Martin O’Neill was clear in his assessment after Celtic’s narrow win at Dens Park. The result mattered most, but the way the game unfolded left plenty to think about.
Celtic started well and took the lead early through Yang. From that point, they had chances to take control of the match. The movement was there and the openings came, but the finishing didn’t match it.
That kept Dundee alive. The longer it stayed at one goal, the more belief grew in the home side. When the penalty went in, the game turned and Celtic were forced to find a different way through.
It became less about control and more about sticking in it. Iheanacho’s late goal settled it, but it came after a spell where Celtic looked unsure in the final third.
He said: (BBC Sport), “We could not afford to drop points here.
“We should have got two, three and four.
“We have a really good spirit about the side.
“We’re still in it. We’re still fighting on.”
O’Neill’s first point speaks for itself. With Hearts dropping points earlier in the day, Celtic had the chance to close the gap. Anything less than a win would have left them chasing with fewer games to play.
The missed chances explain why the game became difficult. Cvancara had clear openings, and others came from crosses and second balls. Take one more of those and the second half looks very different.
Instead, Dundee were allowed back into it. The penalty shifted momentum and forced Celtic to respond under pressure. That’s where the mindset comes in.
O’Neill pointed to the spirit in the squad, and it showed late on. Even when the game was drifting, Celtic kept pushing bodies into the box and asking questions. Saracchi’s delivery and Iheanacho’s finish came from that persistence.
The table is tighter now. Celtic are three points behind Hearts and one off Rangers. There’s still work ahead, but they’ve given themselves something to build on.
Keep Reading
