It was business as usual for Celtic after the two-week international break as goals from Henri Camara and John Hartson swept them to their fifth SPL win out of five and an already commanding looking eight-point lead over arch-rivals Rangers.
Celtic have yet to concede a goal in three home matches this season, although even their biggest fan knows that could all change on Tuesday when Barcelona come to Glasgow for a fascinating Champions League opener.
There were few useful clues as to the likely outcome of that one as Dundee caused none of the problems which can be expected from the Spanish giants.
Haven beaten Dundee in all three meetings last season Celtic were able to claim their scalp again without moving out of cruise control.
On what proved to be a trouble-free afternoon for the SPL champions John Sutton, the younger brother of injured Celtic striker Chris, was unable to ruffle their feathers. Another Dundee forward, Glen Atle Larsen, stayed seated on the subs bench so there was no dress rehearsal for the return to Celtic Park on Tuesday for Hoops legend Henrik Larsson.
The odds were always against Dundee and the Taysiders are already struggling in the bottom half of the table but they at least faced their fate bravely, no doubt boosted by an unbeaten away run including an amazing fightback at Hibs when they came from 4-1 down to snatch a draw.
Despite Celtic's flying start to the new season, Dundee went into the game with Scotland's top scorer and as early as the fourth minute Steve Lovell threatened to add to his five goals so far after linking up cleverly with Sutton and Garry Brady. Celtic defender Stanislav Varga had to stretch out his right boot to cut out a searching pass which was meant for Sutton.
Gradually Celtic began to pick up speed although the absence of injured duo Sutton and Didier Agathe was clearly being felt.
Bulgarian midfielder Stilian Petrov picked up the baton, first shooting low and wide from the edge of the box and then floating in a corner which Hartson headed towards the net, only to find Brady perfectly positioned to clear off the line.
From another corner kick Alan Thompson produced his usual high quality delivery but found no takers as the ball flashed along the six-yard line. With Petrov continuing to shoot on sight Juninho followed his example and went close with a low right-footer and improvised left-foot hooked shot.
For all the pretty patterns painted by his team, manager Martin O'Neill also knows the value of route one football and from a Thompson pass midway through the first half Camara sprinted away from Brent Sancho before guiding the ball past Derek Soutar as the Dundee goalkeeper ran out to narrow the angle.
Hartson had the ball in the net again nine minutes later but the offside flag saved Dundee who were briefly lifted by their escape. Within 60 seconds they won a corner and only a goal-line clearance by Hartson kept out a sizzling volley from defender Robert Mann.
Home pride was hurt and the visitors were punished for their cheek after 37 minutes when a left-foot cross from Thompson found Hartson who finished superbly to join Lovell on the five-goal mark just days after scoring for Wales against Northern Ireland.
Camara hit the outside of the post shortly before half time and although Dundee enjoyed an even share of possession at the start of the second half Celtic continued to make far better use of the ball.
Camara created space for himself with a sharp turn before testing Soutar with a fierce right-foot drive. Petrov then picked out Jackie McNamara and the Scotland international again brought the best out of the Dundee goalkeeper with an angled shot.
At the other end of the pitch McNamara Showed his versatility as his perfect challenge prevented Soutar from pulling the trigger on the edge of the penalty area.
Dundee were unlucky not to pull a goal back and set up an interesting final 17 minutes when winger Iain Anderson cut in from the right and rode two tackles before beating keeper David Marshall with a left-foot rocket which rattled back off the bar.
Camara added goal number three just five minutes from the end when he switched to the left side and cracked a low right-foot shot past the excellent Soutar.