2015-05-01: Celtic 5-0 Dundee, SP

Match Pictures | Matches: 2014 – 2015 | 2014-15 Pictures

Trivia

• Celtic crowned league champions after Aberdeen lose their game the next day.
• Celtic seal the league & Scottish League Cup Double.
  
• Friday night game.
• Biton scores a screamer of along range effort goal.
• Celtic’s second goal was incredible too, as every Celtic player touched the ball without a Dundee player touching it inputs way to a goal.
• Celtic supposedly after Cifti of Dundee Utd for 1.5m. Mulgrew off to Bournemouth in the summer?
• Reports that Denayer told by Man City (his club) he should go to the English Championship next season and not stay at Celtic.
• Celtic player of the year awards held on Sunday past. Winners: Brown/Johansen joint best player, Commons best goal, Denayer best young player, Griffiths fans voted best goal. Congrats all round.
• Celtic U17s win Glasgow Cup final v TheRangers equivalents. Congratulations.
• John Guidetti censured by the SFA following an appearance on Dutch TV, he didn't look to cause offence and there was none, and there is nothing wrong with "Huns are deid"! We all laughed at the deluded Huns and their media sycophants.
• Good news is that with that judgement SFA did not say Huns was sectarian, offense was over the idea that OldCo Rangers are dead! LOL.
• General elections in the next week. Expected huge win for SNP in Scotland with giant majority. In the UK it's a mess and the most uncertain elections in memory.
• Legia Warsaw lose in their case taken to the CSA (court for sport arbitration) for match result v Celtic overturned due to use of ineligible player. They rule that judgement in favour of Celtic was fair. Good news and Legia retreated with their tail between their legs.

Review

(mubo L of KDS)
Just back from game and bhoy did we get our money's worth.

Fantastic performance, one of if not the best of the season. Browny was immense, as was Bitton and our centre halfs strolled it again.

Brown's goal was an exquisite team move, Forrest's a lovely finish and Bitton's screamer was pure filth. Still couldn't believe he had scored 5 seconds afterwards

Only negative was the terrible attendance, albeit the atmosphere was great in patches during the 2nd half and when Guidetti warmed up in the first half.

Onwards and upwards

(fatboab of KDS)
A walk in the park, but done with style and no little substance. We persevered and got our just rewards against a ten man defence. Atmosphere was much livelier , Friday night football is a good thing, and the whole vibe was positive. Second goal was a work of art, and allowed Remy his first celebration in a while .
Strangely, on a night when we had almost total domination and Craig Gordon could have knocked off early, our best performers were at the back. The two centre halves will be tough acts to follow, and Izzy was excellent. What a pity his right foot scissors kick volley didn't quite come off. We could have all packed up and gone home if that had gone in.
Well done Ronnie Deila, you have turned things around in quite remarkable style, and I have a feeling this really is only the beginning.

I love Celtic.

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Stats

Celtic Dundee
Possession
36% 64%
90mins

Shots
19 6

On target
6 3

Corners
6 2

Fouls
9 10

Articles

Celtic 5 – 0 Dundee: Dees demolished at Parkhead

ALAN PATTULLO
22:00Friday 01 May 2015

OVER to you, Aberdeen. The Pittodrie side must secure a victory against Dundee United later this afternoon in order to ensure a new government is sworn in before they are finally counted out of the title race.

Scorers: Celtic – Griffiths (30), Brown (37), Commons (71 pen), Forrest (77), Biton (88)
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl/celtic-5-0-dundee-dees-demolished-at-parkhead-1-3761108

Rather than rosettes, it is ribbons that are of interest to Celtic, who took five giant strides towards the title last night. Goals by Leigh Griffiths, Scott Brown, Kris Commons, James Forrest and Nir Bitton, who struck from 40 yards, gave Celtic a landslide victory over a poor Dundee side.

Their lead over the red challengers has now stretched to 11 points. The swingometer will have to swing off its hinges to illustrate the turnaround required.

Now Celtic must wait to see if Aberdeen will be kind enough to put the lid on the trophy for them by failing to win against Dundee United this afternoon. If not, and Derek McInnes’s side can claim the victory they need to at least postpone Celtic’s coronation, then manager Ronny Delia won’t be too disappointed.

He is due to be in Norway this weekend on a visit to see his twin daughters. By the time he gets back, his principal task after being appointed last summer may well have been completed. If not, the focus will move on eight days to next Sunday afternoon, when Aberdeen host Celtic in a clash that might otherwise have been considered a mouth-watering one.

If the issue is still alive then, rather than continuing to try to overhaul Celtic at the top, Aberdeen will simply be doing all they can to prevent the visitors rubbing their noses in it by earning the point confirming them as champions. This was another fairly painless evening for Celtic, who completed their own Dundee trilogy with a third victory in nine days over sides from the city.

