Match Pictures | Matches: 2021 – 2022
Trivia
- Sunday KO: 15:00; moved due to UEFA Cup match last Thursday.
- Only on Celtic TV;
- Last Covid restricted match at Celtic Park! Rainy day
- Debut home debut & hat-trick for Kyogo! Incredible.
- Protests by some Celtic groups outside Celtic of recent board management.
- Ralston given plenty of plaudits too for his goal and performance.
- Edouard subbed on late and scored a penalty, but reports are that he will be off in the next week or two.
- Christie has a blinder and many urging him to re-sign on for Celtic and not walk away.
- Dundee United inflicted Sevco’s first defeat in 41 league matches. Their team included ex-Celtic Charlie Mulgrew!
- McCarthy did not start for Celtic today. Might be hard to get into the side now!
- Olympics: final day today in Tokyo Olympics. Paisley’s Jack Carlin won bronze in cycling. Scottish runner Laura Muir smashed the British record to take silver in the 1500m final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Congrats. Good Olympics for Scots & Irish. Edinburgh’s Josh Kerr wins stunning bronze in 1500m. In total 11 Scots won medals in the games as part of team GB. So congrats to each of them. And to the Irish gold medallists too, and all else. No crowds due to covid restrictions, so surreal olympics. Next one is in three years.
- Messi leaves Barcelona, big tearful press conference etc.
- Reports: Inter Milan heading towards Liquidation. The plan is to sell every player who receives a bid. Selling Lukaku isn’t the end: Lautaro Martinez, Barella, De Vrij. No-one can be certain of wearing the Inter shirt next season. (Source: @Corriere)
- Rugby: GB & Irish Lions get turned over by SAF in one of the most boring international series of matches in any code ever.
Covid
- Last Covid restricted match at Celtic park; stadiums allowed back to full capacity from 9th August onwards.
Summary
Three goals for @Kyogo_Furuhashi on his Celtic Park & league debut!
Three assists for Ryan Christie
Three points for the Bhoys
What a difference a week makes! Possibly, after last season’s dirge and this season’s early negativity the light is now appearing at the end of the tunnel. But early days.
There’s not enough superlatives to describe Kyogo’s performance today. ON the same day that the grand Tokyo Olympics ended, it was actually Kyogo who steals the headlines even for many Japanese folk.
Big word also for Ralston who is winning some people over.
(JWUp of KDS)
Brilliant.
As dominant a performance I can remember since we spanked the Huns 5 nil before easing off. So many positives…
Should have been double figures.
Dundee should have saw red at least twice.
Dundee could barely hold on to the ball.
Looks like our new best player will also be one of our hardest working.
McGreagor beginning to really grow into being a captain.
Christie with a hat trick of some of the best assists you’ll see.
Signs of Turnbull making a lightly new role for himself using his full passing range.
Defence looked solid
Ralston was very good.
McGregor perfect in that deeper role for games we are going to dominate.
Christie and Kyogo unplayable at times. Brilliant to see Kyogo sprinting to close down and make tackles. Looks to be a really infectious character too.
There’s still loads of work to do but even the biggest doom mongers can hopefully see we potentially have the makings of a really exciting side. I still expect there to be a couple of bumps along the way but now looking forward to games again, with one eye on the Huns game too now.
JBS 717 of KDS:
Spot on about the referee. Dundee could/should have three red cards for the assaults on Ralston, Christie and Starfelt! When you 6-0 is the right time
Teams
Celtic:
Formation 4-3-3
- 15Hart
- 56Ralston
- 57Welsh
- 4Starfelt
- 3Taylor Substituted for Montgomery at 72′minutes
- 14Turnbull
- 42McGregor
- 18Rogic Substituted for Forrest at 65′minutes
- 11Abada
- 8Furuhashi Substituted for Edouard at 69′minutes
- 17Christie
Substitutes
- 6Bitton
- 10Ajeti
- 12Soro
- 22Edouard
- 29Bain
- 49Forrest
- 54Montgomery
Goals:
- Furuhashi (20′ minutes, 25′ minutes, 67′ minutes),
- Rogic (49′ minutes),
- Ralston (84′ minutes),
- Edouard (90′ minutes pen)
Assists:
- Abada (20′ minutes),
- Christie (25′ minutes, 49′ minutes, 67′ minutes),
- Forrest (84′ minutes)
Dundee
Formation 4-5-1
- 1Legzdins
- 16Elliott Substituted for Robertson at 52′minutes
- 14AshcroftBooked at 28mins
- 5Sweeney
- 3MarshallBooked at 89mins; Red Card: Marshall 89
- 18McMullan
- 6McGhee
- 8Byrne
- 26Adam Substituted for McCowan at 60′minutes
- 10McGowan
- 23Sheridan Substituted for Cummings at 61′minutes
Substitutes
- 11McDaid
- 17McCowan
- 19Robertson
- 20Panter
- 21Lawlor
- 35Cummings
- 44Wilkie
Ref: Euan Anderson
Att: 24,000
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
- Prior
- Match
- Post
- MoTM
Stats
- Possession
- Home75%
- Away25%
- Shots
- Home31
- Away3
- Shots on Target
- Home15
- Away0
- Corners
- Home11
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away12
Articles
…
BBC
The outstanding Kyogo Furuhashi scored a hat-trick as Celtic swept aside Dundee to give manager Ange Postecoglou a rousing first Scottish Premiership victory in front of 24,500 fans.
