Another shutout performance from Celtic against Dundee
By Nick McAdam
The most anticipated fixture of the season against Rangers comes this Saturday. But first, the Bhoys had another Scottish Premiership contest against 10th placed Dundee.
It was a game that got Brendan Rodgers‘ side some action before the big game against their rivals. Yet again, the Bhoys did so well controlling the flow of the game early on and finishing strong. James Forrest scored in the opening ten minutes and Leigh Griffiths finally got back on the score sheet.
Craig Gordon continues to lead the Premiership in clean sheets with a total of 10 at the moment. 2-0 was the final away at Dundee in this one as the Bhoys hit the 50 point threshold. It’s impressive to note that both Aberdeen and Rangers haven’t hit the 40 point mark yet, further proving Celtic’s dominance in the league this season.
Rodgers continued to use his full backs in more of an offensive position. Griffiths found Kieran Tierney sprinting down the near side who fed the ball to Mikael Lustig. Lustig’s chance went off the post and out.
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Griffiths found some chemistry again with Tierney as the wonderkid passed to Forrest who knocked home the opening goal in the 8th minute. It was an incredible performance from Griffiths as he’s starting to make his case for regular minutes again.
Dundee center back Josh Meekings made a rough tackle on Jonny Hayes in the center of the park. Both players remained down for a good portion of time and both had to be taken off. Hayes has been in good form lately, so fan should only hope for the best.
Darren O’Dea made a confusing pass back towards his keeper that was intercepted by Griffiths. The 27-year-old tried to make a move towards goal past Elliot Parish, but Griffiths ran out of space and was eventually forced out.
Olivier Ntcham sent a through ball towards Griffiths who made no mistake this time and sent it home for his 6th goal of the campaign.
To make a long story short, the Bhoys continued to dominate possession and rip shots on Parish for the rest of the contest. Forrest and Ntcham were really close to a third Celtic goal, and Callum McGregor had a couple chances from outside the box.
The only real chance from Dundee came from Paul McGowan, but his chance from the midfield went over the bar and past Gordon.
It was a similar story from the Hoops as they dominated possession with 56 percent and 19 total shots. Fans really have to give credit to Griffiths as he gave Dundee a lot of danger all day long. Rodgers has to consider Griffiths in the starting lineup in the Old Firm come Saturday.
It all comes down to Rangers before the Bhoys head into an important transfer window in January. The fourth round of the Scottish Cup against Brechin takes place on the 20th of January before Celtic host Partick Thistle in the first game since the break in the Premiership on the 23rd.
Expect big things from the Celts as they head into the most critical part of the season in the upcoming days and weeks.
Was this contest some good preparation for the derby? Glad to see Griffiths back in the lineup? Should the striker start on Saturday? Let us know in the comments below.