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Champions Celtic open Scottish Premiership defence; Dundee finished eighth last season
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FT: Celtic 1-0 Dundee
The opening weekend of the new Scottish Premiership season ends with a narrow win for Celtic against Dundee.
Read George O'Neill's report here and scroll down for reaction from the managers and pundits.
Extended Sportscene highlights will be on BBC One Scotland at 22:45 BST.
In the meantime, send us your views on our dedicated Celtic and Dundee pages.
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FT: Celtic 1-0 Dundee
Image source, SNSCeltic manager Martin O'Neill tells BBC Scotland: "The most important thing is to win the game.
"We created a number of chances, but I didn't think we played particularly well. We could have played with more intensity - it was a typical opening game of the season.
"[Kieran Tierney and Callum McGregor] are the football club. They are the backbone of Celtic and it's great to see them playing together again.
"That's something we are looking at, [signing a back-up left-back]. Kieran - with the best will in the world - will not get through every game. We've got some young lads in the academy, but I think it's a bit early for them.
"I hope [McGregor] is here until he's 45. He had a conversation with the CEO, he's got a couple of years to run [on his deal], he loves it and to me he's potential managerial material.
"Kasper [Hogh] had a number of chances. It was one of those evenings where you want to impress and he will definitely get better. He will score goals.
"[Camilo] Duran, I played him a little bit out of position because we haven't had time for them to play together yet.
"We are doing our utmost to get people in. With about 15 days until the Champions League game, we would like to have people in.
"There's no point in me letting you know [the positions we want]. Overall, we are trying to improve the squad with quality. Quality costs and we're doing our best."
FT: Celtic 1-0 Dundee
It's Celtic boss Martin O'Neill's turn to give his post-match views on Sportsound.
If you didn't catch it, don't worry, we have the best of it typed out.
Don't go anywhere.
FT: Celtic 1-0 Dundee
Yep, that's correct, Richard.
St Mirren were one of five sides to win on the opening weekend of the season.
The only draw was between Dundee United and Rangers, who are again playing catch-up after their first fixture.
Have your say via the contact form at the top of the page
Right, everyone has played their opening game, and St Mirren are top... STOP THE SEASON!
Richard, Paisley
FT: Celtic 1-0 Dundee
Celtic go to Kilmarnock on Sunday (13:30 BST) after Dundee host Aberdeen on Saturday (15:00).
Both sets of players will get a good few days of rest.
FT: Celtic 1-0 Dundee
You will be able to watch the best of the action from Celtic Park on BBC One Scotland at 22:45 BST.
If you're in your bed by then, you'll find it on the iPlayer at some point.
Get highlights of all the matches from the opening weekend here.
FT: Celtic 1-0 Dundee
Dundee boss Steven Pressley tells BBC Scotland: "I'm exceptionally proud of the group. We're in a real transitional moment.
"We were incredibly brave with the ball and without the ball. Also, I couldn't be prouder of how hard they worked tonight.
"It was an exceptional performance and one we can certainly build on. I was really pleased. I was truly proud of the players' performance.
"Our two centre-backs were outstanding tonight, but we do need depth in that area."
Pressley is also hoping for additions in the forward areas.
Image source, SNSFT: Celtic 1-0 Dundee
A very proud Steven Pressley has just given his reaction live on Sportsound.
We've got some quotes coming right up from the Dundee head coach.
FT: Celtic 1-0 Dundee
Scott Brown
Former Celtic captain on BBC Sportsound
Kieran [Tierney] looks like he's hit the ground running this season. Callum [McGregor] always hits the ground running. He's going to be a hard midfielder to replace. He's the brains of this team.
FT: Celtic 1-0 Dundee
The Sportsound panel are currently waxing lyrical about Kieran Tierney.
The left-back set up the winning goal. He quietly chipped away last season and posted impressive numbers, six goals and 12 assists.
The Scotland defender has arguably been Celtic's best player since Martin O'Neill returned for the second time last term.
It's easy to forget he is still just 29. Reports, external today suggested La Liga sides are interested in taking him back to Spain.
Image source, SNSFT: Celtic 1-0 Dundee
Scott Brown
Former Celtic captain on BBC Sportsound
Kasper Hogh's getting in there for the opportunities.
Today wasn't his day, but he'll have chances like that next week.
Image source, SNSFT: Celtic 1-0 Dundee
An expected goals rating of 2.55 for Celtic, which suggests they were pretty wasteful.
Two of their better chances fell to record signing Kasper Hogh, who will have to wait a bit longer for his first goal for his new club.
Martin O'Neill will be encouraged by the fact he was involved.
FT: Celtic 1-0 Dundee
After I've said that, he's just waved about four times. Don't think we can look into that too much, though.
FT: Celtic 1-0 Dundee
The broadcasters are showing us a lot of Alistair Johnston as Celtic embark on their usual Parkhead lap of honour.
No waves goodbye or anything, as far as I can see.
The right-back is attracting interest from Everton.
Celtic 1-0 Dundee
The champions get off to a winning start thanks to a goal from last season's top scorer, Benjamin Nygren.
It wasn't totally convincing, but it probably should have been a more comfortable victory.
Celtic 1-0 Dundee
A deep Dundee free-kick is cleared to the edge of the box and Ryan Finnigan's eyes light up, but his attempt on the volley is waaay off target.
