Deila’s Message Finally Getting Across, as Scepovic & Guidetti look to turn 4 in to 10.​

Celtic yesterday brushed to one side the midweek defensive calamity that was their final Europa League group match, with a comprehensive demolition job of a St Mirren side who at present look destined for the drop.

The Bhoys again started slowly in defence – which will remain a concern for manager Ronny Deila – but at times their attacking play was mesmerising.

While the Paisley outfit spurned two opportunities either side of returning Celtic captain Scott Brown’s fine opening strike just four minutes in, the visitors drew level soon after.

Capitalising on slack marking at the far post, Kelly was on hand to bring St Mirren back on even terms, as the match ebbed and flowed for the first 15 minutes of the encounter.

This was to prove the visitors most profitable passage of play, however – as well as provide their only shot on target throughout the 90 minutes – as Ronny Deila’s men rapidly went through the gears.

Celtic soon went 2-1 up after a clinical finish from James Forrest; this after excellent work from John Guidetti, whose crafty flick in to Forrest’s path was finished with some aplomb.

After a period of absence owing to injury, the winger’s delight at his first goal of the season was both obvious and understandable. Nonetheless, there were occasions in the first half where Forrest was wasteful in possession. This is surely something that will only be aided with regular first team football.

Brown soon after made it 3-1, after more fine work from Forrest. Drawing the attention of two St Mirren defenders, he had an option outside but chose to cut the ball back to Brown, whose calm side-footed finish knocked the stuffing out of the away team.

Another Captain's performance from the impeccable Brown.​

At this stage, there were those at Celtic Park who were expecting the score to be more reminiscent of that at a cricket ground. Deila’s charges were moving the ball around magnificently at times, against opposition now largely rooted to their own penalty box.

When Celtic did lose possession, they moved swiftly to regain it – echoing the type of football Deila promised when he first arrived at the club this Summer.

While the Bhoys will undoubtedly come up against sterner opposition both at home and abroad, there are signs that the manager’s message is finally getting across. Defence remains a worry – and the absence of Lustig and Denayer has been all too obvious.

Ambrose and Matthews have proved competent replacements, but no more. Profligacy at the back, in Lustig & Denayer’s absence, is surely not a coincidence.

Nevertheless, from 3-1 up, Celtic threatened constantly. Only a rare failure in front of goal from John Guidetti, combined with some smart stops from visiting goalkeeper Ridgers, kept the scoreline at this mark until mid way through the second half.

By this point, Guidetti had been substituted after a hugely frustrating afternoon for the young Swede. Deila has remarked that Guidetti can sometimes be overly-critical of his own performance, and this certainly seemed the case yesterday. However, even on a “bad” day, he created one goal, got himself in dangerous positions throughout, and remained a constant menace. On another day, he could have easily had a hat trick.

A rare off day for John Guidetti.​

His replacement, Stefan Scepovic, also toiled in front of goal, missing three gilt-edged opportunities. There are those among the faithful, and on pundit boards, who remain unsure about the Serb as a long-term fixture at Celtic Park. Too wasteful, they say – and with understandable reason.

My personal thoughts are that every time he has featured, he has got in to better positions, and goal scoring opportunities, than many of his misfiring predecessors. As such, while the jury is without question still out, there is a certain something about Scepovic that gives me hope that he will come good.

In addition, the added pressure place upon him to perform during fleeting substitute appearances in the SPL, while Guidetti lights up the scoring charts, should not be underestimated.

Anthony Stokes completed the scoring on the 67 minute mark, and from that point onwards it was a question of how many, as the match as a competitive spectacle was well and truly over.

It was just reward for Stokes, whose performances in recent times have been excellent – despite not being played in his preferred position for much of this time.

Stokes - scored Celtic's only contribution of the 2nd half.​

With 8 consecutive SPL wins, Deila has progressed well on a managerial level in recent weeks. A competent – we can say no more at this stage – Europa League performance, coupled with domestic cup progress, while topping the league table bodes well for the Norwegian.

Next Sunday, Celtic head to Tannadice, in the hope they can keep the run going. Dundee United will be smarting from last weekend’s loss at home to Aberdeen, so this will provide an excellent opportunity to see just how far the Bhoys have come.

It starts a sequence of four SPL games for Celtic in sixteen days – three of which are away from home. If Guidetti and Scepovic can find their shooting boots, Deila’s comments that the St Mirren game could have seen ten goals scored, not four, may well bear fruit moving forward.

DM