Tayside and Central

Dundee manager Tony Docherty told BBC Scotland: "I was happy with the first-half performance.

"I came in at half-time bemoaning that our ball retention could have been better, but our defensive structure was very good and I stressed to the players - as we are an honest group - that the first 10 minutes against the Old Firm, it is really vital that you stay in shape and don't lose your discipline.

"And I just felt a couple times that they made those runs down the side and we succumbed to that. When Celtic get their tails up like that it's difficult. You can see the quality they are bringing on off the bench.

"That won't define our season, our reaction to it will define our season. When we lost to Rangers here and lost our 'run', our reaction was really positive to that. I'll be looking for the same from the players and I think they have the character to do that.

"It is important we bounce back from today, it's difficult for the players but they've shown us a real consistent level of performance this season."

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BBC Scotland's Andy Campbell

The amount of chances Celtic carved, particularly on the left, encouraged them to keep at it and their persistence paid off with the Paulo Bernardo opener.

However, a second-half injury to Cameron Carter-Vickers will be a frustration given Rangers' impending visit on Saturday.

Dundee's counter-attacking game did not create too many openings, though a looping Zak Rudden header forced Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart to retreat and catch in the opening half.

Defensively, the Dark Blues were often effective in getting in blocks to repel both shots and crosses and it's easy to see why Tony Docherty's side find themselves in a comfortable mid-table position.

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On-loan Liverpool left-back Owen Beck has recovered from a groin issue to start again for Dundee as Tony Docherty makes two changes from the side that beat Ross County last time out.

Cammy Kerr returns to defence as Ricki Lamie misses out, while Zak Rudden comes into attack as on-loan Wimbledon striker Zach Robinson drops to the bench.

There, he is joined by fit again centre-half Lee Ashcroft and forward Diego Pineda, but there's still no return for on-loan Burnley midfielder Marcel Lewis.

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Dundee: Carson, Kerr, Beck, Shaughnessy, McGhee, Bakayoko, Cameron, McCowan, Rudden, Boeteng, Donnelly.

Substitutes: Legzdins, Tiffoney, Pineda, Ashcroft, Mulligan, Robinson, Robertson, Howley, Sylla.

Celtic: Hart, A Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor, McGregor, O'Riley, Bernardo, Maeda, Palma, Furuhashi.

Substitutes: Bain, Yang, Turnbull, Oh, Kwon, Forrest, Ralston, Welsh, M Johnston.

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty believes his side can cause Celtic problems on Boxing Day, and want to channel frustrations positively after their game with Aberdeen on 23 December was postponed.

"When you get promoted, you look forward to playing these games," Docherty said. "It will be difficult, we understand that, but we're in good form.

"Regardless of opposition I've got huge faith and trust in my team that any time I set them up, it's to win football matches. Hopefully we can execute a gameplan that can cause problems for Celtic - that's what we'll be endeavouring to do.

"With the frustration of the Aberdeen game being called off, hopefully we can take some of that frustration out in the game."

Dens Park has been a tricky place for Scottish Premiership sides this season, with just two defeats for Dundee at their home ground.

Tony Docherty praised the fans for their part in that and asked for them to be as intimidating as possible when they welcome league leasders Celtic.

“Our fans have been fantastic,” Docherty said. “You saw them last weekend on an away trip and they have been brilliant at home.

“I know they will be there in their numbers and I’m hoping they are vocal.

“Certainly at this period it’s important everybody realises the importance they play.

“I want teams to come here and feel they are not just playing against the team on the pitch they are playing against the crowd in the stands as well.

“They have been there for the players and the players really, really appreciate it, they comment on that all the time, about how the fans do play their part as the 12th man.”

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Centre-half Lee Ashcroft, on-loan Burnley midfielder Marcel Lewis and forward Diego Pineda are pushing for returns with Tony Docherty's side.

Meanwhile, on-loan Liverpool left-back Owen Beck, who was man-of-the-match last time out in their win over Ross County, is expected to be fit after struggling with a groin issue.

However, defender Antonio Portales is out until after the winter break with a hamstring injury.

Odin Thiago Holm is in contention for Celtic following illness.

Fellow midfielder Tyomoki Iwata has missed several games after picking up a knock, while Liel Abada and Reo Hatate are in the latter stages of their rehab.

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