The Japanese forward pounced twice in the box to finish flowing Celtic attacks before the break, and dinked in his third in the second half before being replaced to a standing ovation.
Tom Rogic had already added Celtic’s third, and Anthony Ralston converted a superb fifth goal before Odsonne Edouard scored a sixth from the spot.
It was a tough day at the office for James McPake’s Dundee, as they finished with 10 men following Jordan Marshall’s foul on Liel Abada, which resulted in a red card and Celtic’s penalty.
Despite a difficult start to life in Glasgow, Postecoglou was given a warm reception from those allowed into the stadium as the Australian took charge of his first home league game.
The ire of many of the supporters has been fully focused on those in the boardroom and some protested pre-match, as an early Champions League exit was followed up by defeat by Hearts on the opening week of league action.
But despite the full backing of the supporters, Postecoglou would have known all too well that signs of progress on the pitch were essential to retain their long-term faith, and this rout of Dundee showed the way forward.
Furuhashi was at the heart of it as his energy, movement, and first touch mesmerised the Dundee defenders as well as the crowd.
The forward ought to have opened the scoring on 10 minutes, but put the ball past a post after a flowing move. But he did not make the same mistake when given another chance, finishing smartly across Adam Legzdins after Liel Abada was set free by David Turnbull to send the ball across goal.
Furuhashi was then lightening quick to peel off his marker as Christie surged down the left, and when the Scotland forward found his team-mate with an inch-perfect cross, he was in the right place to tap home.
Only a goalline clearance from Dundee defender Lee Ashcroft prevented him from completing a first-half hat-trick as his intelligence continued to cause problems.
He was far from the only outstanding performer for Celtic, though, and Turnbull found Christie again to tee up Rogic to fire past Legzdins and kill the game off early in the second period.
And minutes after missing a clear opportunity for his hat-trick, Furuhashi was wheeling away in celebration for a third time as the brilliant Christie slipped the ball through for him to lift the ball into the bottom corner.
Ralston then added to his goal against Hearts – and his rehabilitated reputation – as he touched the ball away from both Dundee centre-backs before sticking the ball into the bottom corner.
And Celtic were not done yet as Abada drove into the box to tease Marshall into bundling him to the deck, which resulted in the Dundee defender’s red card, and substitute Edouard firing past Legzdins to cap a slick Celtic display.
The only negative is a potential injury to Edouard, who was seen hobbling off after a post-match warm down.
Man of the match – Kyogo Furuhashi
What did we learn?
This was as good as Celtic have played in months. Furuhashi will rightly grab the headlines, but there was so much to like about their play.
Callum McGregor dictated from deep and drove the team forward, providing a calming influence as Celtic continued to play out from the back after a slightly shaky first few minutes when Dundee pressed high.
Christie grabbed three assists, Turnbull’s range of passing was outstanding, Abada’s directness was a joy, and a rare clean sheet will boost confidence. There will be tougher tests to come, but Postecoglou wanted to “kickstart” Celtic’s season, and his team certainly did that.
Dundee will not be judged on visits to the Old Firm this season, but this was still a chastening afternoon. They made an encouraging start as they set about forcing the Celtic backline into mistakes, but once the home side settled, James McPake’s side struggled to get near them.
The Dens Park boss did not want to directly address news of MK Dons’ interest in his services, instead insisting he is fully focussed on bouncing back from this heavy loss.
What they said
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou: “It was great right from the beginning. There was great intent to put our stamp on the game. The pleasing thing was we didn’t let up, right up to the final minute we’re trying to score another goal.”
