With title hopes on the line, Celtic aims for revenge after October loss to Dundee
Category: Sports
Celtic FC will take on Dundee FC in a high-stakes match today, Sunday, April 5, 2026, at Dens Park, where the reigning champions seek to keep their title hopes alive. The match is set to kick off at 4:30 PM BST, with Celtic needing a victory to stay competitive in the Scottish Premiership title race.
Today’s encounter marks the fourth meeting between the two sides this season, and Celtic is eager for revenge after suffering a surprising 2-0 defeat at Dens Park back in October. Since that match, Celtic has managed to secure victories against Dundee in both league and cup competitions, but today’s fixture carries added significance as they currently sit third in the league, trailing leaders Rangers and Hearts by five points.
Live television coverage of the match will be available on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event, starting at 4 PM BST. Fans can also stream the action through the Sky Go app or purchase a day or month pass via NOW TV. For those in Scotland, highlights will be featured on Sportscene later in the evening.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill is aware of the pressure facing his side following Rangers' recent win against Dundee United, which has heightened the stakes for today’s match. "There’s no room for us to drop points in the City of Discovery today," O’Neill said, emphasizing the importance of the match for their title aspirations.
O’Neill has selected a starting lineup that includes Viljami Sinisalo in goal, supported by defenders Colby Donovan, Auston Trusty, Liam Scales, and Kieran Tierney. Midfield will see the experienced Callum McGregor and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, with Benjamin Nygren, Yang, Daizen Maeda, and Tomas Cvancara leading the attack. Celtic's roster is still feeling the impact of injuries, with key players like Kasper Schmeichel, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jota, and Julian Araujo sidelined.
On the other hand, Dundee FC, under head coach Steven Pressley, welcomes back Yan Dhanda to the squad after his absence due to ineligibility in their last match. Dhanda's return is expected to bolster Dundee's attacking options. Top scorer Simon Murray, who has netted seven goals this season, is also pushing for a starting position after appearing as a substitute in their last outing.
Dundee finds themselves in eighth place in the league, having accumulated 32 points from 31 matches. Their recent form has been inconsistent, with a record of one win, two draws, and two losses in their last five matches, including a narrow 1-0 defeat to league leaders Hearts. The team hopes to leverage its strong home record, having gone unbeaten in four consecutive matches at Dens Park.
Pressley has a largely healthy squad to choose from, aside from captain Clark Robertson, who is a major doubt due to a thigh injury setback. The coach will look to defenders Lyall Cameron and Ricki Lamie to contain Celtic's potent attack.
As the match approaches, O’Neill acknowledges the challenges ahead, stating, "Dundee have been very competitive and they played very well against us at our place in the cup. I expect a really difficult game, and that will be the case. It will be hard for us." The Celtic manager is also aware of the historical struggles faced by his predecessors in Dundee, noting, "I’ve just been reminded that all three Celtic managers this season have lost in Dundee, so we’ll try and rectify that!"
With the title race heating up, Celtic's players are feeling the pressure but also the belief that they can turn things around. Benjamin Nygren expressed confidence in the squad's resilience, stating, "Tough moments give us the chance to show who we really are, and the atmosphere within the squad is strong." A win today could significantly boost Celtic's chances of retaining their title.
The head-to-head record between these two clubs has historically favored Celtic, but Dundee's recent victory has added a layer of complexity to the matchup. As the teams take the pitch today, whether Celtic can overcome their past struggles in Dundee and secure a much-needed victory.
In addition to the match itself, fans can tune in to BBC Radio Scotland's "Sportsound" program for live commentary and updates. As the clock ticks down to kick-off, excitement builds among supporters, with expectations high for a thrilling encounter.
As Celtic aims to maintain its title hopes, the match against Dundee is not just another fixture; it’s a potential turning point in their season. With so much on the line, both teams will be eager to prove their mettle in front of what is expected to be a near-capacity crowd at Dens Park.
Kick-off is just around the corner, and the outcome of this match could have lasting implications for the Scottish Premiership title race. With both teams ready to battle it out on the pitch, fans can expect an intense and competitive atmosphere as Celtic looks to claim three points and keep their championship dreams alive.