Scottish Premiership REVIEW 3 Aug 2026: Nygren header sends Celtic past Dundee in title defence opener

Celtic began the defence of their Scottish Premiership title with a 1-0 win over Dundee at Celtic Park, Benjamin Nygren heading in from a Kieran Tierney cross early in the second half to settle a contest the champions never fully controlled.

Martin O'Neill's side, who unfurled the championship flag before kick-off, were made to work by a well-organised Dundee and should have won more comfortably: club-record £11m signing Kasper Høgh spurned three good chances, twice in the opening 13 minutes and again with five minutes left, while captain Callum McGregor struck a post. Goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo had to be alert late on, saving well from substitute Ashley Hay to preserve the win after Dundee pushed for an equaliser.

Dundee, under Steven Pressley, made four changes from the side that had beaten Clyde in their Premier Sports Cup group finale, with Owen Goodman making his debut in goal and new signing Owen Bevan also starting. The visitors arrived with confidence after a cup group campaign in which they scored 14 goals in four matches, and they frustrated Celtic for long periods before Nygren's goal proved decisive.

Celtic's attention now turns to Europe, with the Champions League play-off draw on the same day pairing them with Austrian champions LASK: the first leg is at Celtic Park on 18/19 August, with the return in Linz on 25/26 August.