Jonny Hayes broke his duck for Celtic on Saturday against his former club, Aberdeen, and the winger goes close to another.

Scorer James Forrest beats his man on the wing and drives a cross towards Hayes, who heads wide from eight yards.

Dundee's first foray forward ends in disappointment as Jon Aurtenetxe's curling free-kick to the back post is too high for Sofien Moussa.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Dens Park

Celtic might have had this match won already. They look so sharp and are tearing Dundee apart with the speed and accuracy of their passing and superb movement.

James Forrest delivered again and his finish was that of a man who is full of confidence.

He's having a superb season and achieving the final product consistently now, something for which he's been previously criticised.

It looks very ominous for Dundee right now. They have no answer.

Callum McGregor looks to steer the ball into the far corner from 12 yards from Mikael Lustig's cut-back, but the midfielder's effort comes off the post.

Celtic are on the front foot immediately and, following a corner from Olivier Ntcham, James Forrest fires wide from the edge of the penalty box.

Dundee manager Neil McCann on BBC Radio Scotland: "The first five games I was here was just about keeping us in the league, but I want the fans to be proud about watching their side.

"I know results have to come with it, but I am prepared to be brave about that, as I ask the players to be.

"Sometimes it is risky, but the level of performances have been good and we have got a couple of results lately. We will be looking for another one today.

"We won't be trying to sit back and contain Celtic. We will be trying to entertain the fans."

Image source, SNS

As an emotional Neil McCann greets the applause from the stands, Celtic get the game under way.

There's going to be a minute's applause in honour of Dundee manager Neil McCann's father, Eddie, who died hours before Saturday's draw with Motherwell.

The Dundee boss bravely took his place in the dugout at Fir Park despite his loss.

Dundee remain in 10th spot after a 1-1 draw at Motherwell.

A win over the Premiership leaders would take them above Hamilton Academical, who host Kilmarnock tomorrow.

Here comes the teams into the Dens Park sunshine.

Celtic extended their lead at the top of the Premiership to eight points after Saturday's 3-0 win over nearest challengers Aberdeen.

They will be aiming to stretch their advantage further before the Dons host Partick Thistle tomorrow with a third straight victory since their record 69-game unbeaten record was ended by Hearts.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has played down reports linking striker Moussa Dembele with Brighton.

Asked if there was anything in the story, he told BBC Radio Scotland: "Nothing at all.

"I am not sure where it's come from. Moussa's been linked with so many clubs since I've been here.

"There's been no contact between the clubs and Moussa is very much still a Celtic player."

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However, asked if Dembele would remain a Celtic player by the time the January transfer window closes, Rodgers said: "I can't say that.

"I live in the real world of football and you can say things that make you look silly.

"Someone might come in with a bid that is an astronomical amount of money for the club and the player and, if the player wants to go, that's modern football.

" We want to keep the best players, but as ever, we always have to have one eye on tomorrow."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said the other day that today's opponents are "one of the few teams that try to play football" in the Premiership and he has again praised Neil McCann's Dundee.

"I like Dundee's football idea and they will look to get results in the second part of the season," he said.

"I am sure you will see that today again."

Explaining the choice of Leigh Griffiths in front ahead of Moussa Dembele, he told BBC Radio Scotland it was down to shuffling his pack to keep them fresh.

"You've got Moussa, who has been out with a while with a hamstring, and we have a busy schedule, with another big game at the weekend," he told BBC Radio Scotland.

Image source, SNS

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Dens Park

Brendan Rodgers revealed his target to have a double-digit lead at the top of he table going into the new year.

After dismantling Aberdeen, few would bet against Celtic moving closer to that target.

Jonny Hayes retains his place after scoring in that game, with Leigh Griffiths starting up front.

Dundee have improved and may take inspiration from their win over Rangers.

They’ll need to be on top form on a stunning Boxing Day at Dens.

Dundee, who are looking to stretch their unbeaten run to three games, are unchanged after their draw with Motherwell.

Scott Allan drops off the bench as the on-loan Celtic midfielder can't play against his parent club.

Australian Jesse Curran is among the substitutes in his place.

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Despite Saturday's convincing 3-0 win over nearest challengers Aberdeen, Brendan Rodgers makes three changes to his side.

Amid speculation linking Moussa Dembele with Brighton, the 21-year-old drops to the bench, with Scotland international Leigh Griffiths handed a start up front.

Stuart Armstrong drops to the bench along with the Frenchman, while winger Scott Sinclair misses out completely.

Callum McGregor and James Forrest come into midfield in their place.

Kristoffer Ajer, the 19-year-old Norwegian, retains his place in central defence, with Jozo Simunovic again on the bench and Denmark international Erik Sviatchenko still not in the squad.

Image source, SNS

Coverage of today's game at Dens Park is about to start after the 12 o'clock news on BBC Radio Scotland.

Tune in to the pre-match build-up, followed by live commentary, on 810MW.

Dundee: Parish, Kerr, Hendry, Meekings, Aurtenetxe, Leitch-Smith, Kamara, O'Hara, McGowan, El Bakhtaoui, Moussa.

Substitutes: Ferrie, Holt, O'Dea, Curran, Waddell, Henvey, Lambert.

Celtic: Gordon, Lustig, Boyata, Ajer, Tierney, Brown, McGregor, Ntcham, Hayes, Forrest, Griffiths.

Substitutes: De Vries, Simunovic, Bitton, Armstrong, Edouard, Johnston, Dembele.