Dundee 1
Celtic 2
League (Premiership)

Match Report

Dundee welcomed league leaders Celtic to Dens Park on Wednesday evening for a pre-split meeting between two of the top six teams.

This rescheduled fixture had looked at one stage like it could have been vital in Dundee's hunt for the top six but everyone at the dub was delighted that wasn't the case with the top six place being secured last week.

There was still points on offer though and with a real chance of catching St. Johnstone and Dundee United who occupy 4th and 5th spots, Paul Hartley's team looked to take advantage of a game in hand.

Celtic came into the match hurting after a William Hill Scottish Cup semi final defeat to Inverness Caley Thistle and made changes bringing ex Dundee United pair Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong back into the fold.

Dundee were without Paul McGowan and recalled Paul Heffernan and Alex Harris to the starting eleven, David Clarkson dropped to the bench.

The first half was a fairly even contest with lots of play from both team around the area but neither really threatening the opposition goal early on.

Ex-Dee Leigh Griffiths got onto a ball inside the Dundee area but fired into the side netting from a tight angle but the first real chance of the night brought the first goal just after the half hour mark.

Referee Calum Murray waved advantage before quickly calling back and giving the visitors a free kick when Mackay-Steven was fouled. From the resulting free kick, it was headed back across goal by van Dijk and fell for Mackay-Steven who cooly took his time before finding the top corner.

Right on half time, Dundee had a shout for a penalty when Greg Stewart and van Dijk both challenge for a ball in the area and the Dundee man went over but ref Murray wasn't interested.

The match improved as the team started the second half, with James McPake having an effort for the home side after a good run but a slip at the vital moment took the sting out of the shot and it was easy for Craig Gordon to collect.

James Forrest then tee'd up Griffiths 12 yards out and the ex Dee got a good shot on target but Scott Bain pulled off a fantastic save to keep the score at 1-0.

However, it wasn't to be long until Celtic did double their lead. van Dijk stepped up from similar distance as his free kick in the Semi Final on Sunday and bettered it with a similar up and down over the wall and it flew past Bain and into the top corner.

Dundee brought Luka Tankulic on after a period out injured and the striker had a chance after a poor Biton clearance but his shot was blocked over.

He did have a hand as Dundee pulled on back later on when he fed Paul McGinn on the right. The defender cut it back for Jim McAlister who arrived late and swept the ball into the net beyond Gordon.

Dundee put the pressure on Celtic with McPake immediately heading up front but couldn't find a second goal despite a valiant effort.

Match report written by Official Dundee website