Brendan Rodgers used to describe Forrest, who has now discovered him in 15 consecutive seasons as a Celtic player.
The 32-year-old is in good form at this point in the season and can make a difference in the Hoops’ bid to win a Premiership and Scottish Cup double.
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Dundee manager Tony Docherty was proud of his team’s performance despite the defeat to the champions.
The former Aberdeen number two watched the game from the stands while serving a one-match ban in the lineout, but says he may not have asked for more from the men in dark blue and feels they gave Celtc as clever control as they did in the top flight this season.
It’s the most shots on target Celtic have conceded in any team, so I was proud of the performance. Surely they gave me everything and Celtic knew they were in the game today.
Celtic captain Callum McGregor praised his former teammate Forrest and thanked the match winner for his professionalism as he waited for the opportunity.
It’s incredibly vital. You reviewed your contribution today with the two arrivals. He’s a very no-nonsense professional who has done it year after year, year after year. No one can question that or the vital role it still has to play here. He’s a very sensible player and we want him fit.
James Forrest is very happy to make a difference in his first start since November, as the veteran winger once reminded Celtic fans of what he is capable of.
It’s huge for any player coming into the team because we want the full squad right now. I feel like I’ve contributed since I came on as a substitute.
I’m happy to start today and score the two goals to help the team, which is the most important thing.
We’ve been given 4 league games and a cup final to look forward to, so I can keep contributing.
Sometimes it wasn’t fair, but it doesn’t matter at this stage of the season. It all depends on the three things and that’s exactly what the champions did. Our boy Graeme Young took three things to talk about a big win at Tayside. . LEARN MORE
The work done for Celtic, as it was for Rangers before them, was not pleasant.
Two James Forrest tricycles in either break kept their rivals at bay in the race for the name with the gap reduced to 3 points.
But Adam Idah’s own goal made things a little more nervous than they deserved.
Still, that’s three issues at a position where the Gers have taken just one and the game has been removed from the roster as the critical moment approaches.
Performance issues are less than effects at the moment, and as far as champions go, it’s the right one in Tayside.
A big one is missing for Dundee.
Mellon sees a free kick hit the post deep in his head.
But when he returns to goal, he aims at the near post and misses his jump, heading harmlessly.
That may be the case with a little over a minute to go.
5 to play in Dens. . .
Another one for Dundee.
Dodgson is replaced by Michael Mellon.
Another one for the Dark Blues. Donnelly replaces Mulligan.
Dundee is back from nowhere!
Unsurprisingly, it came from a corner through Dodgson.
Its functionality wasn’t as clever this time around and Portales’ initial attempt was blocked.
However, the Mexican takes a second bite out of the cherry and the swinger comes off Idah, deflects Hart and bounces off the net to cut the deficit in half.
Just as Celtic looked relaxed, we may have a nervous last quarter of an hour and more so here at Tayside. . .
We almost arrived.
Reo Hatate thought he had added a third, but his effort bounced off the post with McCracken well-hit and bounced to safety.
That second goal calmed Celtic and they seem to have found a rhythm they lacked for most of that game.
There will be no hat-trick for James Forrest.
He rested for the last 20 minutes or so and Luis Palma will be out.
Dundee with double gearing.
Boateng and Tiffoney left with Costelloe and Robertson as substitutes.
Forrest to the double!
They have been deficient since the break, but they are looking for the 3 points.
Portales tries to be one as well and play from the back.
He takes the ball away from him and Forrest manages to beat Lamie as the ball bounces very well.
From point-blank range, he most likely never missed and went through the laces to get the ball under McCracken and give the champions some breathing room.
Brendan Rodgers saw enough in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Adam Idah and Tomoki Iwata are called to the bench.
Malachi Boateng is undergoing treatment for Dundee but looks set to return.
Kyago’s afternoon ends, he leaves with Callum McGregor.
Dodgson’s corners are problematic and Jordan McGhee has done better there.
