Celtic stepped up their bid to retain the SPFL Premiership title with a 6-0 home win over Dundee.
Damage from Storm Eowyn forced the postponement of the match 10 days earlier, arriving back in Glasgow Tony Docherty’s side were hit by the full force of the champions led by the brilliance of Daizen Maeda.
The Japanese internationalist scored two contrasting goals early in the second half to send the hosts 4-0 up, adding to his legacy in an incredible season that has delivered 18 goals so far- and the vital penalty that secured the League Cup in December- trophy 119 for Scotland’s most successful club.
? Maeda’s lob, Engels’ strike & Kuhn’s finish
Celtic extend their lead at the top of the table to 13 points after a 6-0 win over Dundee ?? pic.twitter.com/Kr7pxwXoL3
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) February 5, 2025
It had taken an Arne Engels penalty to put Celtic in front in the 18th minute, referee Colin Steven forced into an embarrassing u-turn after awarding a free kick against Auston Trusty when he had been man-handled to the ground in a prolonged attack from Mo Sylla.
Adam Idah popped in an opportunistic second in the time added on for the VAR check but it was after the break that Celtic turned on the style.
In the 55th minute Jota popped an in-swinging cross onto Maeda’s head for Celtic’s third, four minutes later a flowing move was given the finish it deserved when Maeda swung a 20 yard crossfield shot over Trevor Carson.
There was no letting up from the homeside with Engels and Nicolas Kuhn finding the net to put Celtic 13 points clear at the top of the table with 13 matches left to play- for extra insurance their goal difference is 29 better off than Phil Clement’s side.
A great score but people seem to be getting carried away it and it also serves as a lovely diversion from the disastrous transfer window but we have to take in the level of the opposition. These victories should be a given with the superiority in finances and squad strength.
Hatate manages to get through a match without giving every pass away and he is now ” world class”
Rodgers must be the only manager in the game not to be salivating over having the chance to have Kuhn running rampant on the right and Jota doing like wise on the left with Maeda and Idah in the centre.
Could easily have played three at the back to accommodate.