Celtic have started their Scottish Premiership title defence with a win after they defeated Dundee FC 1-0 at Celtic Park.

Benjamin Nygren was the matchwinner for Martin O'Neill's side with his second-half header, though Celtic were almost made to pay for their wastefulness in their opening game of the season.

Summer signings Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh started together, and the latter squandered two good chances in the opening 14 minutes, first dragging wide from Nygren's pass before diverting his team-mate's shot off target.

Charlie Riley failed to test Viljami Sinisalo from close range at the other end, while Arne Engels headed wide of the goal following a pinpoint cross from Kieran Tierney shortly before half-time.

Tierney almost broke the deadlock himself, forcing Owen Goodman into a save at his near post, but Celtic eventually took the lead in the 52nd minute as Nygren got in front of his marker to glance in from Tierney’s brilliant cross.

Celtic failed to add to their lead, which they almost lost late on, but Sinisalo did well to dive down to his right and parry Ashley Hay's header around the post.

The hosts still had chances to score, with captain Callum McGregor striking the woodwork with a curling effort, but they were able to get across the line with their one-goal advantage.

Celtic made to work for three points

Celtic were defending deep in their own half in stoppage time after they failed to add to their lead, and there was audible frustration from the home fans as chance after chance missed the target.

O'Neill's side underperformed their expected goals (xG) tally of 2.55, which came from 18 shots, though the Hoops boss will hope it was just a nervy start for his new signings more than anything else.

Hogh was responsible for 0.88 of Celtic's xG but failed to hit the target with any of his four shots (match-high), though he did make himself a presence in the final third after winning five of his eight aerial duels.

Tierney was a constant threat from left-back, creating a joint-match high four chances (level with Nygren) while also attempting the most crosses (eight), which proved to be Celtic's method to victory in the end.

After Rangers and Hearts both dropped points in their opening games, a win for Celtic will give them a small boost over their title rivals early on in the season.