Celtic 1-0 Dundee
The board shows three additional minutes as Ashley Hay takes a yellow.
Celtic 1-0 Dundee
That's not too far away from Ethan Hamilton, who lets fly from range. That had Viljami Sinisalo scrambling.
Celtic 1-0 Dundee
Substitute Sebastian Tounekti jinks into the box but slashes at his finish and it's another chance wasted for Celtic.
Benjamin Nygren scored the game's decisive goal
At a glance
Defending champions open with deserved victory
Nygren heads home game's only goal on 52 minutes
Celtic captain McGregor hits post and record signing Hogh misses several chances
Celtic began their Scottish Premiership title defence with a narrow home victory as Benjamin Nygren's header downed Dundee.
After a drab first half, Sweden midfielder Nygren met a magnificent cross from Kieran Tierney on 52 minutes for the game's only goal.
Tierney was one of Celtic's key performers last term as they chased down Hearts in a thrilling finale, and he stood up with a moment of quality once more to start the new campaign.
The margin of victory could have been more comfortable for Martin O'Neill's side had Arne Engels and club-record signing Kasper Hogh not spurned gilt-edged chances in the first half.
There was more wasteful finishing after the break, with Hogh poking wide and substitute Sebastian Tounekti firing well over the top after some neat footwork created the opening.
Callum McGregor appeared to have added a deserved second when he curled a right-footed shot towards the top corner, but it bounced to safety off the post.
Dundee had their moments - Charlie Reilly rippled the side netting after a neat lay-off from Simon Murray in the first half and Ashley Hay's header forced a fine save from Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo late on.
However, Celtic saw the game out without alarm to take all three points.
As is so often the case in the off season, the focus at Celtic has been on the transfer market and whether their squad is equipped to compete both domestically and in Europe.
Hogh and Camilo Duran are the only summer arrivals so far at Parkhead and both were handed debuts from the start.
Duran was shifted out wide to accommodate Hogh playing through the middle and the game largely passed the Colombian by, with a neat second-half turn his sole highlight.
Hogh was more involved and probably should have got his first Celtic goal, but failed to hit the target with any of his four shots inside the Dundee box.
Instead, it was three established stars who delivered amid a slightly rusty display.
Tierney's cross was typical of a player who creates plenty of goals from full-back, Nygren opened his account for the season with a straightforward header after scoring 21 times last season, and McGregor drove standards from midfield as he so often does.
There will almost certainly be further incomings and outgoings at Celtic in the coming weeks, but those core players are who O'Neill will rely on to lead the way.
From a Dundee perspective, Pressley spoke of how proud he was of his team post-match and you can understand why.
The visitors put in a huge effort defensively and had their moments at the other end.
Centre-back duo Ryan Astley and Owen Bevan were outstanding, making nine interceptions and 15 clearances between them.
On paper, this is their toughest league game and they return to Dens Park having limited the damage.
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill: "The most important thing is to win the game.
"We created a number of chances, but I didn't think we played particularly well. We could have played with more intensity - it was a typical opening game of the season.
"[Kieran Tierney and Callum McGregor] are the football club. They are the backbone of Celtic and it's great to see them playing together again."
Dundee manager Steven Pressley: "I'm exceptionally proud of the group. We're in a real transitional moment.
"We were incredibly brave with the ball and without the ball. Also, I couldn't be prouder of how hard they worked tonight.
"It was an exceptional performance and one we can certainly build on. I was really pleased. I was truly proud of the players' performance.
"Our two centre-backs were outstanding tonight, but we do need depth in that area."
Celtic are away to Kilmarnock on Sunday (13:30 BST), while Dundee host Aberdeen on Saturday (15:00).
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
|
Manager:Martin O'Neill
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager:Steven Pressley
Formation:4 - 4 - 2
Scottish Premiership
All competitions
All competitions
Celtic have never lost in seven previous instances of facing Dundee on the opening day of a league season (W4 D3), winning their last three in a row, most recently in 1986-87 (1-0).
Dundee have lost 23 of their last 25 away games at Celtic in all competitions (D2) since a 2-0 win in May 2001 under Ivano Bonetti.
Celtic have won 23 of the last 24 occasions that they have played at home on MD1 of a league season, drawing the other 0-0 with Kilmarnock in 2007-08.
Dundee haven’t won their opening match in any of their last six Scottish Premiership campaigns (D3 L3) since a 3-1 victory over Ross County in 2016-17.
Reigning Scottish champions have won on MD1 in each of the last 14 seasons by an aggregate score of 43-7 since Rangers drew 1-1 with Hearts in 2011-12. Indeed, Celtic themselves have won their opener in each of the last 14 occasions they have started a season as title-holders since a 0-0 draw with Kilmarnock in 2007-08.
This is just the second time in Celtic’s entire history that they have opened a league campaign with a match played on a Monday. The previous instance was in 1921-22, beating Raith Rovers 4-0.
Martin O’Neill has won four of his five MD1 league games as Celtic manager, with the only exception a 0-0 draw with Dunfermline Athletic in 2003-04.
Former Dundee player Luke McCowan’s only Scottish Premiership goal last season was in Celtic’s 1-0 win over St. Mirren on MD1. The last Celtic player to score in their opening league game of back-to-back seasons was Odsonne Édouard (3 in a row from 2018-19 to 2020-21).
