Celtic’s Struggles at Dundee Highlight Bigger Concerns for the Season
Celtic endured a frustrating outing at Dens Park, managing only a draw against a spirited Dundee side. Despite leading twice during the match, the Bhoys failed to capitalize on their chances, allowing Tony Docherty’s injury-hit team to mount an impressive comeback. A late penalty salvaged a point for Celtic in what was a thrilling six-goal encounter.
The game started promisingly for Celtic as Luke McCowan’s header gave them an early lead in the fifth minute. However, missed opportunities by Paulo Bernardo and Adam Idah proved costly. Idah fluffed a close-range chance, while Bernardo’s effort ricocheted off the crossbar, leaving the door open for Dundee to respond. Docherty’s men fought back with determination, taking the lead at one stage and threatening to hand Celtic a rare defeat.
Celtic legend Chris Sutton did not hold back in his post-match analysis, commending Dundee for their grit while criticizing Celtic’s underwhelming display. “Dundee as gutsy as they come. Well played Tony Doherty and his team. Celtic, too many players off the boil and after Dundee went 3-2 up never really looked like equalising,” he wrote. Sutton did acknowledge the importance of the point, calling Engels’ penalty under pressure “cool” and praising the excitement of the match.
This lackluster performance is part of a concerning trend for Celtic fans. The team has struggled in recent weeks, often appearing passive and unable to dominate games. From narrowly beating Ross County to stumbling against Dundee United and needing late goals to secure wins, the pattern is clear. Even at Celtic Park, a comfortable 2-0 lead against St Mirren almost slipped away until Nicolas Kuhn added a decisive third.
With a hectic schedule looming, including a Scottish Cup clash and a vital Champions League tie against Young Boys, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers faces mounting pressure to reinvigorate his squad. If the Bhoys fail to find their rhythm soon, these persistent issues could result in missed opportunities in crucial competitions. Fans will be hoping Rodgers can rally his team before it’s too late.