Wins over Dundee have sandwiched the 3-0 triumph at United last weekend, and last night Griffiths continued his personal run of good form with the opening goal.

The fact that five different players scored Celtic’s goals highlighted how much better in every area of the park they were.

There was not quite the same level of fervour as some were remembering from the last occasion Celtic hosted Dundee when on the verge of clinching the league title. On that day, a Saturday afternoon in April 1988, Celtic swept the visitors aside in front of more than 60,000 to secure the title on the way to winning the double in their centenary season.

On this Friday evening in May, there was not such congestion at the turnstiles, nor was there anything like as much anticipation. Rather, it was more a case of the inevitable almost – almost – having become reality.

The only thing in common with that afternoon 27 years ago was a dead dog of a game. Dundee were even less of a complication than in 1988, when they lost 3-0.

First-half goals by Griffiths, his eighth in his last six appearances, and Brown dulled the ardour of even the most optimistic Aberdeen supporter. As for the Dundee fans, they were once again witnesses to what felt like a Celtic coronation.

They have suffered as much as anyone at the hands of Celtic this season. Since holding them to a draw at Dens in September, Dundee have lost all four meetings with the Parkhead side, including once in the Scottish Cup. Griffiths, their former player, has proved a constant menace. Indeed, it was against Dundee that the striker got his season underway with the first of his 19 strikes to date.

Dundee manager Paul Hartley had made some encouraging noises pre-match about coming to have a go. He was alert to the fact the game was on television and also that, after admirably securing a top six place, Dundee’s season was in danger of fizzling out in rather disappointing fashion.

This was their fourth defeat in a row, although two of these games have been against Celtic. Luka Tankulic started his first game since January and was an isolated figure in attack. Dundee offered a brief suggestion they might prove awkward visitors. If clearly not here to open up Celtic, they looked doughty at first, with Kevin Thomson mopping up play at the back.

But there was always danger afoot. Brown lashed one effort wide early on and then Griffiths found the side-netting with an effort. Dundee survived a penalty shout after Stefan Johansen tumbled under a challenge by Thomson, whose own desperation to halt the player was a result of him having given the ball away in a dangerous area.

Somehow Dundee held out until the half-hour mark before Griffiths broke the deadlock. The striker beat a lame aerial challenge by Thomas Konrad to head strong past Scott Bain after a cross by Emilio Izaguirre that begged to be attacked.

Seven minutes later, Dundee’s hopes were all but extinguished when Brown finished off a neat move involving Gary Mackay-Steven and Commons, who played his skipper in with a neat reverse pass.

The second half continued the trend set in the opening period. Celtic finally got the penalty they felt they deserved earlier in the game when Stephen McGinn bundled over substitute Darnel Fisher in the box after a clever chip by Bitton.

Commons took care of the the 71st-minute kick with his customary panache before Forrest made it four after 77 minutes with a fine angled finish following a thrilling run from the halfway line. Bitton casually stroked a stunning effort into the corner of the net from fully 40 yards with two minutes left.

It capped a bloodless victory, but one that could yet stand as Celtic’s most significant win of the season providing Aberdeen are unable to respond today.

BBC
By Andrew Southwick BBC Scotland

Leigh Griffiths and Scott Brown score in first half
Kris Commons makes it three with penalty kick
James Forrest and Nir Bitton add further goals
Celtic 11 points clear of second-placed Aberdeen

Celtic are one game away from being crowned Scottish Premiership champions after an emphatic victory over Dundee.

Leigh Griffiths headed Celtic in front before Scott Brown made it two in a one-sided first half.

Kris Commons' penalty and a James Forrest low drive were followed by a superb long-range strike by Nir Bitton.

The win means Celtic could be champions on Saturday evening should closest challengers Aberdeen fail to beat Dundee United at Tannadice.

Should the Dons win, then Celtic can wrap the title up when they travel to Pittodrie next weekend to face Derek McInnes' men.

Dundee rarely got out of their half as Celtic endeavoured to give their Norwegian boss his first league title as soon as possible. Brown and Griffiths both sliced wide within a minute of each other in a sustained period of pressure.

It was route-one football that should have opened the scoring when Commons played a long ball to the feet of Griffiths.

His lay-off to Gary Mackay-Steven presented a shooting opportunity for the former Dundee United man, but he elected to pass to Stefan Johansen whose untidy left-foot shot was always rising.

A lot of Dundee's problems were self inflicted, with possession often squandered all too often inside their own half. Yet goalkeeper Scott Bain had got to the half-hour mark without a save to make.

Johansen tumbled to the turf inside the box after a high foot from Kevin Thomson only for referee Bobby Madden to wave play on, but the poor defending would be punished soon enough.
James Forrest drilled in a fourth goal for Celtic after coming off the bench

James Forrest drilled in a fourth goal for Celtic after coming off the bench

Emilio Izaguirre was given too much time to cross from the left hand side, picking out Griffiths who rose above Thomas Konrad and headed past Bain.

