It really was a game of two halves for the Celtic fans as they watched Brendan Rodgers’ side break down a stubborn Dundee team tonight.
Goals from Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels sealed the three points as Celtic beat Dundee to remain at the top of the league just behind Aberdeen who took care of Rangers at Pittodrie.
In 45 frustrating first-half minutes, Celtic spurned chance after chance as Dundee somehow managed to hang on and go into the break level.
However, Brendan Rodgers made three quick second-half changes as the strength of the Celtic bench eventually proved too much for Dundee as Celtic ran out 2-0 winners in the end.
However, as Celtic fans went home happy, here are some things that they may not have noticed as the Hoops beat Dundee at Celtic Park.
Luis Palma’s Celtic frustrations vs Dundee continue
Luis Palma has not been having the best of seasons so far for Celtic and after his performance against Dundee, it’s not getting any better.
The Honduran had plenty of endeavour and was clearly keen to impress but it seemed on many occasions that he was trying too hard to prove he deserves a regular spot in the Celtic starting lineup.
Slack passing, loose touches and wayward shots left Palma open to criticism from a Parkhead crowd who are clearly starting to lose patience with international winger.
With only one shot on target and failing to provide enough ammunition for Kyogo Furuhashi, Palma looks like his time at the club could be slowly coming to an end.
Paulo Bernardo is growing in the McGregor role and Arne Engels’ unseen Celtic frustration vs Dundee
Paulo Bernardo was once again deployed in the Callum McGregor role as the Celtic captain recovers from his current injury.
The Portuguese midfielder looked calm, assured and more confident playing the deeper position and did well breaking up some of Dundee’s passages of play to help Celtic win back possession.
Bernardo had flashes of attacking intent and was unlucky not to score after his 20-yard curling effort flew just wide of Dundee’s right-hand post in the second half.
Arne Engels returned to the Celtic starting lineup and showed his quality at times throughout the match. His passion for the Celtic cause shone through in the second half as the Dundee keeper frustrated the Hoops attack.
Jamie McCracken was in fine form but when he made a point blank save only for Engels to nod back into the box for Kyogo to fire over, the Belgian hugged the goal stantion in passionate frustration as he worked his socks off to make break the deadlock.
It was a superb piece of passion from Engels who is clearly giving his all to the Celtic team whilst in the middle of some unwarranted criticism over the past seven days.
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