CELTIC 2 DUNDEE 0
ALISTAIR JOHNSTON proved to be an inspirational introduction as Celtic dug out the win that keeps them in pole position in the Premiership after a hard-fought triumph over Dundee at Parkhead this evening.
The encounter was locked at 0-0 until Brendan Rodgers threw on the Canadian international defender in the 57th minute.
Johnston had only been on the pitch three minutes as the replacement for Anthony Ralston when he snatched the breakthrough goal that acted as a springboard for another three points.
Arne Engels stroked in a penalty-kick to double the advantage and make certain of the much-needed triumph.
In truth, it was more of a struggle than a stroll against opponents who were clearly not in Glasgow just to make up the numbers.
Kasper Schmeichel was forced into a smart save in the first minute as he got down swiftly to his right to push a hooked shot from Antonio Portales round the post for a corner-kick after the defence had failed to clear a diagonal free-kick from the right.
The hosts’ response was immediate and Kyogo Furuhashi should have scored in the fourth minute when he took a neat ball from Ralston on his chest, moved into a glorious shooting position and the opening goal looked a certainty.
However, he was denied as keeper Jon McCracken thrust out his right foot and diverted the effort wide.
OH NO, KYOGO…Japanese hitman Kyogo Furuhashi grimaces after a miss.
Three minutes later, the Japanese striker, normally so deadly, had a horrendous miss when Engels smuggled a pass to him, but from only eight yards and with the goal gaping, the frontman whipped his drive well wide of the target.
Luis Palma, making a rare start on the left wing, was eager to get involved and make an impact and had a go from 25 yards in the 23rd minute, but his accuracy was out as the effort sailed tamely over the bar.
As anticipated, the Hoops dominated possession and only a last-ditch block diverted an Engels drive, but, despite the one-way traffic, it was still scoreless at the interval.
Little had been seen of Yang Hyun-jun, making his first league start of the season, but he came within a foot of the breakthrough strike when he was picked out by Palma at the far post.
The South Korean winger was at full stretch and could only manage to nudge the ball wide of the target from almost under the crossbar.
Paulo Bernardo, trying hard during a first-half of frustration, fashioned a good shooting opportunity after displaying quick feet about 25 yards out, but his curling effort swept just wide of McCracken’s right-hand upright.
There was a lack of fluency and killer touch as rookie referee Ross Hardie blew for half-time.
ENCOURAGEMENT…Brendan Rodgers urges on his players from the touchline.
Two minutes into the second period, Kyogo moved menacingly into the box, but his right-foot 12-yard drive flew over the bar.
Yang and Palma combined on the edge of the box in the 49th minute and the Honduran arced in a goalbound attempt from 20 yards, but McCracken took off in spectacular fashion to punch the ball away.
Only moments later, the keeper denied Kyogo after the striker scooped a Yang right-wing towards the net. McCracken managed to claw it off the line as the home fans prepared to greet the opening goal.
In the 57th minute, Brendan Rodgers decided to freshen up the team that had looked disturbingly disjointed and he sent on Johnston, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda for Ralston, Bernardo and Palma.
On the hour mark, Canadian right-back Johnston proved to be a wonderful substitution as he sneaked in at the near post to cleverly turn in a low right-wing pass from Yang.
The defender was following on from Sunday at Fir Park where he scored the crucial second goal in the 3-0 win over Motherwell.
It was superb timing and was greeted with as much relief as joy from the home support.
JOY BHOY…Alistair Johnston shouts with delight after scoring a goal.
Two minutes later James Forrest joined the action as he replaced Yang who had looked ring rusty.
In the 67th minute, the champions claimed a second goal via the penalty spot.
Portales dragged back Kyogo as he raced onto Engels’ through pass and the match official immediately pointed to the spot. VAR had a look before the award got the green light.
Engels, with back-to-back successes against Hearts and Slovan Bratislava, strolled up before calm rolling the ball to McCracken’s left as the netminder took off in the opposite direction.
In the 76th minute, Liam Scales came on for Cameron Carter-Vickers with Rodgers obviously looking to the Premier Sports League Cup semi-final against Aberdeen on Saturday night.
Maeda should have nodded in a third as the clock ticked down, but he headed over from four yards after a superb cross from Man of the Match Johnston.
TEAM: Schmeichel; Ralston (sub: Johnston 57), Carter-Vickers (sub: Scales 76), Trusty, Taylor; McCowan, Engels, Bernardo (sub: Hatate 57); Yang (sub: Forrest 62), Kyogo, Palma (sub: Maeda 57).
