Celtic began the new Scottish Premiership campaign by collecting all three points, defeating Dundee 1-0 at Parkhead thanks to Benjamin Nygren’s second-half header. The champions officially launched another title defence after captain Callum McGregor unfurled the league flag before kick-off, celebrating a remarkable record of 14 championships in the last 15 seasons.

Although the result was positive, Martin O’Neill’s side found little rhythm during an underwhelming opening 45 minutes. Dundee stayed organised throughout and regularly disrupted Celtic’s attacking flow, making life uncomfortable for the home side before the breakthrough eventually arrived after the interval.

New Faces Introduced on Opening Day

Supporters continue to hope for further additions to the squad, but two of Celtic’s latest arrivals were immediately handed their debuts.

Colombian striker Camilo Durán, who joined from Qarabag in a deal reportedly worth £5.5 million, started alongside Danish forward Kasper Høgh, signed from Bodø/Glimt for a club-record package of £11 million plus potential add-ons.

Meanwhile, both Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels featured despite attracting transfer interest during the summer, while Dundee also introduced a debutant between the posts as Owen Goodman made his first competitive appearance.

Dundee Stand Firm Before the Break

Celtic threatened first after only nine minutes. Nygren supplied Høgh inside the area, but the Danish striker failed to keep his effort on target. Soon afterwards, Høgh again connected with a Nygren delivery but guided his attempt narrowly wide.

Dundee responded with a promising opportunity of their own. Following a scramble inside the Celtic penalty area, Charlie Reilly struck from around 12 yards but could only find the side netting.

Steven Pressley’s disciplined visitors repeatedly tested Celtic with aerial deliveries, using both crosses and long throw-ins to create danger. Midway through the first half, defender Owen Bevan climbed highest inside the box, although Viljami Sinisalo gathered the header comfortably.

The clearest opportunity before halftime fell to Celtic. Kieran Tierney picked out the completely unmarked Engels, whose header drifted beyond the far post. Moments later, Tierney almost opened the scoring himself, forcing Goodman into an impressive save from close range.

Nygren Provides the Breakthrough

Celtic’s start to the second period was again lacking intensity, but one quality delivery changed the contest.

Tierney curled an inviting cross into the area in the 52nd minute, allowing Nygren to rise inside the box and guide a close-range header beyond Goodman. The Swedish midfielder, who scored 21 goals last season, wasted little time in continuing his scoring form, and the goal immediately lifted the atmosphere around Parkhead.

Champions Push for a Second Goal

Following the opener, Celtic controlled possession with greater authority and attacked with far more confidence. The crowd responded as the champions increased the pressure, while Dundee became less threatening despite Joe Bevan’s pace continuing to stretch the home defence on occasions.

Yang Hyun-jun nearly doubled the advantage in the 67th minute when his long-range strike forced Goodman into another excellent diving stop.

Even with Celtic dictating the game, the second goal refused to arrive, keeping the contest alive into the closing stages. Dundee almost snatched an equaliser eight minutes from time when substitute Ashley Hay glanced a header towards goal, only for Sinisalo to produce a superb save.

At the opposite end, Høgh missed another excellent chance by sliding his effort just wide from six yards. McGregor then came within inches of sealing victory when his powerful strike hit the post, before James Forrest sent the rebound beyond the target.

Despite those missed opportunities, Nygren’s header proved decisive as Celtic secured a narrow but valuable opening-day victory.

Match Statistics

Possession

• Celtic: 64%
• Dundee: 36%

Goal Attempts

Celtic

• On target: 4
• Off target: 14

Dundee

• On target: 3
• Off target: 8

Corners

• Celtic: 9
• Dundee: 4

Fouls

• Celtic: 8
• Dundee: 7

Starting Lineups

Celtic

Viljami Sinisalo; Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, Kieran Tierney; Callum McGregor, Arne Engels; Camilo Durán, Benjamin Nygren, Yang Hyun-jun; Kasper Høgh.

Dundee

Owen Goodman; Darryl Wright, Ryan Astley, Owen Bevan, Israel Odutayo; Joe Bevan, Ethan Hamilton, Rory Finnigan, Charlie Reilly, Josh Westley; Simon Murray.

Substitutes

Celtic

Ross Doohan, Luke McCowan, Sondre Tounekti, Callum Osmand, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Reo Hatate, Daniel Murray, James Forrest, Cillian Donovan.

Dundee

Kieran O’Hara, Barry Halliday, Finlay Robertson, Ashley Hay, Adam Forrest, Ziyad Besir, C. Oosenbrugh, E. Crombie, R. Bland.