Image source, SNSImage caption, Marcelo Saracchi (left) set up Kelechi Iheanacho's winner at Dens Park
Scottish Football Podcast: Reaction as title takes another twist
Listen on SoundsWith 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."
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"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. It is more than just vibes as well; it is backed up by statistics.
No team in the Premiership has taken more points from losing positions than Celtic (13) this season, while only Rangers (16) have scored more goals in the final 10 minutes of games (13).
This has been a season of turmoil for a club so accustomed to winning.
Brendan Rodgers walked out in October amid a breakdown in relations with major shareholder Dermot Desmond.
The first call went out to O'Neill to help steady the ship and steady it he did, handing the reins to new manager Wilfried Nancy in early December.
The Frenchman was sacked after just 33 days and eight matches in charge. A tumultuous tenure that threatened to derail Celtic's season.
Back came O'Neill though and despite some bumps in the road, he has kept them in with a shot of a a 14th title in the past 15 seasons.
The veteran manager has won 13 of his 17 league matches across both spells, losing just two.
One man who knows exactly what it takes to win with Celtic is former captain Scott Brown and he - perhaps unsurprisingly - is backing his former side to reel in both Rangers and Hearts.
"Celtic have the mentality," Brown said on Sportsound.
"If they can keep everyone fit and keep up the work rate up, I don't see why they can't do it."
Unlike their title rivals, Celtic have a squad packed with serial winners in the likes of Callum McGregor, Kieran Tierney and Daizen Maeda.
Will that winning mentality, the spirit O'Neill referenced, be the decisive factor in this compelling title race?
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