Dundee 0 Celtic 1: Five talking points from Celtic's last-gasp win at Dens Park

The champions should be well used to facing packed defences by now, and the back five deployed by Jim McIntyre was certainly that. Just like in the Aberdeen match at Celtic Park last week though, they struggled to create too many clear-cut opportunities.

They did manage to work the impressive Dundee goalkeeper Seny Dieng more regularly in the first half, with Scott Sinclair forcing him into two very smart stops, but the longer the game remained goalless the more frustrated the visitors became.

Far too often they would move the ball across the park only to then throw in early balls from deep positions, which were fielded well by the three centre-backs strung along the Dundee box. Neil Lennon tried to get more width by throwing on Hayes and pushing his wing-backs on, but his players were too reluctant to get to the byline more often than not.

That was until the 96th minute of course, when Forrest cut the ball back for Edouard to fire home at the death, showing that if they maintain their width, they can open up any defence.

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SCOTT BAIN LOOKS IN FINE FETTLE FOR SCOTLAND DUTY

The Celtic goalkeeper was hardly given the warmest of welcomes as he came back to his old patch, with a section of the home crowd booing him on the rare occasions he was involved in the play.

That being said, when Bain was called upon he showed that he was up to the task, doing really well to spread himself and block an effort from Scott Wright as the on-loan Aberdeen attacker burst through one-on-one just before the interval.

Bain’s kicking and handling too seemed in good order, and he will now look to carry on his rich vein of form as he tries to establish himself as number one for both club and country.

INTERNATIONAL BREAK COMES AT GOOD TIME FOR CELTIC DEFENCE

With Dedryck Boyata out injured and Filip Benkovic only making the bench after training just once during the week as he makes his own way back to fitness, there was a makeshift Celtic backline with Mikael Lustig partnering Kristoffer Ajer at the heart of the defence.

They were largely untroubled in the first half as Dundee focused primarily on keeping Celtic out at the other end, and were mostly being asked to contribute to the attack, but they were sliced open with alarming ease right on half-time and had Bain to thank for digging them out of a hole as he saved from Wright.

Ajer himself then limped off to be replaced by Benkovic, underlining Celtic’s need to patch up a few bodies.

SCOTLAND TRIP MIGHT BE GOOD FOR MCGREGOR AND TIERNEY

Callum McGregor came back into the side for the first time since the loss to Valencia in Spain, and he showed signs of rustiness with his decision-making at times at Dens Park.

James Forrest, Scott Bain and Callum McGregor

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Tierney too is still working his way back to full sharpness and wasn’t quite at his thrilling best up and down the left-hand side, so while the trip to Kazakhstan and San Marino may not be the most welcome prospect for a few in the Scotland squad so deep into the season, it may well come at a great time for two such important players for club and country as they look to get firing on all cylinders once again.

Another boost for Scotland boss Alex McLeish will be the consistently good form of James Forrest. Like his teammates, the winger wasn’t quite on peak form, but he came up trumps when it mattered with the piece of quality that finally broke Dundee’s resistance.

DUNDEE MAY HAVE FIGHTING SPIRIT TO STAY UP

They may not have been the easiest on the eye in this match as Jim McIntyre went for the practical approach, but the way his men defended and put their bodies on the line for the cause will give him encouragement for the crucial battles that lie ahead.

They will be devastated by the late blow that robbed them of what would have been an unexpected bonus point as they look to move clear of bottom side St Mirren and try to reel in Hamilton above them, but there were plenty of positives for the Dens Park side to take from the encounter.