OLI GETS CELTIC OUT OF A FINE MESS

OLIVIER NTCHAM’S second-half strike was enough to give an under-strength Celtic side a 1-0 Premiership win over Dundee at Parkhead.

With a view to the Champions League clash with Bayern Munich in midweek, Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers reshuffled his squad with goalkeeper Dorus de Vries and right-back Cristian Gamboa making their first appearances of the season.

The champions were held at bay in a goalless first 45 minutes but 21-year-old French midfielder Ntcham’s long-range drive in the 61st minute (left) extended Celtic’s unbeaten domestic run to 59 games and kept them top of the table over Aberdeen on goal difference. It will certainly be a stronger Celtic side who take on Bayern.

Captain Scott Brown, Stuart Armstrong and Jozo Simunovic are just short of full fitness following injury, while Mikael Lustig, Tom Rogic and Craig Gordon were rested after returning from international duty.

Amid the seven changes from the side which drew 2-2 with Hibernian in their last outing, Eboue Kouassi returned from a knee injury sustained against Kilmarnock at the start of the season to partner Ntcham in midfield.

Despite the disruption to the line-up, Celtic had almost all the efforts on goal in the first half, starting in the fourth minute when Dundee keeper Scott Bain tipped a Scott Sinclair drive past the post.

Callum Mcgregor, Patrick Roberts, Leigh Griffiths, Ntcham and stand-in captain Kieran Tierney all had attempts on goal of various quality to no avail.

Celtic upped the tempo as the second-half unfolded and Bain was eventually beaten by Ntcham, who thundered in a shot from 25 yards which swerved and dipped before beating the keeper.

De Vries made a fine save from Paul Mcgowan before brilliantly parriying a Roarie Deacon shot over after the Dundee attacker had held off Dedryck Boyata.