Celtic strolled 13 points clear at the top of the table as they saw off a dismal Dundee side – who were sent deeper into relegation trouble.
Arne Engels opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Adam Idah got in on the goal action just before the break. But the scoring was far from done as Daizen Maeda netted a quick-fire double alongside wonderstrikes from Engels and substitute Nicolas Kuhn to pile the misery on the Dark Blues – who now sit just one point above the relegation play-off spot after their dismal display in Glasgow’s east end.
After relentless early pressure, Celtic would be gifted the chance to open the scoring from the penalty spot. Mohamed Sylla was involved in a tussle with Auston Trusty – and the centre-back went down under pressure. The VAR team would delay the game for a lengthy check before sending referee Colin Steven to the monitor. The man in the middle would also take a good look at the flashpoint on the touchline – before pointing to the spot. Engels calmly stepped up to put the ball beyond Carson.
It’s Idah’s big chance as he has been left as the main man up front for the Hoops after the club failed in the search for Kyogo’s successor. And he wouldn’t pass it up as he found the net – after Greg Taylor slipped him through on the left flank. Carson denied his first low drive, and a sizzling effort from Jota. But the Ireland international wouldn’t be denied as the rebound fell to him again and he lashed it home.
it would be three shortly after the break as an inch-perfect Jota ball found Maeda at he back post from the left flank. It was a bullet header that put the game out of Dundee’s reach.
And things went from bad to worse for the Tayside men as Maeda netted his second of the evening after a cutting ball forward by Engles straight into the path of the Japan international. The wide man took the shot on first time as he chipped the ball over Carson with a stunning strike.
Not to be outdone, Engels wanted to get his own Goal of the Month contender. The Belgian international curled the ball in off the crossbar as his effort from range deflected off of Sylla and left Carson well beaten.
Nicolas Kuhn made way for Jota and Maeda on the wings from the start in Glasgow – but would come off the bench to get in on the scoring action. He thumped a brilliant effort into the top corner from range after setting himself on the right-hand side of the box.
VAR on the agenda again
It started the scoring at Celtic Park, but was it the right call? There was a lengthy delay as Alan Muir and the VAR team in Clydesdale House forensically dissected the flashpoint. Sylla did appear to be involved in a tug of war with Trusty – but the Celtic man didn’t appear to protest the incident having initially had a free-kick awarded against him.
But after a significant break in play Muir made the call to send Colin Steven to the pitchside monitor. After a second long delay, it was a penalty. It’s one that will get everyone talking – but it does appear that the correct call was reached despite a long wait for those inside Celtic Park.
Dee-saster on the horizon
It hasn’t been an ideal few days for Tony Docherty. The Dundee boss watched his side be thumped by Hearts on Saturday, before key man Lyall Cameron penned a pre-contract agreement with Rangers. The 22-year-old missed out on the clash through injury meaning he was unable to help his current side plunge deeper into a relegation scrap. Despite a battle performance, the Dark Blues now sit just a point off the relegation play-off spot. It’s just one win in five now and 12goals conceded in two games – they could be in trouble.
Who needs another striker?
Kvistgaarden this, Strelec that. The Kyogo successor hunt is at an end, and who needs a new megabucks recruit? Well, not Celtic domestically that’s for sure. Brendan Rodgers saw his side stroll to victory and 13 points clear with a ruthless display on their own turf. Questions had been asked over if Adam Idah could be the main man to lead the line for the Hoops – and he eased those worries with a lively display and another double for the runaway Premiership leaders – with Daizen Maeda making his case to lead the line with a deadly double.