Dundee recorded a historic 2-0 victory against defending champions Celtic, after first half goals from Clark Robertson and a Cameron Carter-Vickers own-goal lifted Steven Pressley’s side further from the foot of the table.
It is the first time Dundee have defeated the Glasgow side at home since 1988, before Pressley had even began his playing days.
Pressure is starting to grow for his counterpart Brendan Rodgers, with the Celts lacking a convincing performance for most games this season so far, as the boos rang out from the away end when the Northern Irishman and his squad strutted back up the tunnel.
There was an immediate stoppage of play for around four minutes when tennis balls were thrown onto the park by Celtic supporters, accompanied with chants and banners against the club’s board, as fan discontent over the way Celtic are being ran grows per game.
Dundee created the best of chances in the opening quarter of an hour and would go ahead on the 18th minute from a set play. Cameron Congreve curled in a corner and centre-half Clark Robertson leaped highest to ned it home and give the hosts a shock lead.
Celtic nearly had an immediate equaliser just two minutes later. Kieran Tierney found himself through on goal, but his effort whistled passed the wrong side of the post.
Moments after the fourth official’s board went up to indicate how much added time was to be played, Congreve drove powerfully down the right hand flank. The Welshman turned Celtic’s Liam Scales inside out, before laying it off to Joe Westley. Westley’s effort deflected off of Cameron Carter-Vickers, and the hosts found themselves two goals to the good against the champions at half time.
Dundee were a lot more comfortable sitting In and protecting their advantage for the second period. The majority of the the action took place in the Dark Blue’s half but Celtic were reduced to desperate crosses and attempts from distance.
Referee Matthew MacDermid pointed to the spot to award the visitors a penalty kick on the 71st minute when it appeared that Reo Hatate’s volley was blocked by the hands of Paul Digby. VAR recommended an on field review, and the decision was overturned.
Hatate then came the closest to pulling one back for Celtic with twelve minutes to play. Tierney’s zipped low ball into the box landed to the Japanese midfielder with room to strike. His goal bound rocket was blocked by Luke Graham, who was getting off from the ground still from Tierney’s cross prior.
Celtic failed to break down a resolute Dundee defence, with their next best effort not coming until the first minute of added time. Michel Ange-Balikwisha showed great skill to create space, but his curling shot was tipped over by Jon McCracken to keep his clean sheet intact.
The result means that Celtic travel to league leaders Hearts next Sunday after hosting Sturm Graz in Europa League action three days before, knowing that no matter the result, they will leave Tynecastle still behind the Jambos who are now five points clear of the reigning champions.
As for Steven Pressley and his side, today’s result brings them up to 9th in the table as they face John McGlynn’s Falkirk at the Falkirk Stadium, as well as a newfound sense of belief as they look to survive this season comfortably.
DUNDEE: McCracken 7, Robertson 8, Astley 6, Wright 5 (Ingram 86’ 1), Digby 6, Samuels 5, Murray 5 (Hay 57’ 3), Westley 6 (Robertson 74’ 2), Congreve 9, Graham 7, Hamilton 5
CELTIC: Schmeichel 5, Scales 4, Nygren 5 (McCowan 64’ 6), Yang 3 (Forrest 46’4), Iheanacho 5, Carter-Vickers 5, Tounekti 5 (Balikwisha 64’ 4), Hatate 5 (Engels 82’ 2), McGregor 5, Ralston 2 (Kenny 46’ 3), Tierney 4
