Nygren's Header Rescues Celtic as Record Signing Hogh Misfires

Benjamin Nygren's 52nd-minute header, powered home from Kieran Tierney's cross, proved decisive as Celtic began their campaign with three points. Rivals Rangers had drawn with Dundee United on Friday; Hearts fell to Aberdeen on Saturday—giving Celtic the early advantage.

The performance, however, exposed vulnerabilities. Hogh, arriving for a club-record £11m, squandered two gilt-edged openings within the opening 13 minutes, then spurned a third from close range on 85 minutes, shooting wide. Captain Callum McGregor's effort struck the post moments later as Celtic's wastefulness mounted.

According to Sky Sports' report, Viljami Sinisalo made a crucial intervention late on, getting down brilliantly to deny Dundee substitute Ashley Hay a leveller. Dundee carved out a respectable performance, mustering 11 shots, with Charlie Reilly clipping the side-netting early. Fellow new attacker Camilo Duran showed more promise cutting in from the right.

Hogh acknowledged his profligacy post-match, citing adjustment to grass pitches as a factor. Celtic boss Martin O'Neill will demand sharper execution ahead of a Champions League qualifier against LASK in two-and-a-half weeks. The win masks a squad still hungry for summer reinforcements.