Dundee manager James McPake: “It’s quite an easy assessment, we were nowhere near good enough. We never got close enough to Celtic all over the pitch. Defensively we were really poor. We’ve been here before where we’ve taken heavy and sore defeats. So I’m not worried at all about the reaction.”
What’s next?
Celtic host FK Jablonec in the return leg of their Europa League qualifier on Thursday (19:45 BST), followed by a League Cup last-16 tie against Hearts on Sunday (15:00). Dundee are at home to Motherwell in their League Cup tie on Saturday (15:00).
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Match ends, Celtic 6, Dundee 0.
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Full Time
Second Half ends, Celtic 6, Dundee 0.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Liel Abada (Celtic) right footed shot from very close range is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Odsonne Edouard with a headed pass.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Adam Legzdins.
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Post update
Attempt missed. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Callum McGregor.
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Post update
Goal! Celtic 6, Dundee 0. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the top right corner.
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Dismissal
Jordan Marshall (Dundee) is shown the red card.
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Post update
Penalty Celtic. Liel Abada draws a foul in the penalty area.
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Post update
Penalty conceded by Jordan Marshall (Dundee) after a foul in the penalty area.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Carl Starfelt (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Liel Abada with a cross following a corner.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Adam Legzdins.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Liel Abada (Celtic) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Odsonne Edouard.
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Goal!
Goal! Celtic 5, Dundee 0. Anthony Ralston (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by James Forrest with a cross.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Adam Legzdins.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by David Turnbull.
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Post update
Offside, Dundee. Ryan Sweeney tries a through ball, but Paul McGowan is caught offside.
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Post update
Foul by Odsonne Edouard (Celtic).
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Post update
Shaun Byrne (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Adam Montgomery replaces Greg Taylor.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Ryan Christie (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Liel Abada.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Odsonne Edouard replaces Kyogo Furuhashi.
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Goal!
Goal! Celtic 4, Dundee 0. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ryan Christie with a through ball.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Post update
Offside, Dundee. Adam Legzdins tries a through ball, but Paul McGowan is caught offside.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. James Forrest replaces Tomas Rogic.
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Post update
David Turnbull (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Jordan McGhee (Dundee).
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Post update
Attempt missed. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Tomas Rogic.
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Post update
Ryan Christie (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Paul McMullan (Dundee).
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Post update
Attempt missed. Jordan McGhee (Dundee) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Paul McMullan with a cross following a corner.
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Post update
Corner, Dundee. Conceded by Carl Starfelt.
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Substitution
Substitution, Dundee. Jason Cummings replaces Cillian Sheridan.
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Substitution
Substitution, Dundee. Luke McCowan replaces Charlie Adam.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Liel Abada (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Anthony Ralston.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ryan Sweeney.
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Post update
Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Foul by Charlie Adam (Dundee).
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Post update
Stephen Welsh (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Lee Ashcroft (Dundee).
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Post update
Corner, Dundee. Conceded by Callum McGregor.
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Post update
Foul by Ryan Christie (Celtic).
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Post update
Charlie Adam (Dundee) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Foul by Liel Abada (Celtic).
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Post update
Shaun Byrne (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution
Substitution, Dundee. Finlay Robertson replaces Christie Elliott.
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Post update
Offside, Dundee. Paul McGowan tries a through ball, but Cillian Sheridan is caught offside.
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Post update
Corner, Dundee. Conceded by Joe Hart.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Paul McGowan (Dundee) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Cillian Sheridan.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ryan Christie with a cross.
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Goal!
Goal! Celtic 3, Dundee 0. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Ryan Christie.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Cillian Sheridan (Dundee) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Lee Ashcroft with a headed pass.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Stephen Welsh (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Callum McGregor following a corner.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by David Turnbull with a cross.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Shaun Byrne.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ryan Sweeney.
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Second Half
Second Half begins Celtic 2, Dundee 0.
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Half Time
First Half ends, Celtic 2, Dundee 0.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Paul McGowan.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Stephen Welsh (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Stephen Welsh (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ryan Christie with a cross.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Adam Legzdins.
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Post update
Attempt saved. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Ryan Christie.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Adam Legzdins.
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Post update
Attempt saved. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Ryan Christie.
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Post update
Foul by Anthony Ralston (Celtic).
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Post update
Paul McGowan (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Booking
Jordan Marshall (Dundee) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Post update
Anthony Ralston (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Post update
Foul by Jordan Marshall (Dundee).
