Martin O’Neill handed Celtic their last win as they closed the gap on Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts.
Daizen Maeda’s brave 11th-minute header earned O’Neill a 1-0 win over Dundee in his farewell game, replacing Wilfried Nancy, who was confirmed to take over an hour before kick-off.
It was O’Neill’s seventh win in eight games since returning to Celtic Park 20 years after his first spell ended.
Celtic were eight points behind Hearts when O’Neill and Sean Maloney took over as caretaker managers following the sudden departure of Brendan Rodgers in late October.
The 73-year-old remains at Celtic, with one game remaining at the top of the league on goal difference.
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Martin O’Neill has spoken for the last time as caretaker manager after Celtic beat Dundee to move level on points with Hearts.
O’Neill’s players could have given their manager a less stressful and heated song, but they were unable to build on a strong start and Dundee caused moments of tension for the home supporters.
That included a sparsely filled standing section with the bottom six rows sealed off following an indefinite suspension extended to the Green Brigade on Tuesday.
Martin O’Neill makes full-time appearance in final game as Celtic caretaker manager
Anti-board chants rang out alongside the tributes to O’Neill, reminding Nancy that they are inheriting a club that is divided, despite having the base to challenge for league games, the Europa League and a fun final in the Premier Sports Cup final.
His third game. His first two games are against Hearts and Roma.
Celtic quickly took the lead, with Maeda and Reo Hatate threatening from long range.
Yang Hyun-jun continued to rejuvenate under O’Neill, forcing a save from John McCracken after receiving a lofted pass from the flag bearer, and the rebound was headed home by Maeda, only to be caught by Luke Graham’s head in a fierce collision.
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda scores to make it 1-0 against Dundee
Celtic played with 10 men for several minutes before the Japan forward returned from the tunnel with a bandage and a black eye.
Celtic continued to press and Arne Engels and Jan had chances, but Marcelo Saracchi made a good save. The Uruguayan left-back soon appeared to suffer a recurrence of his hamstring injury and was sent off after Kieran Tierney scored a straight.
exchange.
There was a first half scare for Celtic when Simon Murray hit the bar after a short headed pass from Liam Scales. Kasper Schmeichel’s save from Cameron Congreve’s follow-up resulted in the offside flag being raised.
Celtic made a strong start to the second half. After Luke McCowan’s shot, Maeda was unable to get the rebound on target and Hatate had his shot saved after some great football.
Dundee started to look threatening midway through the first half. Substitute Ashley Hay was freed by a long ball and tried her luck from an ambitious angle, shaking off Scales’ attempt to bring it down. Schmeichel blocked his weak shot.
Finlay Robertson then tried his luck from 50 yards after Schmeichel darted out of the penalty area and sliced a clearance, but the goalkeeper scurried back to make the save and the save was comfortably in the end.
Dundee kept up the pressure until Maeda hit the post in stoppage time, but chants of “Martin O’Neill” erupted around Celtic Park as the final whistle blew.
