O'Neill hails Celtic spirit as they stay in title hunt
With nine minutes left at Dens Park on Sunday, it appeared as if Celtic were going to slip up again in what has been a hugely frustrating season for the defending Scottish Premiership champions. However, substitute Kelechi Iheanacho slammed in the decisive goal from close range to secure victory and revitalise Celtic's title challenge. Martin O'Neill's side had lost on their previous visit to Dundee - at Tannadice before the international break - and indeed had lost all three matches in the city this season.
They knew they must take all three points to take advantage of leaders Hearts dropping points at Livingston earlier in the day and - as good teams do - they found a way. "Of course you're thinking 'maybe it's not our day', but the one thing about this side is that, apart from a fortnight ago, we have shown some really great spirit," O'Neill said after Celtic's 2-1 victory. "We may be lacking some things as a team, but you could say that about all the teams that are in it.
We have a really good spirit and that can carry us through. We can't rely on that alone but it was important today. " Celtic narrow gap to top two with nervy win at Dundee 'We're still top of the league' - McInnes' Hearts reminder to himself & doubters O'Neill spoke before the game about Celtic keeping themselves in the mix with both Hearts, who were held 2-2 at Livingston, and Rangers, who beat Dundee United 4-2 on Saturday.
"We're still in it and we're still fighting on," O'Neill said afterwards. "We could not afford to drop points today and those three points will galvanise us and keep us going. It was so, so important for us to win today.
" January arrival Tomas Cvancara spurned multiple chances after Yang Hyun-jun's opener and Dundee took advantage as Simon Murray equalised with a second-half penalty. However, Iheanacho stood up when it mattered after Dundee failed to deal with Marcelo Saracchi's cross from the left. There was the spirit O'Neill pointed to.