He conceded a header to the far post, but with no one around, it goes straight to Hart and is a simple save for the Celtic goalkeeper.
But the visitors don’t report those set-pieces and that will count if they don’t get it right.
A first for Dundee and a wake-up call for Celtic.
Dodgson’s delivery from a corner was unpleasant and Hart couldn’t catch him.
Mo Sylla is the most sensible at the far post and dives forward, but for the home side he is only a full-back.
At the moment they separate as the brighter of the two, but you feel like they have to take the initiative when they’re at the top.
Dundee restarts the action.
There is no replacement on the side.
Will the hosts be able to play the match and reopen the race for the name?
So far, as smart as Celtic are, there is still room for improvement.
A goal from James Forrest, the undisputed protagonist of the Tayside champions.
HI’s goal made the difference, more was expected from Dundee after the break.
They’ve made some efforts from a distance, but so far it’s been an enjoyable afternoon for Joe Hart.
but Brendan Rodgers will insist that his side find a second goal sooner rather than later, as things will get nervous if the score remains 1-0 heading into the final stages.
Looking at Ibrox, one expects this to be the worst-case scenario, but as long as the merit remains small, there is a chance that Dundee will do it again.
James Forrest celebrates his first time at Dens Park
McCowan and Bakayoko tried on purpose or headed straight for the Celtkc goalkeeper, who held on with ease.
The Dark Blues were in decent positions at half-time, but most of the time they didn’t capitalise on them.
Celtic were to blame for playing too much in the crowded midfield and the attacks fell apart.
Luke McCoawn has too much as he tries to vouch for Dundee.
Johnston stepped back, allowing McCowan to play and spin. He aimed for the most sensible corner with a left-footed shot, but Hart controlled to pass the ball over the crossbar.
Celtic locate the opening goal and it’s James Forrest!
He scored two goals in as many games with a very good finish.
Hatate sends him to Kyogo, and his compatriot gives the first touch or expertly throws Forrest.
The winger guided the ball into the far corner and McCracken may just sit still and watch the hosts fall after half an hour.
Good defence from the Irishman to save him a good chance in Dundee.
Dodgson sends in a damaging low ball that begs Bakayoki to receive it at point-blank range.
But Scales reads it well and makes sure to clarify his framework before Joe Hart has to worry.
Another decent Celtic player is missing.
Forrest is tenacious when it comes to sticking to the signature and delivering a lovely delivery.
Dodgson did enough to deny Kuhn that the ball bounced out of hatred.
The Japanese advanced with an unorthodox volley and connected quite well, but failed to hit the target and largely recovered with McCracken coming out relieved.
Celtic have been at the forefront, but Dundee have managed to keep the back door closed so far.
Tony Docherty, who watches from the stands due to a suspension, will need to see his men more in an offensive sense, but he will be quite pleased with how things are going.
Celtic had just noticed their territorial superiority diminishing a little after a clever start, but were overly concerned when Dundee managed to take the lead.
Kuhn is getting it this time.
Slash Insdie Dodgson while Alistair Johnston provides the lure during the journey.
The German aimed for the back corner, but McCracken dropped back to deflect the winger’s attempt away from danger.
Then Liam Scales headed for the goal and Taylor tried to nod his head towards the post, but McCracken did very well to get his hands on it and get it off the line.
Celtic got off to a smart start and can be considered unfortunate for not taking the lead in the first 10 minutes.
James Forrest seems to be making an early impact, just as he did coming off the bench against the Dons last weekend at Hampden.
But his goal fell short this week when his shot went over McCracken’s crossbar.
Let’s go in Dens Park!
All eyes are on Cetic after Rangers’ win over St Mirren in the midday kick-off.
They’ve made Dundee’s task easier this season, but the tension can do fun things for teams in a race for names.
The Dark Blues have already put the brakes on Rangers’ work in weeks. Will they be able to do the same with the league leaders?