Hartley hails Dark Blues’ display

Well-deserved draw with Celtic boosts bid to secure top-six finish

Dundee boss Paul Hartley has lavished praise on his players after their “excellent” performance against Celtic at Dens last night.

The Dark Blues went toe to toe with the table-topping Hoops with the game ending 0-0, the same scoreline as the last time the sides had met at Parkhead.

With another potentially-priceless point in the bag, Dundee’s top six destiny will now be decided when they travel to face Hamilton on Saturday.

Hartley said: “I thought it was an excellent team performance and I felt we coped with Celtic.

“We limited them to a few chances and we had opportunities of our own.

“I thought our organisation was different class and our work rate and team spirit was tremendous.

“Overall, it was a great point for us and it is all to play for on Saturday.

“The players’ appetite and attitude was tremendous – we were great as a team.

“We produced a terrific display also at Parkhead but I felt tonight we coped with Celtic. I don’t think Scott (keeper Bain) had much to deal with.

“Young Cammy Kerr limited Kieran Tierney, he did a really good job on him.

“So overall, I am really pleased with that.”

Strikers Kane Hemmings and Rory Loy both had to come off with Hartley adding: “Kane has a dead leg. He was a doubt before the game but he wanted to play. Rory has taken a knock but we will rest up now until Saturday.

“It is a massive game for us in terms of our aspirations to get into the top six.”

Dundee secured what could prove to be a priceless point in their fight to secure a top-six finish against table-topping Celtic at Dens.

Both sides hit the woodwork but neither could make the breakthrough.

But while the game may have ended 0-0, no one inside the famous old ground could have felt short-changed after witnessing a contest that ebbed and flowed brilliantly with chances galore.

The Dark Blues produced arguably their best defensive display of the season to deny the Hoops and now look forward to Saturday’s game against Hamilton, the last before the split.

Dundee boss Paul Hartley made just one change from the team that beat Ross County 5-2 on Saturday, with keeper Scott Bain returning from suspension at the expense of David Mitchell.

Skipper Gary Harkins was also available after serving a ban, but had to be content with a place on the bench.

Celtic were without Tom Rogic, who was concussed on Saturday during the 3-1 win over Hearts. He was replaced by Nir Bitton.

Former Dundee favourite Leigh Griffiths led the Hoops attack, and there was also a place in their starting XI for ex-Dundee United player Gary Mackay-Steven.

The Dark Blues exerted some early pressure, forcing two successive corners either side of the fifth-minute mark.

However, it was Celtic who carved out the first meaningful opening when on-loan Manchester City winger Patrick Roberts, who scored two on Saturday, manufactured space for himself only to blast his shot wildly over.

The Hoops then had a gilt-edged opportunity in the 12th minute when Stefan Johansen played in Griffiths straight through on goal, but Bain made a crucial block to deny the striker.

The home side had a good chance of their own when Nick Ross hit an angled drive from 14 yards which Celtic keeper Craig Gordon could only parry, but there was no one in a dark blue jersey able to capitalise and pounce on the loose ball.

Gordon was tested again in the 34th minute when Rory Loy hit a fierce halfvolley from the edge of the Celtic box, but it flew straight at the keeper who made a comfortable save.

There was a scare for the home side soon after when Mackay-Steven found some space on the edge of the home penalty area. However, he lashed his shot wide.

Then shortly before half- time, Dundee had an even bigger let-off when Kieran Tierney cut the ball back to Johansen whose shot was deflected on to Bain’s left-hand post. But the danger was cleared and the teams headed down the tunnel at the interval with the game finely balanced.

There was a surprise as the teams came out for the start of the second-half, with Dundee’s top goalscorer Kane Hemmings replaced by Craig Wighton.

The Hoops had an immediate chance to break the deadlock when Johansen sent a tempting cross towards the unmarked Griffiths, but he directed his far-post header straight at Bain.

Dundee then had their best chance of the game when Wighton found himself with just Gordon to beat, but the keeper blocked the teenager’s shot.

Back came the Hoops – and Bain’s heart was in his mouth as a 25-yard Griffiths free-kick kicked up wickedly in front of the keeper, but he managed to pull off a vital block.

The Dark Blues then came agonisingly close to opening the scoring in the 58th minute. Gordon could only parry a Paul McGowan drive, with Loy pouncing. But his shot on the stretch hit off the same post Johansen had struck earlier.

Dundee had an escape of their own shortly after when Nick Ross had to clear a Mikael Lustig header off his line.

As the minutes ticked by, it was Celtic who started to turn the screw with Dundee increasingly pegged back in their own half and looking to hit on the break.

However, as the game edged to a conclusion, the dogged Dark Blues seemed certain to hold on to secure the draw their play deserved, with the final whistle greeted with rapturous applause by the home fans. Attendance – 9,566. Dundee – Bain, Holt, Konrad, Stewart, Loy (Harkins, 61), Hemmings (Wighton, 45), Etxabeguren, Ross, McGowan, O’Dea, Kerr.

Subs not used – Mitchell, Meggatt, Arturo, Curran, Waddell.

Celtic – Gordon, Bitton, Brown, Griffiths, Mackay-Steven (Armstrong, 88), Boyata, Lustig (Kazim-Richards, 63), Johansen, Roberts, Sviatchenko (Mulgrew, 60), Tierney.

Subs not used – Fasan, Commons, McGregor, Forrest.

Referee – Kevin Clancy.

Picture: SNS. Paul Hartley saw his side defend well and pose a threat.