Fit, sharp, and hungry, Dundee felt the full force of it at Parkhead. 6-0 in the end - it could have been more - and a collection of goals that showcased Celtic’s attacking talent at their best.
They say change is as good as rest; both are better. The cancellation of the original fixture and subsequent 7-day break seems to have benefitted the team and allowed some to catch their breath. Champions League success, Jota’s return, and the revival of Adam Idah have also brought freshness to the last couple of games.
The loss of Kyogo has dictated a need for a different look up front. There’s plenty to work with, though, evident in our ability to leave Nicolas Kuhn on the bench.
A 20th-minute penalty from Arne Engels put Celtic one up before Adam Idah grabbed Celtic’s second right before half-time. Having seen his first effort saved, the Irishman got a second chance at it, finishing ruthlessly, high into the net. A striker's goal of the best kind, scrappy and opportunistic. 4 in 3 now for Idah, a goalscoring run in anyone’s book.
The second half was Celtic’s best in a while. Jota, off the left, started to get comfortable and before long produced one of his trademark deliveries. A flat, back post ball, dropped behind the full-back so perfectly -and casually - that Maeda couldn’t miss from two yards.
The 4th goal was something else. Jota had his eye in, and popped up at left-back. Why not. Having pulled the ball down, he was pressed by Dundee at the corner flag, with nowhere to go. A 180, in the blink of an eye, followed by a sharp pass into the feet of Taylor and Celtic were out. A sharp exchange between Taylor and Hatate – who again, combined smartly throughout – then back to Jota’s feet, a simple pass to McGregor, to Johnston, to Engels. Engels found Maeda with a sweeping through ball. A great pass, slightly helped on it’s way by the defender’s touch, left Mada with space to run into. He finished first time with a curling chip from the edge of the box. Over Carson and under the bar as if he were Francesco Totti. A goal of Individual and collective excellence,
Kuhn replaced Jota around the 60-minute mark. Not to be outdone, he came away with one of his typical finishes, having cut back onto his left foot. He does this often but this was the best example of it so far, aesthetically pleasing and perfectly executed, it curled into the top corner, leaving Carson with no chance.
Arne Engels
Engels added the sixth - his second - and his stock in this Celtic team, continues to rise. Maturity or indeed, experience are qualities that come with time - regardless of transfer fee - but we are now seeing a more polished player, after 30-plus games for Celtic.
The Belgian is receiving the ball far better and playing with his head up. The cute ball that sprung Hatate at Villa Park for Celtic’s second goal was of the highest class, as was his longer, perfectly weighted pass for Maeda against Motherwell. Add this to his engine and ability to cover the pitch, you can see why we parted with £11 million.