Last season could hardly have been more much more eventful from a Celtic point of view, so what will this campaign bring? Well, unusually on a Monday night, there will be the usual Flag Day celebrations at Parkhead, followed by a clash with Dundee, in which Martin O'Neill's will be overwhelming favourites for victory.
Celtic vs Dundee match info
- Date: Monday 3 August 2026.
- Kick off times: 7:30pm (local).
- Competition: Scottish Premiership
- Venue: Parkhead - Glasgow, Scotland.
- How to watch: Sky Sports (UK) and Paramount+ (USA).
How can I watch Celtic vs Dundee?
This match is being broadcast on Sky Sports Ultra HD, Main Event and Football in the UK.
Around the world, this game is also available on Paramount+ in the United States, beIN SPORTS 3 in Australia, ESPN in Africa and Celtic Player to international subscribers.
Celtic vs Dundee match preview
Will Celtic make a winning start to their latest Premiership title defence? Already this weekend, last season's runners-up Hearts were beaten in dramatic fashion at Pittodrie on Saturday, while Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw at Tannadice on Friday night. Thus, the Celts know they cannot take anything for granted.
It has been a tumultuous and turbulent off-season, with fan unrest against the board very much continuing, but the mood might just be starting to improve. The Hoops failed to win any of their four pre-season friendlies, with supporter boycotts very much evident as they drew with Middlesbrough and A.C. Milan at home. In the latter a week ago, the hosts raced into a 2-0 lead, new signing Camilo Durán and James Forrest on target, but were pegged back to 2-2.
Nevertheless, Parkhead is sold out and will be packed to the rafters as the competitive action commences. The Celts have won each of their last 12 Flag Day openers, most-recently failing to win at home on the opening weekend against Kilmarnock in 2007, a 0-0 draw, and are fully expected to extend that streak.
As for Dundee, they finished eighth last season, eight points clear of the relegation zone, hoping for something similar this time round. Unlike their hosts, Steven Pressley's side already have four competitive matches under their belt in the League Cup. The Dee enjoyed wins over Airdrieonians, Annan and Clyde, drawing with Ross County in Dingwall, going through in second place of Group D.
The Dark Blues did beat Celtic at Dens last October, what turned out to be Brendan Rodgers' final game in charge, but have not won at Parkhead for a quarter of a century. If Dundee manage to change that, it would require a monumental upset.
Celtic team news
Colombian striker Camilo Durán, who has arrived from Qarabağ for £6 million, has scored in each of Celtic's last three pre-season friendlies, against Sporting, Middlesbrough and A.C. Milan, so will be looking to carry that form into the competitive campaign. Meantime, it will be interesting to see how he is deployed by Martin O'Neill.
That is because, Celtic have also signed long-standing target Kasper Høgh from Bodø/Glimt, who is also a centre-forward, so how will the pair work together? Elsewhere, after suffering a ruptured Achilles in October, Cameron Carter-Vickers has featured prominently during pre-season, which is a major boost. Despite interest from English clubs, Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels remain Celtic players for now at least.
Unless a new player is signed, Viljami Sinisalo is set to be the number on goalkeeper. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has signed a new contract, while Jota is not yet ready to feature, after 16 months in the treatment room.
Dundee team news
It will be interesting to see how Steven Pressley selects in goal. Kieran O'Hara started the last three League Cup fixtures, but Owen Goodman has since joined on loan from Crystal Palace. Thus, the 22 year old, who was in Canada's World Cup squad earlier this summer, is expected to come straight in.
Out-field, Žan Bešir is the Dee's new Slovenian signing, while Simon Murray will continue to be their main goal threat. He scored twice during the League Cup group stages, while the 34 year old has twice netted against Celtic. On of these came for Dundee United a decade ago, while he also converted a penalty when the pair last met on Easter weekend.
Predicted Line-ups
- Celtic predicted lineup: Sinisalo; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney: McGregor, Engels, McCowan; Forrest, Tounekti, Durán.
- Dundee predicted lineup: Goodman; Wright, Halliday, Astley, Donnelly, Odutayo; Finnigan, Hamilton, Žan Bešir; Hay, Murray.
- Score prediction: Celtic 4-0 Dundee.
Add us as a preferred source on Google