CELTIC 5 ABERDEEN 0
THE champions went on a goal rampage as they brought down the curtain on the Premiership season in spectacular fashion this afternoon.
Kyogo Furuhashi fired in a first-half double before departing the action shortly after the interval to be replaced by Oh Hyeon-gyu.
The South Korean then went on to thump in two of his own while Carl Starfelt, with his first goal since the 9-0 romp at Tannadice in August, also got in on the act.
It was the perfect send off that ended as it started – with a victory over Aberdeen in Paradise back in July.
Two goals from Kyogo in a pulverising five-minute spell blasted the Hoops on their way to victory.
The Dons were living dangerously and, in fact, could have been adrift in 32 SECONDS after the Japanese hitman had been surprisingly wayward with his finishing after making a typical lightning dash into space to gather a superb delivery from Alistair Johnston.
Keeper Kelle Roos was helplessly stranded, but the prolific attacker whipped a drive well off target.
NUMBER ONE…Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates yet another Celtic strike.
However, Kyogo made up for it with a scintillating opener in the 27th minute that almost brought the house down.
Callum McGregor, once again the beating heart of the team, set it in motion with a crisp pass to Greg Taylor who picked out the dangerman with a diagonal pass.
Kyogo, with two defenders in front of him, swept onto the ball, checked onto his left foot and then walloped an unstoppable drive over the sprawling Roos high into the net.
In the 32nd minute, the penalty-box predator struck again with the same deadly instincts.
NUMBER TWO…Kyogo Furuhashi races away in triumph after netting his 32nd goal of a prolific campaign.
McGregor took aim from outside the box and attempted to arc a low ball past Roos at his right. The Dutch netminder dived full length to get to the effort, but couldn’t hold onto the ball.
It slipped from his grasp and that was all Kyogo required to swoop onto the ricochet and clip in the second goal.
The two-goal lead was well deserved by the hosts who had dominated proceedings from the carnival kick-off with the fans in great voice in a perfect setting with the sun shining on the title kings.
They were denied an opening goal in the 25th minute when Roos defied Starfelt with a full-length dive to his right to push away the Swedish defender’s thunderous header from a Matt O’Riley corner-kick delivery.
NUMBER THREE…Carl Starfelt is all smiles after his rocket-like header.
Kyogo almost claimed a hat-trick in the opening 45 minutes only moments after his second strike, but on this occasion his left-foot angled drive carried too much elevation and cleared the crossbar with Roos helpless.
James Forrest was introduced as a substitute for Liel Abada, who had been lively during his duels with ex-Celt Jonny Hayes, at the start of the second-half.
Unfortunately, Kyogo took a knock on his ankle following an accidental clash with Roos as he chased a pass from Jack McKenzie. He got back to his feet before going down again and being forced to come off with Oh taking his place.
The ruthless, relentless hitman, who took his tally to 33 with his strikes against the Dons, could be a concern for Ange Postecoglou ahead of the Scottish Cup Final against Inverness Caley Thistle at Hampden a week tonight.
NUMBER FOUR…Oh Hyeon-gyu glides a header into the far corner.
There may also be a worry over comeback Bhoy Johnston who limped off in the 64th minute with Anthony Ralston taking his right-back berth.
Filipe Jota, always busy, thought he had scored the third goal when he touched in a cross from O’Riley, but he was just offside in the 75th minute.
However, Starfelt had better luck three minutes later when he bulleted in a six-yard header after an inch-perfect right-wing corner-kick from O’Riley.
Two minutes later, O’Riley and Hatate made way from David Turnbull and Ben Summers and the processon continued towards the visitors’ goal.
Number Four was claimed by Oh with a glancing header from a Jota left-wing cross in the 82nd minute.
NUMBER FIVE…Oh Hyeon-gyu salutes the delighted Celtic fans.
And the South Korean powerhouse made it five when he snapped up the rebound from the Portuguese maverick that had hammered against the crossbar in the fading moments. He timed his run forward brilliantly and whipped the ball in from close range.
Now all eyes are on Hampden in a week’s time.
Celtic fans sense treble ahead.
