For the 14th time in 15 years, Celtic hoisted the league flag to rapturous applause in Glasgow’s East End.It was the failure of the hierarchy to sufficiently raise the standard of player since that cherished prize was claimed in May which made the peace which followed a distinctly uneasy one.Some 79 days after seeing his side retain their crown in the most dramatic fashion imaginable against Hearts, Martin O’Neill will have been pleased that the defence started with a slender victory which was just about merited on the balance of play.But the bigger picture for all and sundry was impossible to escape. Some 14 players who were around the club last season have since left — including the talismanic Daizen Maeda, without whom the campaign would assuredly have had a different ending.While the two players who have come in — Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh — should be excellent additions, the depth of the squad at this juncture is alarming.Where’s the goalkeeper to push or displace Viljami Sinisalo? What’s the plan to provide much-needed cover for Kieran Tierney at left back? And where on earth are the raft of midfielders and wingers that O’Neill evidently needs if this campaign isn’t to turn into another almighty struggle? Benjamin Nygren rises to head home the only goal of the game against Dundee at Celtic Park Hyun-jun Yang tries a shot on goal during a match in which Celtic laboured to create chances Skipper Callum McGregor holds the Premiership trophy ahead of kick-off at Celtic ParkWith Austrian champions LASK on the horizon in the Champions League play-off, the board have just about enough time to turn this situation around, but their procrastination is seeing them play an extremely dangerous game.For the most part, Celtic were lethargic and predictable. Lacking in guile until they made the breakthrough, they laboured to create many clear-cut opportunities. This is a team that’s crying out for an infusion of forward-thinking players.After a forgettable opening half, they improved to a degree and got there through Benjamin Nygren’s flashing header just after the turnaround. The Swede managed 21 goals last term and clearly cannot be relied on to the same extent.Notwithstanding the fact that these occasions are often sticky affairs that don’t yield many goals, the need for new recruits to arrive in short order was absolutely glaring. There’s an awful lot of work to be done if the flag-raising ceremony is to take place again this time next year.Dundee didn’t leave with anything tangible to show for their efforts, but the fact they competed to the last will have pleased their manager, Steven Pressley.Seeking to record a first win at this ground since 2001, the frustration for the Dark Blues followers was that they didn’t really do enough in the final third to capitalise on Celtic’s obvious vulnerability.Paradoxically, the lack of new signings to this point did give O’Neill one less thing to think about.Faced with such limited options on the flanks, Duran dropped out to the right while record signing Hogh played through the middle. For now, last season’s 4-3-3 remains.With Liam Scales suspended, Auston Trusty began beside Cameron Carter-Vickers. This was the latter’s first appearance since featuring against Sturm Graz on October 23 when Brendan Rodgers was the manager.Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels started despite ongoing interest from Everton and West Ham, respectively.Since impressively finishing eighth last term, Dundee had seen pivotal figures including Billy Koumetio, Luke Graham, Tony Yogane and Cam Congreve go out the door.Fresh from signing a new contract, Pressley started four of the replacements — Owen Goodman, Idris Odutayo, Owen Bevan and Ryan Finnigan. They all acquitted themselves well.The Dark Blues enjoyed the advantage of having four League Cup group stage games under their belt. Their sharpness was evident as they gave little up in the opening exchanges.Perhaps unsurprisingly, Celtic took a while to warm to the task. Hyun-jun Yang saw an early effort blocked by Joe Westley with Hogh then sending Nygren’s square ball the wrong side of the post.At times, Hogh looked a little too anxious to make a telling impact. Again, played in by Nygren after fine play from Tierney, Goodman in the visiting goal was left untroubled by his shot.The Dane did better when Nygren fed him for a third time after Yang’s interception. Bevan’s timely tackle sent the ball for a corner.Yang looked the most likely home player to find the breakthrough. An ambitious dribble to take him away from three men ended with Ryan Astley stopping to block.An untimely slip by Callum McGregor gave Joe Bevan sight of goal. Tierney was on hand to get his body in the way of the shot.With Dundee enjoying a spell of pressure in and around Celtic’s box, Owen Bevan’s dipping header was watched all the way by Sinisalo.Although O’Neill’s players saw plenty of the ball, they didn’t seem to be on the same page. That said, Tierney’s excellent cross for Engels ought to have brought the opener. The Belgian’s header drifted beyond the far post.Credit to referee Matthew MacDermid for allowing Celtic a potential advantage when Hogh was felled on the half-way line. It allowed Engels to feed the overlapping Tierney. The full-back’s meaty strike was smartly punched away by Goodman.O’Neill would have demanded more at the break. Much more. And, in fairness, Celtic lifted the tempo and began asking more questions.Arriving on 52 minutes, the opener stemmed from McGregor taking the ball from Sinisalo and recognising Engels was in a position to do some damage.Yang emerged to keep the move flowing then turned back to feed Tierney. His cross had pace and curl. Nygren clinically nodded home from six yards. The relief in the arena was palpable.It was better from the champions from that point on. More passes found their intended targets, more one-on-ones were won, space was better exploited. That said, it required an outstanding recovery run from Trusty to prevent Joe Bevan from going clear on goal on the counter.With Dundee left with little option but to gamble, gaps appeared. Both Yang and Tierney smashed low shots on target, but they were never beating Goodman. McGregor also got under a strike after being played in by Engels’ short corner.It said much about O’Neill’s lack of options that it took him until the 78th minute to make a change — 35-year-old James Forrest for Yang — and even that was injury-enforced.It just wasn’t Hogh’s night. He sent another chance just wide following Colby Donovan’s low cross. McGregor then hit the upright before Forrest curled the rebound wide.Seb Tounekti’s rising shot ensured a nervy finish. Celtic fans might see a few more of those in the coming weeks.