Kelechi Iheanacho was Celtic’s hero, coming off the bench to keep their Premiership title hopes alive with a late winner against Dundee.
Martin O’Neill knew his team needed all three points at Dens Park to continue in the chase, and Yang Hyun-joong sent his side on an early lead.
Tomas Kvankala missed two great chances to extend the lead before Colby Donovan’s handball allowed Simon Murray to equalize.
Iheanacho replaced the on-loan forward and slotted Marcelo Saracchi’s cross into the net, sparking wild celebrations.
Celtic caretaker manager Martin O’Neill said after the game: “He’s a fantastic player.” “He is 29 years old and should be at the peak of his career, not fumbling around. He has played for Manchester City.
“It will do him good. He is absolutely buzzing in the dressing room.”
Dundee, who defeated the Hoops at home earlier this season, suffered a setback when Ryan Astley was sent off for a challenge on Yan in the second half.
The victory moved Celtic within three points of Hearts after their draw with Livingston. Rangers remain in second place, just one point away from first place.
hoop end hoo hoo
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Celtic ditch Dundee’s hoodoo and strike first at Dens Park
Celtic have lost three times on Tayside this season with three different managers at the helm, but the defending champions have put an end to their misdeeds and remain in the relegation race.
Jan took the lead eight minutes later with a narrow touch from Benjamin Nygren’s close-range shot, but Kvankala was futile in front of goal and should have been further forward before half-time.
And that waste came back to bite them after the break.
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Simon Murray slotted home from the penalty spot to draw Dundee level.
Video assistant referee (VAR) Matthew McDiarmid spotted the handball from full-back Colby Donovan, and referee Stephen McLean went to the pitchside monitor and pointed to the spot.
Home captain Murray leveled the score with a calm goal and Celtic took their time to regain momentum.
However, as time ran out, substitute Iheanacho fired a left-footed shot past goalkeeper John McCracken to secure the three points.
Centre-back Ryan Astley was then dismissed for sending off Young, reducing Dundee to ten men.
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Ryan Astley was sent off in the second half against Dundee.
O’Neill: We’re still fighting.
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Martin O’Neill reflects on Celtic’s win over Dundee and how important it is in their title challenge
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill told Sky Sports:
“We should have been invisible in the first half.
“We missed quite a few chances and it always felt like they could come back and hurt us, really. Dundee had the wind in their favor in the second half no matter what the slope was.”
“But for us, we conceded the penalty and we could have just sat back and said, ‘Well, it’s not our day.’ We fought back and it was great for us to win the game.”
“That’s what’s keeping us there and we’re still fighting.
“Winning today was a really big success and it allowed us to keep winning.
“Obviously, I’m really happy that the crowd came. The crowd was great all afternoon. Honestly, it kept us going.”
“Six games left, three points between the top three teams.”
McFadden: You can make predictions every week and still be wrong.
The title race is too close for Sky Sports pundit James McFadden to call:
“Hearts will be hoping for an easy win at Livingstone, they are in a great position and are cornered to draw the game.
“Rangers, people expect them to win at Ibrox. Celtic, you weren’t sure if you were going to get a performance or purely a result. We got a result and there were good elements to the performance. There are still things to improve on.”
“It just shows you what you don’t know yet. You can make predictions every week and still be wrong.”