That seemed to open the floodgates and after a passing move where every Celtic player was involved at least once, Brown found space in the middle to drill the ball into the corner.

The job seemed done by half-time, and the second period started at a pace that befitted a training match.

It could have been 3-0 though when Brown knocked the ball into the net after Bain failed to deal with a high ball, but he was let off the hook when the referee ruled Commons had fouled the goalkeeper.

However, there was no sympathy moments later when Stephen McGinn bundled over Darnell Fisher in the box, and Commons scored from the penalty spot.

Substitute Forrest soon made it four when his pace was too much for the Dundee backline and he drilled a low shot from the right.

And Bitton made it five with a 25-yard strike that nestled into the top corner, a shot that goalkeeper Bain could only watch fire past him.

Live Text Commentary
Full time

Full Time Match ends, Celtic 5, Dundee 0.
90:00 +0:56 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Celtic 5, Dundee 0.
90:00 +0:29

Attempt missed. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
89:24 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Dundee. David Clarkson replaces Paul Heffernan because of an injury.
87:58 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 5, Dundee 0. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Darnell Fisher.
86:56

Attempt missed. Luka Tankulic (Dundee) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left.
83:52

Attempt missed. Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
82:03

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
82:03

Calvin Colquhoun (Dundee) wins a free kick on the left wing.
80:19

Attempt missed. Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
79:22

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
76:49 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 4, Dundee 0. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Kris Commons.
76:21

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
76:21

Luka Tankulic (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
75:39

Attempt saved. Thomas Konrad (Dundee) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
74:54

Corner, Dundee. Conceded by Darnell Fisher.
74:13 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Stefan Scepovic replaces Leigh Griffiths.
73:55

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
73:55

Luka Tankulic (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
73:21 Booking

Booking Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
73:15

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
73:15

Kevin Thomson (Dundee) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
70:58 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 3, Dundee 0. Kris Commons (Celtic) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom left corner.
70:40

Penalty Celtic. Darnell Fisher draws a foul in the penalty area.
70:40

Penalty conceded by Stephen McGinn (Dundee) after a foul in the penalty area.
69:56 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Dundee. Paul Heffernan replaces Simon Ferry.
69:43

Foul by Kris Commons (Celtic).
69:43

(Dundee) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
66:51

Attempt missed. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right.
66:30

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by James McPake.
66:08

Darnell Fisher (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
66:08

Foul by Stephen McGinn (Dundee).
65:51

Foul by Stephen McGinn (Dundee).
64:52 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. James Forrest replaces Stefan Johansen.
64:37 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Darnell Fisher replaces Efe Ambrose.
61:18

Attempt blocked. Stephen McGinn (Dundee) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is blocked.
60:40

Attempt saved. Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
60:15 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Dundee. Calvin Colquhoun replaces Alex Harris.
59:49

Attempt missed. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
57:56

Attempt missed. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
56:34

Attempt saved. Willie Dyer (Dundee) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
53:35

Attempt missed. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) header from the left side of the six yard box misses to the right following a corner.
53:04

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by James McPake.
50:43

Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
50:43

Foul by Stephen McGinn (Dundee).
49:06

Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
49:06

Foul by Paul McGinn (Dundee).
48:13

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
48:13

Stephen McGinn (Dundee) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
45:00

Second Half begins Celtic 2, Dundee 0.
45:00 +0:04 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Celtic 2, Dundee 0.
43:30

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the left misses to the right.
43:12

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Paul McGinn.
40:52

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
40:52

Foul by Kevin Thomson (Dundee).
39:36

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Thomas Konrad.
36:08 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 2, Dundee 0. Scott Brown (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Kris Commons.
33:11

Attempt saved. Luka Tankulic (Dundee) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
31:07

Attempt blocked. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
29:09 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 1, Dundee 0. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Emilio Izaguirre.
27:54

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Willie Dyer.
27:17

Kris Commons (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
27:17

Foul by Paul McGinn (Dundee).
26:16

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Simon Ferry.
24:15

Kris Commons (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
24:15

Foul by Jim McAlister (Dundee).
23:44

Attempt missed. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
20:00

Kevin Thomson (Dundee) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
19:58

Foul by Kris Commons (Celtic).
19:04

Attempt missed. Luka Tankulic (Dundee) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
18:24

Corner, Dundee. Conceded by Efe Ambrose.
13:22

Foul by Kris Commons (Celtic).
13:22

Luka Tankulic (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
11:44

Attempt missed. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
7:11

Foul by Stephen McGinn (Dundee).
7:11

Kris Commons (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
5:17

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left.
4:52

Foul by Stephen McGinn (Dundee).
4:52

Nir Bitton (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
1:13

Stephen McGinn (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
1:13

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
0:00

First Half begins.
0:00

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.