Bartley’s comfort from Dundee showing but he’ll still park the bus

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The Celtic Star

·9 de febrero de 2026

Bartley’s comfort from Dundee showing but he’ll still park the bus

Marvin Bartley will take comfort from Dundee performance, but don’t expect him to have a go at Celtic Park on Wednesday night…

07.02.2026 Celtic v Dundee, Scottish Cup 5th round. Junior Adamu goal 1-1. Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO

New Livingston boss Marvin Bartley was in attendance at Celtic Park on Saturday evening to run the rule over the Hoops, with his relegation threatened side visiting the East End of Glasgow on league duty this midweek.

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The newly appointed Lions gaffer will in no doubt have taken some comfort from the performance of a decent Dundee side, who very much like Livingston are still struggling at the wrong end of the table.

Steven Pressley’s side showed no fear and were unfortunate not to earn a famous victory, due to the way they approached the game and matched the champions for most of the game, but don’t expect the Livingston boss to replicate that attitude on Wednesday night for a host of different reasons.

Junior Adamu celebrates with James Forres after scoring to tie the game 1-1 in the 97th minute, forcing extra-time. Celtic v Dundee, Scottish Cup, Fifth Round, Celtic Park, 7 February 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

One reason being that it’s a league fixture, and the main objective for Bartley and his rock bottom side will be to frustrate the hosts with a draw being the main objective for his relegation threatened side.

That will require a backs to the walls performance, and that’s exactly how Livingston will approach the game, as is their prerogative. It will be up to Celtic to break them down in what’s sure to be a tricky encounter until we break them down and score a few goals.

7th February 2026 Celtic Park, Scottish Cup , Celtic v Dundee. Celtic manager Martin O Neill looks on. Photo David Young

A damaging defeat will have devastating consequences on the Lions, so the last thing they will set out to do is be as bold and adventurous as Steven Pressley’s side, and the game plan will ultimately be to frustrate Martin O’Neill’s men and get the crowd on the players backs, you can bet your life on that.

It’s up to us to break down that resilience, and earn ourselves a positive result as this fixture is just as important to us as it is for the visitors. One team going all at it, whilst the other sets out to frustrate by parking the bus, it will be a very interesting clash that much is for sure.

7th February 2026 Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scottish Cup Football, Celtic versus Dundee Large empty areas in the home section of the ground. Photo David Young IMAGO

With no boycott, Celtic Park will be back to something approaching normality. It’s time for everyone to get behind the team regardless of differences in opinion over the weekend events. It’s the first match in a season defining batch of fixtures and one we simply have to win.

Let’s make some noise for the Bhoys.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order