Well, that was some game was it not? In the end Celtic emerged with a 4-2 win at Dens Park but proceedings began with a hold up, as the Green Brigade encouraged interim CEO Michael Nicholson to get up in the loft and look out his Slazenger racket as multitude of balls landed very much in his court. Meanwhile the size five mitres were expertly manipulated so well by Jota and Kyogo the Dundee team would have been better off asking for one of their own, and there were still signs off Celtic’s defensive vulnerabilities as the Hoops defence struggled with the crossed variety all afternoon.
And there was still time for the away end to encourage the fading star of Charlie Adam to consider his wistful rants, at least I think that’s what they were singing, as the ageing midfielder spent more time on his backside, lunging into mistimed ‘tackles’ and rollicking his teammates and the opposition than he did influencing the flow of the game. To think Lunchtime kick offs are often a tranquil affair.
Celtic when on the front foot throughout this lunchtime encounter, and is possession were simply a joy to watch. Even when faced up with the reactive physicality of a suffering opposition, they were able to match up and play through the intimidation that eventually saw Dundee see five players end up in referee’s notebook. I guess it gets somewhat embarrassing after all to be chasing shadows in front of your home crowd.
💬 “Im delighted, it was a good win today and the boys played brilliant.” 🧱
🎙️ Ralston On The Match ⬇️#cinchPrem | #DUNCEL | #COYBIG 🍀 pic.twitter.com/keRQoLCd8F
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) November 7, 2021
Celtic landed the first two blows within the first twenty minutes and both goals were supplied by the excellent Tony Ralston, as first of all eight minutes in the missing shots from distance from last weekend’s game at home to Livingston were soon remedied as Ralston, after tidy recycling of possession from Bitton and then McGregor, found a gap to strike for goal, the ball struck the post but landed nicely at the feet of Jota who had a fairly simple task of hitting the net.
The second 12 minutes later came after patient possession in midfield saw Ralston head off on an overlap before delivering a floated but accurate cross ball the 5ft 7-inch Kyogo guided expertly past Joe Hart’s buddy from Burnley, Adam Legzdins in the Dundee goal.
Dundee however reacted quickly and targeted Celtic’s Achilles heel of the dreaded cross ball as McMullan and McGowan found time and space afforded to them to link up well and a slightly deflected cross found Mullan who had little challenge when finding the net, indeed had he not connected, Sweeney was waiting, also unmarked behind him to pounce. He instead managed to get himself in a bout of handbags inside the net with Josip Juranovic that eventually saw the standard dual cautions administered rather upset the home support by booking the only instigator of the situation. Same as it ever was.
There were two further chances for the Hoops as Cameron-Vickers was unlucky with a flying header that was well saved and then in injury time Stephen Welsh sent a free header wide when one of the flush variety, rather than angled, would have restored Celtic’s two goal lead.
That gap however was restored early in the second half as after 47 minutes Abada found, Turnbull who in turn fed Ralston who delivered a fabulous third assist of the afternoon, after waiting for Charlie Adam to fall on his backside first, it was beautiful timing on both counts from Ralston, and his delivery found Jota who finished expertly with his left peg to put the Hoops 3-1 up – a fine goal!
And the game was put to bed as Jota and Juaranovic produced a wonderful one-two down Celtic’s left before the ball found Kyogo who produced a first-time left foot shot to end Dundee’s hopes of getting back into the game.
Dundee however were determined to highlight Celtic’s remaining defensive vulnerabilities as a McGowan delivery was headed into an empty net by Ashcroft as Joe Hart had decided to do what his central defenders wouldn’t and meet the delivery before the Dundee attack. Sadly he mis-timed his effort but in truth I don’t blame him for trying to take the initiative, after all someone had too.
As someone predicted pre-match this game was all about the quality exhibited by both Jota and Kyogo, but a special mention must go once again to Tony Ralston. Three assists from a full back? How often do you see that?
And as we approach yet another international break there is still a work very much in progress when it comes to defending set pieces for Ange Postecoglou to knuckle down to in training. Mind you if this is what gets served up week in week out, I can handle a Celtic defence with a fear of deliveries from wide. It’s far from a cross to bear.
Niall J
