A subdued Celtic display looked destined to be punished as the contest approached its closing moments, but the final touch of regular time altered the narrative entirely.
Junior Adamu’s first goal for the club prevented the away side from claiming a stunning upset victory, while Sebastian Tounekti’s strike in extra time highlighted a rejuvenated showing after the end of regulation play.
However, events might have unfolded differently if another key moment involving a refereeing call against Tomas Cvancara had gone another way.
For television analysts Charlie Mulgrew and former Dundee manager Tony Docherty, Celtic were denied a spot-kick.
Celtic should’ve had ‘clear penalty’ against Dundee
Dundee’s Luke Graham was judged to have shoved Cvancara during the opening half, but there was instant debate over whether the foul occurred within the penalty area.
The moment was subsequently assessed by VAR, which upheld the referee’s original call.
This left both pundits confused, as they criticised VAR for resolving the situation so rapidly.
Mulgrew firstly said: “For me, this is a penalty. I know the contact potentially starts outside the box, but the ruling is: if you continue into the box!
“And there is a push – definitely on the line, you could argue it was inside – if it’s on the line, it’s a penalty for me.
“I don’t know why that’s not been looked into by the referee.”
Docherty then added: “I think there’s an argument there that it should be a penalty kick.
“I remember a similar incident with [Claudio] Braga against Dundee United for Hearts. The initial context starts outside the box, but where he is, I’m sure it’s a penalty.
“It was very quick, the decision made on it. So I think Dundee have maybe got away with one there.”
Mulgrew finally added: “I don’t know how they (VAR) have come to that conclusion, because you can see that there’s clear contact inside the box.”
“Obviously starts outside, continues inside. Clear penalty for me.
VAR explanation for Celtic’s incident vs Dundee
VAR later released clarification regarding the decision, supporting the referee’s judgement as ‘correct’.
Officials explained that the foul was determined to have happened outside the penalty area because the initial shove began beyond the box and then carried on inside.
The explanation stated that pushing offences are penalised from the first moment of contact, whereas a penalty would only have been awarded if grappling or holding occurred inside the area.