Kyogo go go. Celtic 6-0 Dundee 08/08/21

CELTIC 6-0 DUNDEE
SPFL


Sunday 8th August 2021

K.O. 3pm


Celtic Park. Glasgow

Attendance: 24,500 (Covid restriction)

He danced, he dazzled, he dazed and he scored a hat trick. It could and should have been a double hat trick but Celtic’s new Man from Japan is going to shine in Hoops in the coming season. His movement and positional sense are fantastic. His creativity, monumental and he is now going to be the most requested name and number for printing on the Replica jerseys.



On a wet muggy Glasgow afternoon it could have been one of those days when the opposition turns up to Celtic Park with the game plan to frustrate Celtic in every way possible. Big Ange was well prepared and it was obvious from the kick off that we would press and play a high line. With the rebuilding job in its infancy we didn’t have the * given right to click and gel so well today but these players had a different idea and the fresh input from the man in charge is already starting to pay dividends.



The unfortunate loss away to Hearts in the first game came too early for this team but it was a loss by the blue half of Glasgow yesterday that did no harm in boosting the confidence of fans and players alike. A few new Bhoys made their Parkhead debut in front of 24,500 fans who gave Big Ange and his players a very warm welcome. Straight into goal went the experience of Joe Hart, Starfelt in defence, Abada & Furuhashi stocking up in attack. There was also a starting place for Tom Rogic under his old International gaffer and he didn’t disappoint.


In fact none of the players disappointed and all got big pass marks for showing hunger and desire after such a disappointing past season. Ryan Christie stepped up to the plate and seems to be rekindling the form that made him a fan favourite two seasons ago. It was fluid football and was such a joy to watch. Every time Celtic went forward it looked like a goal coming and the 6-0 score line actually flattered the Dundonians. This Celtic team was on fire. We did have a few early scares with Taylor and Starfelt both slipping up in an apparent lack of concentration but they quickly got down to the job at hand.


Only ten minutes in and it should have been a goal from Kyogo as he got into a lovely shooting position after slick passing. Unfortunately with only the goalie to beat he steered it wide when it looked easier to finish. Good signs and Kyogo would not pass up on his second chance when it came calling 10 minutes later. On the 20th minute good industrious work from Turnbull when he released Abada who put a beautiful ball across the front of the Dundee goal. The wee man from Japan was there to nick in ahead of his defender and put the ball past Legzdins in goal. 1-0 and no looking back.



25 minutes and Kyogo made it 2-0 with a similar goal to his first. He peeled away to arrive on a Ryan Christie pinpoint pass, this time from the left, to tap home. It was now a case of how many can we score? He should have taken his hat trick only two minutes later but for a goal line clearance by Dundee defender Lee Ashcroft. Celtic were turning the screw and Dundee were hanging on for dear life. Celtic were camped out in the opposition’s half and great work from Captain McGregor, Turnbull and Christie we’re dictating the tempo for the whole first half.



It took Celtic only 4 minutes into the second period to go further ahead and it was yer man Christie who provided the opportunity for Big Tom Rogic to strike into the net to put the Hoops 3-0 up. Kyogo Furuhashi had another attempt for his hat trick and amazingly missed another sitter. This player didn’t let his head drop because minutes later his third goal arrived and once again the brilliant Christie was the playmaker and his pass saw Kyogo deftly chip over the goalie and into the net. Ange made the wise decision of immediately replacing the star performer after his goal with want away striker Edouard.



In 84 minutes Anthony Ralston made it two goals in two league games to give his confidence a massive lift. John Hartson labelled it a strikers goal as Ralston, with his back to goal, chipped the ball up and spun to strike it past Legzdins with two defenders breathing down his neck. The only thing for sure in this game was that Celtic couldn’t score more goals than the Dundee Goalkeeper Adam Legzdins has had clubs. 34 years old and 15 different clubs at this point.


Celtic’s 6th and final goal came when 19 year old Abada raced into the box to be bundled over by a rash Jordan Marshall challenge in which he received the red and his marching orders. The referee had been shocking up to this point as Dundee should easily have had two further reds and a lot of harsh play going unpunished. Edouard denied Abada the penalty and he coolly slotted the ball home. He is the penalty taker after all and did the right thing in my opinion.



Kyogo was named man of the match deservedly for lighting up a dank day like a beacon of hope for Celtic’s coming campaign. He seemed to love the announcement and sat back and clapped every corner of the stadium. The accolade could easily have also gone to Ryan Christie or Anthony Ralston. With another few additions to the team for Ange and the road ahead is looking good. His vision of football could be the perfect marriage for Celtic and the support who always demand the best from the team. Oh and the dressing room spirit looks good again. Let’s hope this is only the beginning.

“Hey there you with the sad face.”


Lineups:


CELTIC: Hart, Ralston, Welsh, Starfelt, Taylor, Turnbull, McGregor, Rogic, Abada, Furuhashi, Christie. Subs: Bitton, Ajeti, Soro, Edouard, Bain, Forrest, Montgomery.


DUNDEE: Legzdins, Elliott, Ashcroft, Sweeney, Marshall, McMullan, Magee, Byrne, Adam, McGowan, Sheridan. Subs: McDaid, McCowan, Robertson, Panter, Lawlor, Cummings, Wilkie.


Celtic Formation: 4-3-3


Possession: 75%

Shots: 31

Shots on Target: 15


Assists: Abada (20) Christie (25, 49, 67) Forrest (84)

By Packybhoy