Watch full SPFL highlights as Celtic open title defence with a win over Dundee

Celtic started their title defence with a 1-0 win over Dundee with a performance that looked very season 25/26.

Ben Nygren was last season’s top scorer, against Dundee he opened his account for the new season in trademark fashion.

Kieran Tierney’s cross from the left was perfectly delivered, the Swede applied a confident nod of the head and Celtic took the lead.

Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran were the only debutants in the Celtic side.

Hogh played through the middle with Duran shifted onto the right wing.

The Dane could have scored three goals. He rushed his first chance but came close with the other two. Given similar service he should be able to maintain his Bodo levels of scoring.

Duran looked less comfortable on the right, always more effective drifting inside or in the penalty box.

Pre-match Martin O’Neill spoke of wanting to play Duran off of Hogh- once he gets the players in.

For Hogh, Yang Hyun-jun, Nygen, Auston Trusty and Alistair Johnston it was their first Celtic outing of the season.

For those players there is still a strong element of ‘getting minutes in the legs’.

RECRUITMENT IS THE BIG ISSUE FACING CELTIC

A look at the Celtic bench confirmed that O’Neill is short on options throughout the side.

Celtic’s next home match is against LINZ in a Champions League Play Off in two weeks time.

There are question marks over whether Johnston and Arne Engels will be around for that match.

After selling Daizen Maeda to Ipswich there is a pressing need for new faces in the Celtic squad.

In his post-match media conferences O’Neill wasn’t giving any timelines away.

He remains hopeful of quality arrivals but that has been his message since the first pre-season match at Shelbourne on July 7.

Next up for Celtic is a trip to Kilmarnock on Sunday. Neil McCann’s side started the SPFL season with a 4-3 defeat at St Johnstone.