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Post update
Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
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Post update
Paul McGowan (Dundee) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Post update
Offside, Dundee. Jordan Marshall tries a through ball, but Cillian Sheridan is caught offside.
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Post update
Foul by Anthony Ralston (Celtic).
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Post update
Cillian Sheridan (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Anthony Ralston (Celtic).
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Post update
Jordan Marshall (Dundee) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Post update
Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
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Post update
Jordan McGhee (Dundee) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Anthony Ralston (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Charlie Adam (Dundee).
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Post update
Attempt saved. Liel Abada (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Greg Taylor.
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Booking
Lee Ashcroft (Dundee) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Post update
Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Foul by Lee Ashcroft (Dundee).
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Post update
Attempt saved. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Greg Taylor.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) right footed shot from very close range is blocked. Assisted by Liel Abada.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Liel Abada (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Anthony Ralston.
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Post update
Foul by Ryan Christie (Celtic).
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Post update
Paul McMullan (Dundee) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Goal!
Goal! Celtic 2, Dundee 0. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ryan Christie.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Liel Abada (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Ryan Christie.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jordan Marshall.
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Goal!
Goal! Celtic 1, Dundee 0. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Liel Abada.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Anthony Ralston (Celtic) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by David Turnbull with a cross following a corner.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Adam Legzdins.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.
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Post update
Ryan Christie (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Foul by Charlie Adam (Dundee).
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Post update
Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Jordan McGhee (Dundee).
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Post update
Attempt missed. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Tomas Rogic.
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Post update
Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Paul McMullan (Dundee).
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Post update
Foul by Liel Abada (Celtic).
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Post update
Shaun Byrne (Dundee) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Post update
Joe Hart (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Paul McMullan (Dundee).
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Post update
Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).
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Post update
Paul McGowan (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Kick Off
First Half begins.
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Post update
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Kyogo’s treble as scintillating Celts hit Dundee for six
By Paul Cuddihy, Celtic View Editor
Scottish Premiership
Sunday, August 8, 2021
Celtic Park, Glasgow
CELTIC… 6
(Kyogo 20, 25 & 67; Rogic 48, Ralston 83, Edouard 89pen)
DUNDEE… 0
Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side marked their first home league game of the campaign with an outstanding display of attacking football that saw them hit six goals without reply against Dundee.
On an afternoon of many impressive performances, it was hat-trick hero, Kyogo, who picked up the Man of the Match award for his stunning goalscoring feat.
And no one would argue that the Japanese attacker deserved the accolade, though every one of his team-mates were also in top form to take all three points.
It was an emotional start to proceedings, as 24,500 Celtic fans provided a rousing rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone, and after a cagey start to the game, Ange Postecoglou’s side soon found their rhythm.
The first clear chance came on 10 minutes when Kyogo and Tom Rogic combined well, with the Australian slotting the ball into the path of the Japanese striker, but his effort from 10 yards out went narrowly wide. He was not to be denied for long, however.
That first goal at Paradise for the new Bhoy – and his second in Celtic colours – came on 20 minutes. Liel Abada drove down the right and his cross into the box was met first-time by Kyogo, who steered the ball beyond Adam Legzdins in the Dundee goal.
And just five minutes later it was 2-0 to Celtic. Ryan Christie did well down the left flank, skipping past his marker, before laying the ball into the path of Kyogo to fire home his second of the game.
It was a superb strike, with the Japanese striker showing great movement inside the box to leave the Dundee defenders floundering.
And only a save from Legzdins on 26 minutes denied Kyogo a hat-trick. David Turnbull also had a couple of efforts from outside the box, with one shot producing a great save from the Dundee keeper, while Stephen Welsh had a shot saved just before the end of a breathtaking first 45 minutes.
75%
Possession
25%
31
Shots
3
15
Shots On Target
0
11
Corners
3
11
Fouls
12
0
0
Cards
2
1
It took the Hoops just three minutes after the break to add to their tally. Turnbull played a high ball over the top to Christie, who showed superb skill to bring the ball under control.
He laid it into the path of the Australian attacker, and he produced an effortless finish to make it 3-0.
And just before the 67th minute mark, Paradise got the Kyogo hat-trick it craved when the Japanese striker fired the ball high into the net.
As supporters acclaimed their new goalscoring hero, he was also given a standing ovation as he was replaced by Odsonne Edouard.
