Dundee were beaten by Celtic in the Reserve Cup group section opener this afternoon at the Kilmac Stadium at Dens Park.
Calum Ferrie was between the sticks behind a young defence of Grant Rodger, Luke Strachan, Sam Fisher and Marton Hornyik. Max Anderson, Lyall Cameron, Josh Mulligan and Callum Moore made up the midfield behind an experienced front two of Craig Curran and Andrew Nelson.
The Celtic team included former Dundee players Leigh Griffiths and Calvin Miller.
It was Griffiths who was first have an effort but a combination of Ferrie and the post denied to Celtic frontman after two minutes.
Dundee first effort on goal came when Strachan crossed from the left and found Curran. The striker turned and saw his shot deflected just over the bar.
Just after the half hour mark Moore came close to opening the scoring when his cleverly taken free kick almost caught Liam Hughes in the Celtic goal out, but he managed to tip it round the post.
Ferrie denied Armstrong Oko-Flex with a diving effort and Griffiths from a free kick just before the break to ensure the match was goalless at half time.
The match came to life in the early period of the second half with 4 goals in the opening 13 minutes.
Seven minutes into the half the visitors took the lead after a counter attack broke to Aitchison in the box and he drilled home.
Within a minute Celtic had doubled their lead, this time from the spot after Oko-Flex was fouled by half time substitute Danny Strachan. Griffiths stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards.
Dundee wasted no time hitting back and it was good play from Nelson before laying the ball off for Curran who finished high into the net.
Just like Celtic, Dundee hit a second quickly after the first with Danny Strachan beating Miller on the right before delivering a perfect ball to the back post for Nelson to head home.
It was a pretty even contest from then until Celtic went back infront after 66 minutes. Oxo-Flex played it across from the left and Liam Burt was on hand to finish.
Dundee had chance through Cameron and Moore but it would be Celtic who would hit the net again this time in bizarre fashion. Oxo-Flex went over in the box and after referee waved play on the ball continued on and into the net to put Celtic 4-2 ahead.
Dundee – Ferrie, Rodger (D. Strachan), L. Strachan, Fisher, Hornyik, Anderson, Cameron (Dow), Mulligan, Nelson (Cunningham), Curran, Moore
Unused Subs – Sharp, Fleming, McGrath.
