Celtic vs Dundee. Scottish Premiership.
Celtic ParkAttendance41,451.
Thursday 3 March 2016 09:07, UK
Celtic's lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership has been cut to four points, after the champions were held to a disappointing goalless draw by Dundee at Celtic Park.
That is despite Dundee manager Paul Hartley resting a number of key players, with one eye on Saturday's Scottish Cup tie against Rangers. Kane Hemmings, who had scored 16 goals in his last 17 games, started the game on the bench as Hartley made four changes.
Celtic put six past Dundee in their last visit to Parkhead in September, but struggled to break down a stubborn Dark Blues defence on this occasion, with the frustrated home fans jeering their team at the final whistle.
The result also allowed Aberdeen to close the gap, and Derek McInnes' side took full advantage by defeating bottom club Dundee United 1-0 at Tannadice, as Celtic drew for a second successive game.
The Hoops made a strong start to the match though, with Manchester City loanee Patrick Roberts and Leigh Griffiths both coming close in the opening exchanges.
Charlie Mulgrew, making his 200th appearance for Celtic, forced Dundee goalkeeper Scott Bain into an excellent save from a curling free-kick, before Nicky Low sent a set piece of his own over the bar as Dundee grew into the game.
Bain was in action again soon after, brilliantly saving low to his left to stop a Tom Rogic effort as Celtic increased the pressure.
However, Bain had defender Paul McGinn to thank just a minute later, after the goalkeeper raced from his box to make a clearance, instead allowing Leigh Griffiths in on goal. But, right-back McGinn was there to clear the danger.
Just before the break, Dundee had their best opening of the half. Craig Wighton went on a mazy run, before firing a shot wide of the returning Craig Gordon's far post.
Frustration grew around Celtic Park at the start of the second-half, as Dundee grew more and more into the contest.
Wighton was first denied by Gordon, before Rory Loy sent a header wide as Dundee sent on top scorer Hemmings.
The visitors also closed-out the second-half strongly, with former Celtic midfielder Paul McGowan firing a vicious strike over the crossbar in the closing stages.
Celtic, too, had their chances late on, with Bain called into action to superbly tip a bouncing Mulgrew effort from just inside the box over the bar.
