Dundee vs Celtic – LIVE updates

Dundee boss Tony Docherty was left beaming with pride at his side's display in spite of their loss against the champions.

The former Aberdeen number two watched the game from the stand while he served a one game touchline ban but says he could not have asked for any more from the men in dark blue, and reckons they gave Celtc as good a test as anyone has in the Premiership this season.

That's the most shots on target that Celtic have faced from any team, so I was really, really proud of the performance. They gave me absolutely everything and Celtic knew they were in a game today.

Celtic skipper Callum McGregor showered praise on his long-time teammate Forrest and credited the match winner for his professionalism in waiting for another opportunity.

He's massively important. You seen his contribution again today with the two finishes. He is a top pro who has done it year, after year, after year. No one can question that and just how big a part he still has to play here. He is a top player and we need him in form for sure.

James Forrest was delighted to make all the difference on his first start since November as the veteran winger once again reminded Celtic fans just what he is capable of.

It's massive for any player who comes into the team as we need the full squad right now. I feel that I have contributed since I have been brought on as a sub.

I was buzzing that I started today and to get the two goals to help the team, which is the most important thing.

It wasn't pretty at times but it doesn't matter at this stage of the season. It's all about the three points and the champions did exactly that. Our man Graeme Young has picked out three talking points from a big victory on Tayside. READ MORE

Job done for Celtic, but like Rangers before them, it wasn;t pretty.

Two James Forrest trikes either side of half-time keep their rivals at amrs' length in the title race with the gap back to three points.

But a late Adam Idah own goal made things little more nervy than it really should have been.

Still, it's three points at a venue where gers only took one and another fixture ticked off the list as we approach crunch time.

Performances matter less than outcomes right now, and as far as the champions are concerned, it was the right one on Tayside.

A big chance for Dundee is missed.

Mellon sees a deep free-kick all the way onto his head at the back post.

But instead of going back across goal, he appears to aim for the near post and misstimes his jump, nodding harmlessly wide.

That could be could that with just about a minute-and-a-half to play.

5 to play at Dens...

Another for Dundee.

Dodgson makes way for Michael Mellon.

Another change for the Dark Blues. Donnelly on for Mulligan.

From nothing, Dundee are back in it!

As expected, it comes from a Dodgson corner.

His delivery isn;t actually as good this time and Portales' initial effort is blocked.

The Mexican gets a second bite at the cherry though, and another swinger comes off Idah, wrong footing Hart and bounces into the net to halve the defecit.

Just as Celtic were looking relaxed, we could have a nervy last 15 minutes plus here on Tayside...

Almost game over there.

Reo hatate thinks he's added a third but his effort thuds off the far post with McCracken well beaten and bounces to safety.

That second goal has really put Celtic at ease ansd they appear to have found a rythym thatwas missing for most of this game.

There will be no hat-trick for james Forrest.

He's given a rest for the final 20 minutes or so and Luis Palma will get a run out.

Dundee respond with a double change.

Boateng and Tiffoney go off with Costelloe and Robertson their replacements.

Forrest at the double!

They've been poor since half-time, but they're looking good for the three points.

Portales tries to be too clever and play out from the back.

He gives the ball away and Forrest manages to wriggle past Lamie as the ball bounces kindly.

From close range, he was never likely to miss and puts the laces through to deive the ball under McCracken and give the champions a bit of breathing space.

Brendan Rodgers has seen enough in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Adam Idah and Tomoki Iwata are sent for from the bench.

Malachi Boateng is receving treatment for Dundee but looks like he'll come back on.

Kyogo's afternoon is over though, he heads off alongside Callum McGregor.

Dodgson's corners are causing problems and Jordan McGhee should have done better there.

He is afforded a free header at the back post. But with no-one near him, he heads down and straight at Hart and it's an easy save for the Celtic keeper.

But the visitors aren't learning their lessons from these set pieces and one will eventually count if they don't sort themselves out.

An early chance for Dundee and it's a wake up call for Celtic.

