Despite a comfortable lead at the top of the Premiership standings, Celtic have been struggling to regain the rhythm following Neil Lennon’s appointment. They had a trip to Dens Park this afternoon to lock horns with Dundee and stretch the lead to 10 points over second-placed Rangers. The game was close to a futile scoreless stalemate, but a last-gasp winner from Odsonne Edouard broke Dundee’s resilience and ensured three massive points in the title race.
Below are the Celtic players rated in their dramatic win against the Dee.
Scott Bain: 7.5
Made a big save in the closing seconds of the first half when he denied Scott Wright one-on-one. Was not tested much otherwise but remained alert between the sticks.
Jeremy Toljan: 6
Started the game brightly with overlapping runs and link up play with James Forrest down the right flank. But the Borussia Dortmund loanee faded off after the break and was eventually replaced by Timo Weah late in the game.
Mikael Lustig: 7
Started as a centre-back, had a few anxious moments but kept his focus and did well to deal with the occasional attacking threats from the hosts.
Kristoffer Ajer: 7
The youngster had a calmness in his game while operating from the heart of Celtic’s backline. Tried to build the play up from the deep with his passing but should have done a bit better with his positioning. Was replaced by Filip Benkovic in the second half.
Kieran Tierney: 8
The youngster was lively down the left flank as his relentless runs, crosses and efforts from a distance troubled the Dundee defence. Came close at times but failed to direct his shots on target.
Scott Brown: 7
The skipper was comfortable with the ball as he faced little contest from the Dee midfield. Took his part in the attacking build-ups and also saw an effort on target denied by Seni Dieng in Dundee goal.
Callum McGregor: 7.5
The Scotsman was lively in a box-to-box role and kept on troubling the hosts’ defensive set-up with down the middle runs, through balls and attempts from a distance.
James Forrest: 8.5
Was a menace down the right with his cut insides, one-twos and goal-bound efforts. Was rewarded for the hard work in dying seconds when his cut back opened up the opponents’ and set it up for Edouard to finish from close range.
Michael Johnston: 6.5
The youngster had a few creative movements while operating as a ‘number 10’. Was running out of ideas later on and got replaced by Jonny Hayes around the hour mark.
Scott Sinclair: 7.5
The Englishman kept the Dundee backline on their toes with his swift skills, dribbles, cut insides and curling efforts. Missed a few opportunities and saw some of his attempts denied by Dieng.
Odsonne Edouard: 7.5
Was lacking the sharpness high up the pitch until the final moment of the game when he found the net from close range to seal all three points for the Bhoys.
Substitutes
Jonny Hayes: 6.5
Came in place of Johnston. Whipped in some promising crosses from the wide areas.
Filip Benkovic: 6
Came in place of Ajer and maintained his composure in the closing minutes of the game.
Timo Weah: 6
Was lively high up the pitch and managed to increase the pressure on the Dundee defence in the dying minutes.