The Frenchman would get on the scoresheet with a penalty in the last minute after Liel Abada was brought down in the box, with Jordan Marshall red-carded for the foul, but before that Anthony Ralston scored his second of the season with another great finish.
A short corner found its way into the box where Ralston took a touch before sliding in a left-foot finish.
There was even time for Celtic to come close to a magnificent seventh goal in added time, but while that chance went just wide, it did not dampen the enthusiasm of the Celtic supporters who had savoured a scintillating Celtic display at Paradise.
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58139951
Celtic 6-0 Dundee: ‘Kyogo Furuhashi ignites side with mesmeric display’
Last updated on
.From the section Celtic
At the sound of the half-time whistle, Joe Hart walked to the mouth of the Celtic Park tunnel and paused to wait for Kyogo Furuhashi, the little Japanese striker only in the country a veritable wet week but a player who had created quite a storm.
The goalkeeper has been around the block in his time. He’s seen a few handy players. Played with a bunch, has been beaten by a bunch.
The little hand-slap he gave Furuhashi was an acknowledgment of a terrific first 45 minutes in his new stadium, an appreciation of a talent who was at the heart of a high-energy, high-class Celtic performance, a six-goal win that could just as easily have been seven, eight, nine or 10.
The 26-year-old was kinda mesmeric. Even before he started to get on the end of passes from those around him, his movement was a blur.
Those early surges weren’t picked up by his Celtic team-mates, but it was only a matter of time before they were. Ryan Christie looked like a man reborn out there. The pair of them together looked the double act of the Celtic fans dreams.
Furuhashi was a whirling dervish that Dundee did not know how to contain. Go tight or back off? Stick or twist? It didn’t really matter. He should have scored after 10 minutes. His gorgeous touch found Tom Rogic, who squared it back to him, only for the striker to flash it wide. A miss, but a galvanising moment all the same.
The impact the 25,000 in the stands were having on the 11 below was obvious. Noise, encouragement, positivity, energy. The players fed off it. There was a power and a verve in this Celtic performance that we haven’t seen for an awfully long time.
Twenty minutes in and Furuhashi scored his first. Wavelengths had been synchronised. David Turnbull to Liel Abada. The winger slid it across goal and in came Furuhashi to glance it home with his boot. Not an easy finish but an emphatic one.
One goal became two. Christie had the bit between his teeth. Back to his influential best. He motored down the left, picked out his striker and Furuhashi put it away. The timing and pace of it was excellent. The bewildered looks on the faces of the visitors was unmissable.
Seven minutes later, Furuhashi should have scored again. Inside 27 minutes he could have had four goals.
‘First stirrings of Postecoglou’s team could be seen’
It wasn’t just his slickness that stood out, it was his defensive diligence. Just after the half-hour, he charged down Ryan Sweeney in the left corner. Just before the break, he charged down Cillian Sheridan in the right corner.
As much as his quality lit the place up, it was the sight of him defending from the front that had the Celtic fans on their feet. A player, obviously. But a worker, too.
So when Hart took a minute to say well done, it was deserved. You could say it was only Dundee, but Celtic toiled endlessly against this type of focused, honest team last season. They toiled against everybody, pretty much. This was like a snapshot of the old days. The first stirrings of what Ange Postecoglou is trying to achieve were seen.
Christie created the third for Rogic. The rain came down, the thunder started to rumble and Celtic pressed on. Furuhashi slipped when shooting. Had he kept his feet, a goal was more probable than not, but that third of his came soon enough.
The defence-splitting pass from Christie was sumptuous, the finish from Furuhashi was lethal. Three goals here, one goal midweek. Four in two games in a new team, in a new country, while trying to learn the basics of a new language. Thirty-one touches, seven shots, three goals. Outstanding.
He was taken off straight after and ovation was as long as it was earned. Odsonne Edouard came on for him in a passing of the torch moment that few would have missed.
In this attacking riot there was a fifth for Anthony Ralston, a brilliant finish that made it two in a week for a guy Celtic didn’t want a piece of for the longest time, and a sixth for Edouard, a man who has given much to the club and who’s probably not got much more left in him before he leaves. It was a penalty earned by Abada, the teenager who turned in another stellar performance.
Six did not flatter Celtic. Against the best sides they still have much work to do in defence, but in the tempest of Glasgow’s east end, they put on a mighty show going forward.
Furuhashi was the story, but the support cast were relentless. A day that started with a rumoured protest outside the ground ended with sustained approval inside it. Optimism for the home support. It’s been a while.