Martin O’Neill Hails Mentality Shift as Celtic Secure Late Victory at Dundee
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill praised his side’s renewed determination after Kelechi Iheanacho’s 82nd-minute goal secured a crucial 2-1 victory at Dens Park, ending their Dundee hoodoo.
The champions had lost three times in the City of Discovery this season, including a damaging 2-0 defeat at Tannadice two weeks prior. However, they started brightly on this occasion, with Yang Hyun-jun finishing off an eighth-minute attack.
Simon Murray equalised from the penalty spot following Colby Donovan’s handball, threatening another collapse. But Iheanacho’s close-range winner moved Celtic within three points of William Hill Premiership leaders Hearts.
“For the first time, a fortnight ago, I had to question whether we really, really wanted it,” the 74-year-old admitted. “Forget about the pitch, just in the second half I felt we didn’t show an appetite to get into the game. Then you have a fortnight to think about it so we’ve come in with renewed determination, to try to get in front and take the game away from Dundee. We did that, we’re still in it and still have a lot to ponder.”
O’Neill confirmed the attitude adjustment was deliberate. “Did we reset our attitude? Absolutely, I think we did, and that was to do with the way we approached the game right from the off. We carved out chances.”
The victory was particularly significant for Iheanacho, whose goal was his first in six months after a season disrupted by hamstring problems. “I had a chat with him,” O’Neill revealed. “He’s a very fine player. At 29 he should be at the peak of his career rather than scratching around. He has played for Manchester City. That will do him the world of good. He’s absolutely buzzing in the dressing room.”
A confident Iheanacho could solve Celtic’s striking crisis, with no starting centre-forward having scored in the previous 12 games. Tomas Cvancara started at Dens but missed several opportunities, leaving him “pretty down” according to his manager.
“I have been spoiled obviously with centre-forwards here way back years ago,” O’Neill reflected. “A centre-forward’s got to try to hold the ball for a start. Then, naturally, they’ve got to get on the end of things and score some goals. But when that’s not happening, then it does cause a problem.”
Dundee manager Steven Pressley praised his players’ bravery despite the defeat.