Dodgson's delivery from a corner is wicked and Hart can't come for it.

Mo Sylla rises highest at the back post and heads donwards, but it's just the wrong side of the post as far as the hosts are concerned.

They've started the second half the brighter of the two but you feel they need to take advantage when they are on top.

Dundee get the action restarted.

No changes for either side.

Can the hosts get back on level terms and blow the title race wide open again?

So far, so good for Celtic although there is room for improvement.

A sumptious strike from James Forrest the undoubted highlight for the champions on Tayside.

HIs goal is the difference, although you have to expect more going forward from Dundee after the break.

They've had a couple of efforts from distance but it's been a comfortable afternoon so far for Joe Hart.

but Brendan Rodgers will insist his team find a second goal sooner rather than later as things cold get nervy if it stays 1-0 as we approach the latter stages.

Watching eyes from Ibrox will hope that's the worst case scenario, but as long as the advantage is selnder, there's always a chance for Dundee to get back into it.

James Forrest celebrates his opener at Dens Park

McCowan thern Bakayoko both have efforts at goal but both are straight at the Celtkc keeper, who holds easily.

The Dark Blues are getting into some decent positions on the break but not making thew most of them.

Celtic guilty of trying to over play through the crowded centre of the pitch and attacks are breaking down.

Luke McCoawn is given too much space as he tries to respond for Dundee.

Johnston backs off, allowing McCowan to take a touch and turn. He aims for the top corner with a left-foot drive, but Hart is able to wave it over his crossbar.

Celtic find the opener and it's James Forrest!

He makes it two goals in as many games with a great finish.

Hatate pings it in to Kyogo, and his compatriot either takes a bad first touch or tees up Forrest expertly.

The winger guides the ball low into the far corner and McCracken can only stand and watch as the hosts fall behind after half-an-hour.

Good defending from the Irishman to prevent a good chance for Dundee.

Dodgson sends in a dangerous low ball that is just begging for Bakayoki to meet it from close range.

But Scales reads it well and makes sure he gets his bosy in the way to clear before Joe Hart has anything to worry about.

Another decent chance for Celtic is passed up.

Forrest is really tenacious in hitting the byline and standing up a lovely delivery.

Dodgson does enough to deny Kuhn but the ball bounces for hatate.

The Japanese improves with an unorthodox volley and connectrs well enough, but can't get it on target and it bounces wide with McCracken looking pretty relieved.

Celtic have been on the front foot but Dundee have managed to keep the back door shut so far.

Tony Docherty - watching from the stand today due to a touchline ban - will want to see more from his men in an attacking sense, but will be fairly content with how things are going.

Celtic have just seen their territorial superiority diminish a little after a strong start, but haven't been overly trooubled when Dundee have managed to get forward.

Kuhn goes close this time.

He cuts insdie Dodgson as Alistair Johnston provided the decoy on the overlap.

The german aims for the bottom corner, but McCracken is down wel to divert the winger's curling effort away from danger.

Liam Scales then heads across goal and Taylor tries to nod home at the back post, but McCracken dies really well to get a hand to it and claw it off the line.

It's been a bright start by Celtic and they can count themsevles unlucky not to be ahead within the opening 10 minutes.

James Forrest looks to make an early impact, just as he did off the bench against the Dons last weekend at Hampden.

But his aim is off this week as his effort flies well over McCracken's crossbar.

Underway at Dens Park!

The obus is on Cetic after Rangers' narrow win against St Mirren in the lunchtime kick-off.

They've made light work of Dundee so far this seaosn, but pressure can do funny things to teams during a title race.

The Dark Blues have already thrown a spanner in the works for Rangers in recent weeks. Can they do the same to the league leaders?

Brendan Rodgers has explained why James Forrest is in from the start today.

Honestly, it's down to not have Diazen and the consistency of performance," he told Sky Sports. "I know I'll get that from James.

He'll have played as many games today as he did last season and he;s been there and done it for us.

He'll look after the ball for us and that will be important today.