Celtic continued their dominant march toward the Scottish Premiership title as they hosted Dundee FC at Celtic Park on February 5, 2025. The match, rescheduled due to storm damages, carried significant weight for both teams: Celtic was eager to solidify their lead at the top of the table, and Dundee was desperate to earn points to avoid relegation.
Managed by Brendan Rodgers, Celtic entered the match with the ambition of widening their lead over their closest rivals, Rangers. A win would extend their margin to 13 points, setting the pace for what has already been shaping up as a memorable season. Not only have they been stellar at home, but they’ve also recently progressed to the Champions League knockouts for the first time since the 2012-2013 season, where they are set to face Bayern Munich.
Dundee came to Celtic Park sitting just above the relegation zone, making their quest for points all the more urgent. Currently tenth on the table, they were just one point clear of the promotion/relegation play-off spot, which lent the match additional intensity.
Arriving with high hopes, Celtic looked to maintain their remarkable home record against Dundee, having not lost to them since May 2001. The Bhoys have historically dominated these encounters, winning 20 of the last 22 games played at home against the Dark Blues.
Prior to the match, the buzz around the current Celtic squad was palpable. Despite just one injury concern—veteran James Forrest—Celtic was fielding what seemed to be their strongest lineup. Kasper Schmeichel was set to guard the net, with Alistair Johnston and Greg Taylor providing defensive support. The midfield was likely to feature stalwarts like Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate, with Arne Engels, Paulo Bernardo, and Luke McCowan offering additional flexibility and depth.
Up front, Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda were expected to lead the assault on Dundee’s goal, with Nicolas Kühn poised to play on the right flank. Jota, who made headlines with his return to the team after rejoining from Rennes, awaited his opportunity from the bench to make a decisive impact.
Brendan Rodgers expressed confidence before the match, stating, "It means we can increase our lead at the top." His faith echoed throughout the squad, as they prepared to capitalize on Dundee’s vulnerabilities—a team known to leak goals through its defensive lapses.
Meanwhile, Dundee's own preparations were shadowed by uncertainty as they sought to recover from their recent 6-0 drubbing by Hearts. Crucially, they were determined to replicate the fervor of their last encounter with Celtic, where they sensationally drew 3-3 just weeks prior.
That thrilling match saw Dundee score three times, the first side to do so against Celtic since October 1988. Such historical results must have added motivation to Dundee as they stepped onto the pitch.
With the kickoff approaching, fans at Celtic Park could feel the energy crackling around the stadium, full of hope and anticipation. The home side had the backdrop of 60,832 seats, each yearning for yet another example of Celtic's unrivaled prowess.
The initial stages of the match saw both teams testing the waters, but it wasn't long before Celtic began to assert their authority. The overarching narrative during the game was of Celtic pressing forward, with swift attacks orchestrated by McGregor and Hatate providing the necessary build-up play to create opportunities.
Goals soon came flooding as Celtic showcased their attacking prowess. Each goal served as statements underscoring their dominance over the struggling Dundee side.
At full-time, the final score underscored the expectations: Celtic had triumphed with another convincing performance, sending shockwaves through the league as they continued to widen the gap above their rivals.
For Brendan Rodgers's men, the reality of competing on multiple fronts, including hopes for treble glory, intertwines seamlessly with their rich history as they seek to cement their legacy this season.