Dundee 1 – 2 Celtic

James Forrest’s double restored Celtic’s three-point lead on the high of the Scottish Premiership because the champions beat Dundee 2-1 at Dens Park.

Celtic have been tasked with responding to Rangers’ 2-1 victory at St Mirren earlier on Sunday, a consequence which left them stage on factors with their Glasgow rivals.

Forrest, on his first begin in 5 months, set the Hoops on their strategy to avoiding a twist within the title race as his luxurious volley on the half-hour noticed Celtic lead on the break.

Celtic needed to climate a second-half Dundee onslaught earlier than Forrest added his essential second, beginning and ending a transfer which ended with him lashing house on 67 minutes.

Antonio Portales pulled one again for Dundee on 74 minutes to arrange a tense finale however Celtic held on to maneuver three factors away from Rangers on the Scottish Premiership summit with 4 video games remaining.

Celtic preserve tempo in title run-in

Forrest was concerned from the opening moments, working room to shoot huge from lengthy vary, earlier than Nicolas Kuhn compelled two saves from Jon McCracken after reducing in off the fitting flank.

The Dundee goalkeeper pulled a superb, clawing save to stop Greg Taylor’s close-range header creeping in earlier than Reo Hatate stabbed an excellent likelihood huge after extra encouraging play from Forrest within the Dundee space.

Celtic grabbed management of the competition on the half-hour because of a second of magic from Forrest, who confirmed instinctive brilliance to volley the ball house after the ball had popped up off Kyogo Furuhashi on the sting of the field.

Dundee responded effectively to falling behind, with Dundee captain Luke McCowan and Bakayoko stinging Joe Hart’s palms with long-range efforts earlier than the break.

The hosts ramped up the strain on the Celtic aim after the restart, with Mo Sylla heading huge from one in all many harmful Owen Dodgson corners earlier than Hart saved Jordan McGhee’s header.

However Celtic wrestled again the initiative when Forrest dispossessed Portales, drove onto Hatate’s via move to bundle his means via two challenges into the Dundee space the place he rifled via the legs of McCracken.

Dundee halved the deficit 16 minutes from time when Portales’ second tried volley from a nook discovered a well past Hart with the assistance of a depraved deflection off substitute Adam Idah, but it surely did not encourage a late comeback as Celtic floor out the victory.

Rodgers: An essential win

Celtic supervisor Brendan Rodgers: “A very important win for us. It was always going to be really difficult to have a fast, fluid game. The pitch was bumpy and sticky but the boys got the job done.

“He [James Forrest] is likely one of the fathers of the nice success that this membership has had over the past decade or so with the contributions. At the moment you possibly can see why.

“His ability on the ball, first one was a brilliant finish and the second one he makes it look easier than is was. He was bright and clever around the box so he’s been a brilliant player for this club and really great for him to get the two goals.”

Docherty: A lot to be happy with

Dundee supervisor Tony Docherty: “Enormously proud in terms of what they served up and the progression we’ve made as a team. That’s the most shots on target Celtic have faced from any team this season.

“On one other day if we convert one in all two then perhaps it is a completely different end result. However I am unable to criticise the gamers, I requested them to be courageous.

“Nothing’s changed, we both [St Mirren] lost but what I do think has change is my player’s belief has gone through the roof. There’s so much to be proud of there.”

‘Forrest confirmed his worth’

Former Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew on Sky Sports activities:

“He doesn’t like the limelight, he likes to do his job and get on with it. It’s a real credit to him as at the start of the season he wasn’t making squads or getting on the bench.

“To come back in on his first begin since November is nice credit score to him and his professionalism. I am an enormous fan of Forrest as a participant and an individual and he confirmed at present the worth he has for Celtic.”

Sky Sports activities’ James McFadden:

“For Forrest to barely be involved then come back to put in the performance he’s put in is remarkable. You wouldn’t watch that today and say ‘James Forrest is rusty, you can see why he doesn’t play’.

“The rationale he is within the staff is as a result of you already know what you are going to get from him. The opposite wingers have been unpredictable, James makes good choices.”

Sky Sports’ Kris Boyd:

“I feel as a result of Celtic have misplaced wingers as effectively after which there’s new ones coming in they’re at all times going to be those to be given an opportunity since you’ve spent cash on them. His coaching should be at a excessive stage to come back in and put in these performances.”

What’s next?

Dundee’s next Scottish Premiership match is at home to St Mirren on May 4, while Celtic host Hearts.

Both games kick-off at 3pm.

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