Celtic played a game of two halves against Dundee at Celtic Park, after a lacklustre first-half gave way to an impressive and imperious end to the game. The Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers decided to include new additions Nat Phillips and Yang Hyun-jun in the starting line-up and the Celtic support were buzzing to see how both men got on.

Celtic v Dundee – Dundee’s Owen Beck left and Celtic s Alistair Johnston battle for the ball during the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park, Saturday September 16, 2023. Photo Andrew Milligan

It wasn’t the greatest of first-half of football as the Bhoys struggled to really get any sort of rhythm going in their play. Yang Hyun-jun looked the brightest spark in the team and linked up well with Alistair Johnston down the right hand side of the park during that first 45 minutes. Yet nothing really materialised apart from a well-worked move between Greg Taylor and Daizen Maeda, which Trevor Carson stood up to well in the Dundee goal.

The second period saw the Hoops been a the deadlock through a David Turnbull penalty which he dispensed with no problem – striking it right down the middle and leaving the Dundee goalkeeper with no chance to save it. It was a crucial goal and gave Celtic the drive and impetus to really go and impose their authority on Tony Docherty’s men.

Celtic v Dundee – Matt O Riley left is congratulated by Kyogo Furuhashi after scoring the third goal of the game during the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park on Saturday September 16, 2023. Photo Andrew Milligan

Matt O’Riley then added to the scoreline with a well-worked goal down the right once again involving Alistair Johnston and Kyogo Furuhashi. The cut-back from the byline found the Danish midfielder and he slotted it away expertly inside the box and from there, Rodgers team grew in confidence.

The inevitable coup de grace came through the genius of both Callum McGregor and Kyogo Furuhashi – who was superb all game and even overcame a shoulder issue to punish United’s neighbours. McGregor received the ball from Hatate about 30 yards out and then floated a delightful pass overhead to the lightning Furuhashi who headed the ball into the net with ease.

Celtic v Dundee United – Callum McGregor applauds the fans after the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park, Saturday September 16, 2023. Photo Andrew Milligan

Have a look at the Hoops dismantling Dundee at Paradise below…

🍀 Three second-half goals ensured the champions remained unbeaten and top of the league with a 3-0 win over Dundee ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/piH6uLgNAu

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) September 16, 2023

Paul Gillespie