Northern Ireland defender Aaron Donnelly feels his Dundee side made a big statement in their thrilling 3-3 draw at home to Celtic.
Arne Engels converted a stoppage-time penalty to deny Dundee a first home victory over Celtic for 37 years.
Donnelly looked set to displace Tommy Coyne as the last Dundee player to net a winner against Celtic at Dens Park until substitute Engels sealed a 3-3 draw after Mo Sylla had been penalised for handball.
It was the third time the William Hill Premiership leaders had dropped points inside a month but they moved 16 ahead of Rangers, who host Aberdeen on Wednesday evening.
Donnelly sealed a permanent return to Dundee following a successful loan spell last season. The Dark Blues signed the 21-year-old from Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee.
The defender, who made his senior international debut against Andorra back in June, said: “It was a great performance from us. We stuck to our game plan, were really resilient without the ball and we had a good shape. We really dug in towards the end.
“Celtic are top opposition with top players. We showed tonight how we can compete in this league and climb up it. We were really disappointed not to get three points and that shows the way this club is going.”
Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers felt his side lacked aggression at Dens Park.
“It was a disappointing result from our perspective,” admitted the Ulsterman.
“We had lots of control in the first 40 minutes, then we give away a needless goal from a counterattack.
“We concede and that gives them impetus heading into the second half. We go in front but we give away two really disappointing goals that we should deal with.
“I give credit to the players, they kept going. But for our standard, that second half has to be better.
“We were too passive. Too slow. With the ball, just not aggressive enough.
“Tonight was about doing the basics of the game well, and we did not do that well enough.”
Dundee rise to seventh above St Mirren on goal difference.
Buoyant boss Tony Docherty said: “Immensely proud, but the overriding feeling is one of disappointment. I thought we had done enough to win the match.
“We made a Champions League team wobble. We sensed it, we went for it and gave everything to win that match. I thought my players deserved that tonight.”