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Nygren ends Dundee resistance
Celtic began their William Hill Premiership title defence with a 1-0 home win over Dundee at Celtic Park, with Benjamin Nygren scoring the decisive goal in the 52nd minute.
“Nygren, struck with a close-range header in the 52nd minute”
The 42 described the start as flat, with Martin O’Neill’s side struggling to get into their stride before Nygren struck with a close-range header to keep the three points in the east end of Glasgow.
SportyTV said Celtic were wasteful early and that Summer signings Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh started together, while Dundee’s Charlie Riley failed to test Viljami Sinisalo from close range.
The match hinged on Kieran Tierney’s delivery, with The 42 noting that Tierney curled in a cross from the left and Nygren headed past Goodman from inside the box.
BBC Scotland’s Tom English later credited Tierney’s cross as the key moment, saying, "He looked like old Kieran Tierney. He was bombing forward, getting in the box, had a couple shots on goal, doing all his defensive stuff, he was excellent," as Celtic edged past a dogged Dundee.
Tierney praised, chances wasted
SportyTV reported that Celtic almost paid for their wastefulness, with Kasper Hogh squandering two good chances in the opening 14 minutes, first dragging wide from Nygren’s pass before diverting his team-mate’s shot off target.
The 42 added that Hogh fired wide in the ninth minute after being set up by Nygren, and that Engels missed the best chance of the match to that point when he headed a cross from Kieran Tierney past the post.
SportyTV said Celtic failed to add to their lead and nearly lost it late, as Sinisalo parried Ashley Hay’s header around the post.
In the BBC’s match analysis, Martin O’Neill emphasized the role of Tierney and captain Callum McGregor, saying, "Those players are the football club," and calling them "the backbone of Celtic" after the title defence began.
BBC Scotland also highlighted Tierney’s output from last season, noting he registered 12 assists and scored six goals from defence, while still creating four chances and sending in eight crosses against Dundee.
Debuts and early-season outlook
The 42 said Celtic’s new arrivals made their debuts, including Camilo Duran—signed from Qarabag of Azerbaijan reportedly for £5.5 million (€6.4 million)—and Kasper Hogh, the Denmark forward who cost a club record £11 million (€12.85 million) plus add-ons from Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt.
“Camilo Duran – the Colombian striker signed from Qarabag of Azerbaijan reportedly for £5.5 million”
SportyTV likewise said Duran and Hogh started together, and it framed the win as a nervy start that still delivered three points after Rangers and Hearts both dropped points in their opening games.
Looking ahead, Motorcycle Sports said the Celtic win set up a Champions League playoff against Austrian champions LASK, with the first leg scheduled for 18-19 August and the return a week later.
Motorcycle Sports also noted that the draw avoids a repeat of last season’s drama against Kairat Almaty, which eliminated Celtic on penalties in the same phase.
In the BBC’s wider context, O’Neill said, "Of course [it's important to bring in cover for Tierney], that's something we're looking at," after the opener underscored Tierney’s importance as Celtic’s title defence begins.