Kelechi Iheanacho’s late goal at Dens Park gave Celtic more than just three points. It came at a moment where the game was drifting, and with Hearts dropping points earlier in the day, the chance to close the gap was there.
Celtic had controlled spells, especially in the first half, but they didn’t take enough of their chances. That left the door open. Dundee stayed in the game and took their opportunity from the spot after the break.
At 1-1, it felt like another afternoon where Celtic might leave points behind. The tempo dipped and the final ball wasn’t there often enough. That’s been a theme in recent weeks.
Iheanacho changed that. He came on, found space in the box, and finished from close range when Saracchi’s cross arrived. It was a simple goal, but it came from being in the right place at the right time.
He said: (BBC Sport), “It’s massive. It’s really massive for the team.
“It’s scary to drop points today.
“Obviously, where we are on the table, close to the top.
“I’m happy to help the team.
“We need to keep winning to get there.”
That goal shifts the table. Celtic now sit three points behind Hearts and one off Rangers. It keeps them right in it going into the next round of games.
There’s still work to do. The chances missed earlier in the match meant the game stayed tight longer than it should have. That invites pressure late on.
The shape also changed when Iheanacho came on. He gave Celtic a focal point in the box, something that had been missing. Crosses had a target, and Dundee’s defence had to deal with a different problem.
That’s the difference in games like this. Not control, but taking one moment when it comes.
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