Dundee Vs Celtic: Nygren Strikes as Celtic Take Early Control at Dens Park
The dundee vs celtic clash at Dens Park moved quickly on Sunday, 5 April, as Celtic found the breakthrough after sustained pressure in the opening period. Benjamin Nygren got the decisive touch after a lengthy VAR check, and the visitors were already forcing Dundee deep inside their own box. The match kicked off at 4: 30pm BST, with Celtic pushing to stay in touch at the top end of the Scottish Premiership table.
Early Pressure Turns Into a Lead
Celtic created the most dangerous moments before the goal and kept asking questions through the middle of the pitch. Daizen Maeda stretched to reach a final ball from Benjamin Nygren and could only shoot straight at Jon McCracken, who saved with a foot. Moments later, Alexander Oxlade-Chamberlain worked space well and sent in a teasing cross, but Yang Hyun-Jun and Maeda could not get there in time.
The breakthrough finally arrived after more chaos in the Dundee penalty box. Tomas Cvancara’s shot on the turn was saved, Yang Hyun-Jun then scooped the ball over McCracken, and Nygren was on hand to bundle it in from close range. After the video review, the goal stood and Celtic led.
Former Celtic captain Scott Brown, speaking on Sportscene, said: “Nygren is in the right place at the right time for a tap-in. ” That assessment matched the pattern of the opening spell, with Celtic repeatedly finding space and Dundee struggling to settle.
Dundee Fight for a Response
Dundee did have brief moments to lift the home crowd. Tony Yogane produced a couple of tidy turns near halfway, while Cam Congreve sent one effort high into the stand after a move that began to build some momentum. But the more important actions kept coming from Celtic, who sliced Dundee open through the middle and kept their attacks alive.
At the back, Jon McCracken was kept busy. He stopped a low shot from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and later controlled a fierce pass-back with his chest to avoid conceding a corner. Dundee, however, still looked short of a clear opening of their own.
Celtic Team Shape and Match Setting
Celtic arrived at Dens Park with a possible starting XI that featured Viljami Sinisalo in goal and Benjamin Nygren in an advanced role, while Dundee named Jon McCracken among their starters. The match came amid a difficult run for Celtic, who had gone seven league matches without a clean sheet and were trying to steady their title defence after a mixed stretch.
The broader context remains simple: Celtic needed a strong result, and Dundee were looking to make life uncomfortable at home. The opening passage of dundee vs celtic suggested exactly that kind of contest, with Celtic on the front foot and Dundee searching for a foothold.
What Comes Next
The next phase will hinge on whether Dundee can break Celtic’s control and whether the visitors can turn pressure into a second goal. With Nygren already on the scoresheet after the VAR delay, the pace of dundee vs celtic suggests there could still be more changes before the final whistle.
