Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 24

Feb 5, 2025 at 7.45pm UK

Celtic Park

Celtic vs Dundee

Match preview

Celtic's outstanding 2024-25 campaign has continued to gather momentum in recent weeks, with the Bhoys reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time since 2012-13 and now looking to extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

With a game in hand following the postponement of their clash with Dundee due to bad weather, the Bhoys, who have already won the Scottish League Cup this season, have the chance to move 13 points clear of second-placed Rangers with a win on Wednesday.

Brendan Rodgers' side suffered their third defeat of the season last week at the hands of Aston Villa, but the Bhoys have once again shown their resilience by bouncing back from defeat to win for the third time this season.

Celtic took an early 1-0 lead before Motherwell levelled, but the Bhoys quickly regained the advantage through Adam Idah and an emotional Jota sealed victory with a 94th-minute strike on his second debut for the club.

Returning to Celtic Park for the first time since May 2023, Jota will be welcomed home by the Bhoys faithful, who are sure to create an electric atmosphere for the fan-favourite Portuguese winger.

Dundee, however, will be looking to spoil the homecoming party, with the Dee looking to take all three points as they look to increase the gap between themselves and the relegation zone.

Dundee, who spent the first nine rounds of the season in the top six with two wins, three draws and four defeats, have slipped down the table in recent weeks.

A run of six defeats in 11 games followed, but Dundee seemed to have turned the corner with two wins and two draws in their next four games, although a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Hearts in their last outing will have dampened their spirits going into this game.

Tony Docherty's men now sit 10th in the Scottish Premiership table with 27 points from their 24 games, just one point above 11th-placed Ross County in the relegation play-offs, although the Dee have a game in hand on their rivals.

The Dee will have to make history if they are to secure all three points on Wednesday, as Dundee have not won at Celtic Park since Fabian Caballero scored twice to give the Dark Blues a 2-0 victory in May 2001.

Recent Performance

Celtic Scottish Premiership form:LWWWDW

Celtic form (all competitions):WDWWLW

Dundee Scottish Premiership form:WLWDDL

Dundee form (all competitions):LWDDWL

Team News

James Forrest is expected to be the only player unavailable through injury for the hosts, leaving Rodgers with a full-strength XI to choose from.

Idah has become Celtic's main striker following the departure of Kyogo Furuhashi to Rennes, and the Irishman is certain to start after netting three times in his last two games.

While the Celtic Park crowd will be eager to see Jota, the winger is likely to start on the bench, having failed to play a full 90 minutes for Al Ittihad against Al-Nassr since May 2024.

Elsewhere, Anthony Ralston could retain his place at right-back ahead of Alistair Johnston, while Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty and Greg Taylor are all likely to feature in the rest of the defence.

As for Dundee, Billy Koumetio (unspecified), Joe Shaughnessy (knee) and Scott Fraser (groin) are all sidelined with injuries, although all three are expected to return later this month.

Following the humiliating 6-0 defeat to Hearts, Docherty is likely to make several changes to his starting line-up for this game, with the likes of Finlay Robertson, Sebastian Palmer-Houlden and Ziyad Larkeche all in contention.

Possible starting lineup

Celtic possible starting lineup:

Schmeichel; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; McCowan, McGregor, Hatate; Kuhn, Idah, Maeda

Dundee possible starting lineup:

Carson; Astley, C Robertson, Donnelly; Ingram, Sylla, Cameron, Larkeche; Palmer-Houlden, F Robertson; Murray