Bhoys Turn to Burn(s) Dundee

Bhoys Turn to Burn(s) Dundee
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


Arne Engels' late penalty equalizer snatched a share of the spoils when these sides met last week


Celtic Park, Glasgow
Saturday, 25 January 2025
15.00 GMT​

The Bhoys turn their attention back to the Premiership this weekend, with the visit of Dundee to Parkhead on Saturday, with the Hoops looking to secure an 8th straight 'home' League win.

Celtic come into this game on the back of a memorable Champions League night, resulting in a dramatic and tense 1-0 win over Swiss side Young Boys, which ensured progression past the Group Stage for the Hoops in that competition for the first time in 12 years.

With qualification (at the very least) sealed, attention returns to the bread and butter of the Premiership this weekend, and virtually pick up where they left off, against Dundee, with whom they played out a dramatic 3-3 thriller at Dens Park, just last week - the last time in League action.

A late equalizer from the penalty spot was reuwired to * a dramatic 3-3 draw from the jaws of defeat, and maintaining an undefeated run against the Dark Blues that extends back to 2001.

And now these two teams line up once again, with the Dees no doubt riding high on confidence, while the Celtic support will be hopeful that this match, sandwiched between the high of Wednesday night and next week's high profile 'Battle of Britain' against Aston Villa, does not leave the Bhoys too drained, and under the circumstances the manager might be tempted to rotate one or two of his key players for this game, confident in the exceptional home form that Celtic continue to be in.


Luke McCowan scored the early opener against his old club in the 3-3 thriller, last week

As for the visitors, they were in action on Monday, when they defeated their city rivals Dundee United, 1-0 in the Scottish Cup, courtesy of a Simon Murray goal in the first minute and were able to hold on to that lead thereafter.

It was the Dark Blues' first derby win over United in 7 years, and when coupled with taking points off of both Glasgow sides in the past few weeks, it won't be a surprise that they will be high in confidence coming into this game.

While Tony Docherty's side are one of the more attack minded in the Premiership, having scored the joint 3rd most goals overall, and the second most in terms of first half goals, behind only Celtic.​

By the Numbers​

• Celtic have remained undefeated by the Dark Blues, home or away, since May 2001.

• The Bhoys are undefeated at Paradise against all opposition in all competitions since December 2023, with 17 wins in 19 matches at 'home' in 2024/25.

• Kasper Schmeichel has kept 17 clean sheets in 23 Premiership games so far this season - which is the best in the club’s history at this stage of a league campaign.

• There is a high chance of early goals, with these two teams being the the top two in the Premisership in terms of first half goals scored (Celtic 28, Dundee 21).

Heroes: Jota appears close to a Celtic return as Kyogo looks to have played his last for the Hoops

Team News

Aside from James Forrest (foot), there is a doubt concerning Arne Engels, also following Wednesday night's Champions League win, which could rule him out. Elsewhere, it appears that the Young Boys match was also tp be the last for Kyogo Furuhashi in the Hoops, as the Japanese striker appears to have secured a switch to Rennes, with former Celtic hero, Jota, seemingly coming in the opposite direction. Whether either of these are completed in time for Saturday remains to be seen though.

The manager may be tempted to rotate one or two of his other key players ahead of the trip down south though, but Daizen Maeda is almost certain to play, considering the Japanese International will miss the Aston Villa visit through suspension.

As for the visitors, Docherty is expected to be once again without Scott Fraser (groin), Joe Shaughnessy (knee) and Ziyad Larkeche.

Referee: Colin Steven

Since his debut in 2019, Steven has taken charge of 52 Premiership matches in total - including 7 this season. Celtic have won both of their previous games when he has officiated; most recently September's 2-0 win v Hearts.

Celtic's Overall Record
M:2 W:2 D:0 L:0

VAR: Alan Muir​

~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P: 260 W: 156 D: 61 L: 43

Last 5 Meetings
D W W W W

~~~~ 2024/25 Form ~~~~ ​

Overall
W W D W W ~ W D D W L

SPFL
D W W W L ~ D D W L W​