CELTIC 4 DUNDEE UNITED 0
SO FAR, so good for Martin O’Neill!
The interim-boss led Celtic to his sixth successive Premiership victory as he picked up where he left off against Dundee at Parkhead on December 3.
O’Neill, after answering a second SOS from the champions, transformed the team into a confident, swaggering unit during a well-deserved triumph over a Dundee United side that had beaten the Hoops only last month in one of French flop Wilfried Nancy’s six defeats in eight outings.
On this showing, brighter times are ahead under the guidance of the astute 73-year-old Irishman.
As anticipated, O’Neill received a standing ovation from a welcoming support as he emerged from the tunnel just before kick-off.
The hosts set out to dominate proceedings right from the off and had an impressive spell of possession before a low left-wing cross from comeback Bhoy Sebastian Tounekti almost piercing the United rearguard with Daizen Maeda poised ro pounce, but a defender smuggled the ball clear.
HAIL THE RETURNING HERO…Martin O’Neill enjoys a warm reception on a cold January afternoon from the Celtic fans before the 4-0 win over Dundee United at Parkhead.
In the ninth minute, Kieran Tierney joined the attack to launch a drive from 20 yards at Dave Richards’ goal, but the effort was deflected wide of the right-hand post with the keeper scrambling across his line.
The home side were camped inside the visitors’ half for the first 15 minutes and an inviting left-wing cross from Tierney was headed over by Yang, coming in at an angle.
In the 21st minute, Richards made a startling reflex save to touch over a close-range attempt by Maeda as the Hoops earned their fifth corner-kick.
Engels was swinging in some dangerous balls, but his team-mates didn’t appear to be on the same wavelength and opportunities were coming and going as United survived.
However, the breakthrough strike arrived in the 27th minute and it was another excellent finish from Yang following some patient lead-up play from the champions.
The move accelerated when Tounekti picked out Liam Scales and the defender rolled the ball across the 18-yard line.
Yang raced in to first-time a right-foot drive from just outside the box and his effort whipped low past the despairing Richards.
IT TAKES TWO…Kieran Tierney and Arne Engels celebrate the Belgian’s goal for No.2 after an excellent pass from the Scotland international.
And the Hoops almost doubled their advantage moments later when Callum McGregor flicked a pass forward to Maeda, but a lack of technique from the Japanese attacker allowed the ball to run free and the chance was gone.
It almost proved costly when United thundered to the other side of the pitch and, following some slack play by Auston Trusty, Scales had to make a last-ditch tackle to block a shot for a corner-kick.
In the 32nd minute, Engels started and finished a sweet move to net No.2 and give Celtic some breathing space.
The Belgian hit a low ball to Tierney on the left, eased into the box to accept the return pass and almost nonchalantly drill the ball home with an expert right-foot finish.
New Bhoy Julian Araujo, who arrived in a short-term loan deal from Bournemouth just over a week ago, was looking lively on the right as the team settled back into the set-up they could embrace with confidence.
It was easy on the eye as the players whipped passes all over the pitch with the opposition mere bit-part players as O’Neill’s men produced some sparkling play, something that had rarely been witnessed in the 33 days of Wilfried Nancy.
Three minutes after the turnaround, Tounekti displayed some wonderful footwork as he came on from the left before setting up a superb opportunity for Reo Hatate.
Unfortunately, the midfielder blazed wildly over from 12 yards when he should have at least hit the target.
The Tunisian international winger, who has been absent in recent games while on duty during the African Cup of Nations, was running amok on the touchline, but his colleagues weren’t capitalising on his good work.
In the 54th minute, a diabolical piece of mis control smack in front of goal by an out-of-sorts Maeda saw another brilliant opportunity go abegging.
The Japanese international looked as though he couldn’t miss with just the keeper to beat as Yang’s right-wing ball dropped at his feet.
He made a mess of his first touch and the relieved keeper picked up the loose ball.
I’LL DRINK TO THAT…Martin O’Neill takes a swig in the dug-out as Celtic rout Dundee United.
Maeda passed up another gilt-edged opportunity only moments later when he failed to connect with a low ball from Tounekti.
On the hour mark, O’Neill made his first changes as he sent on Colby Donovan and Benjamin Nygren for Araujo and Hatate.
Four minutes later, the Swede claimed No.3 as the Hoops at last got the goal their second-half pressure had warranted.
Engels picked out Nygren who flummoxed Richards with a clever shimmy to open up space before lifting a left-foot shot into the roof of the net.
In the 69th minute, Maeda at last managed to get the ball over the line for a quickfire fourth after the keeper had pushed out an attempt by Tounekti. Last season’s 33-goal man swooped to fire home.
Three minutes later, the striker was replaced with Johnny Kenny while Yang and Tounekti also made way for Luke McCowan and James Forrest.
There was a sense of relief in the stands as Celtic performed more in the way that is expected of them.
Obviously, it is early days, but there are genuine reasons for optimism in Paradise after this performance.
TEAM: Schmeichel; Araujo (sub: Donovan 60), Trusty, Scales, Tierney; Engels, McGregor, Hatate (sub: Nygren 60); Yang (sub: McCowan 72), Maeda (sub: Kenny 72), Tounekti (sub: Forrest 72).
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