Celtic 3
Dundee 0
League (Premier League)

Match Report

A double from Bobo Balde gave Celtic a 3-0 win in Wednesday's Bank of Scotland SPL fixture. Stilian Petrov had given Celtic the lead in 49 minutes at Celtic Park after Dundee had defended superbly in a scoreless first half. Bobo Balde extended the champions' lead ten minutes later netting from a Petrov corner.

Brent Sancho and Bobby Mann returned to the starting line up. They replaced Tam McManus out with an ankle injury, and Joel Kitamirike, who dropped to the bench.

Garry Brady replaced the injured Mark Fotheringham at Celtic Park shortly before the end of a goal-less first half. Dundee did well to survive a torrent of pressure from the Parkhead men with Lee Wilkie and Bobby Mann marshalling John Sutton and Craig Bellamy in that first forty-five minutes.

Derek Soutar was called upon on a couple of occasions but was in top form when he was required to be.

In fact, Dundee created two of the best chances of the half.

And it was Dundee who carved out an opening in the 12th minute when Fabian Caballero picked out Neil Barrett but the midfielder pulled his shot wide from a tight angle, 12 yards out.

Moments later Celtic were exposed again as striker Steve Lovell found himself unmarked in the penalty area, but his shot went straight at goalkeeper Robert Douglas.

Celtic responded with a Chris Sutton header that 'keeper Derek Soutar did well to keep out. Sutton then produced a neat bit of skill to squeeze in a shot on the turn but the ball flew over the crossbar from eight yards.

Dundee continued to frustrate the champions and Craig Bellamy watched his powerful goal-bound effort slam into a defender and spin wide as the first-half petered out.

However, the home support was celebrating soon after the interval when Petrov broke the deadlock.

Jackie McNamara swung in a deep cross from the right and the Bulgarian was allowed to drift in behind the Dundee defence and score with a close range header.

Petrov then knocked Sutton's pass into John Hartson's path and the net looked certain to bulge, but Soutar's leg deflected the ball onto the crossbar and the keeper was able to jump to his feet to save Stanislav Varga's effort.

The second goal came soon after and it was Balde who rose highest in a crowded goalmouth to nod in a Petrov corner. Alan Thompson a n d Bellamy went close with shots before Soutar pulled off another good save fro m Hartson. With four minutes remaining the win was sealed when Balde scored his second goal from another Petrov cross.

Whilst bottom of the table Livingston won 3-1 against Kilmarnock to make the following Saturday's Dens clash all the more vital, second bottom Dundee United lost at home to ten man Aberdeen which, at least, prevented them leapfrogging Dundee which they would have done had they won.

Match report written by Dundee Matchday Programme