Dundee boss Steven Pressley has acknowledged signs of fragility in Celtic after the Hoops’ recent 2-0 defeat to Dundee United, though he warned that could make his weekend opponents even more dangerous…
Martin O’Neill’s side return to Dundee on Sunday, heading back to the City of Discovery for a clash at Dens Park following a cataclysmic 2-0 defeat at Tannadice prior to the international break.
Pressley believes Celtic may respond like a “wounded animal” as they attempt to reignite their title challenge.
The Dens Park boss stressed his players will need to produce a flawless display to come out on top – despite having already secured a 2-0 win over Brendan Rodgers’ men earlier in the campaign.
“I know it will always take from us, a perfect performance to win these types of games,” he told Sky Sports. “Anything short of that, we’ll not win. You also always need a degree of luck against the Old Firm. But we’ve certainly shown we’re capable of that.”
“There is a belief around this group of players that regardless of the opposition, we can be a real match for anybody and that’s been a really refreshing part of managing this group. But it will take an enormous performance against a very much wounded animal after losing to Dundee United.
“They’ll be looking to bounce back and if they still have aspirations to win the league then they’ll know they have to beat ourselves. It makes it a really interesting game, but we’ve got our own pride and our own situation that we need to take care of.”
Questioned if he senses a vulnerability in the Celtic squad just now, Pressley responded: “Yeah, but that’s when they’re at their most dangerous.”
“Celtic have proved time and again how resilient they are as a club and a team so it will take a top performance from ourselves. If we don’t give that type of performance then we’ll not win the game.”
🗣️ “It will take an enormous performance against a very much wounded animal…”
🗣️ “We are ready if we have to go to the last game of the season.”Steven Pressley on facing Celtic on Sunday, and Dundee’s battle to secure safety. Watch the game live on Sky Sports 📺 pic.twitter.com/60ttHwlQWS
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) April 2, 2026
The City of Dundee has been a real jinx for Celtic this season with all three Celtic managers this season losing there. Brendan Rodgers lost at Dens Park in October, Wilfried Nancy lost at Tannadice in December and Martin O’Neill lost at the same venue in March.
It is inconceivable that Celtic can go through an entire campaign taking zero points from four trips to the City of Discovery. If that happens all that we’ll discover is that we are no longer in the title race and frankly won’t deserve to be in it anyway.
This is a must win match, a statement game which comes after both the Rangers and Hearts have played. Anything other than three points and we can forget all about retaining our title.
Conor Spence
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Don’t believe that the French clown could be described as a manager.hh