Forrest on fire as he hits a double to defeat Dundee | OneFootball

Scottish PremiershipSunday, April 28, 2024Dens Park, Dundee

DUNDEE… 1(Portales 72)

CELTIC… 2(Forrest 30 & 67)

James Forrest was the hero of the hour at Dens Park as his double gave Celtic a 2-1 win over Dundee to maintain the Hoops’ three-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership in a tense encounter in the city of Discovery.

Celtic started the match with high intensity, and it was James Forrest, back in the starting XI for the first time since November, who initiated the action, bringing down the ball on the edge of the area and cutting inside just two minutes into the game. However, his attempt soared over the Dundee crossbar.

In the fourth minute, Nicolas Kuhn tested the Dundee goalkeeper, Jon McCracken, with a sharp left-foot shot from the 18-yard line. The keeper, initially caught off-guard, managed to secure the ball at the second attempt.

Two minutes late, McCracken was called into action again, this time to push away Reo Hatate’s dangerous cross. Kuhn followed up with a curling effort aimed at the far post, but McCracken was up to the task once more.

The relentless pressure from Celtic continued, and by the eighth minute, they nearly broke through from a corner kick.

Liam Scales headed the ball across the goalmouth, and Greg Taylor tried to nudge it home at the back post, but Dundee’s vigilant goalkeeper thwarted the attempt.

As the match progressed, James Forrest showcased his exquisite skill in the 23rd minute, floating a precise ball to the back post. Kuhn, challenged but couldn’t make a clean connection, leaving Reo Hatate to knock the ball just past the post.

Dundee finally ventured forward in the 25th minute with a ball lofted to the back post. Bakayoko managed to get his head to it, but his effort lacked power, allowing Joe Hart to collect the ball with ease.

The breakthrough came in the 30th minute and Reo Hatate played a pivotal role, delivering a pass to Kyogo at the edge of the box.

The striker’s deft touch set up James Forrest, who unleashed a spectacular first-time volley that soared into the net, marking his 106th goal in his 491st game for Celtic and his fifth goal of the season.

Following the goal, Forrest continued to menace the Dundee defence and just three minutes later, he cut inside and fired a potent shot, which was blocked by a Dundee defender.

Towards the end of the half, Dundee’s Luke McCowan tried his luck with a long-range shot. Joe Hart, however, remained composed and dealt with the attempt confidently, maintaining Celtic's lead as the first half drew to a close.

The second half at Dens Park kicked off with Dundee showing renewed vigour, and they created a chance in the 51st minute. A corner delivered to the back post found Mohamed Sylla, but his header missed the target.

Just five minutes later, the home side sent another dangerous ball into the box. This time, Liam Scales was crucial for Celtic, making a timely clearance at the edge of the six-yard box to deny Dundee an equaliser. Another corner followed in the 57th minute, with Jordan McGhee connecting with a header, but Joe Hart comfortably caught the ball, keeping Celtic in front.

Celtic found their first opportunity of the half from a corner just after the hour mark. Matt O'Riley's delivery was on point, finding Scales, but his header lacked direction, failing to trouble the Dundee goal.

However, Brendan Rodgers’ side doubled their lead in the 67th minute when James Forrest scored his second of the afternoon. After receiving a pass from Reo Hatate, Forrest manoeuvred past two defenders and fired the ball into the net with his left foot.

Celtic nearly added a third in the 72nd minute when Hatate, after switching the ball on to his right foot, struck a powerful shot from just inside the area, only for the ball to ricochet off the post.

However, Dundee was not ready to concede defeat and in the 74th minute, they pulled a goal back in a somewhat chaotic fashion.

Adam Idah, attempting to clear a shot from Portales, accidentally turned the ball into his own net, bringing Dundee back into the game.

As the match approached its conclusion, the referee added five minutes of stoppage time. In the 91st minute, Luis Palma took a chance from 25 yards out, but his effort drifted wide of the Celtic goal.

Two minutes later, Dundee had another opportunity to equalise when Mellon got his head to a free-kick, but his effort went wide.

Despite the final flurry from the home team it was James Forrest who grabbed all the headlines as Celtic chalked off another fixture in the run-in. Next up it will be Hearts who make the visit to Paradise on Saturday.