Well that was wonderful in many ways today, and in all the ways that mattered.
Our football was glorious to watch at times. The attacking movement was sensational. The forwards were immense. Jota got two and Kyogo got two. They would both have been sure-fire bets for a hat-trick had the manager not wanted to rest them both.
There is a wide-ranging debate over who the best player at the club at the moment is.
For me there’s simply not a debate to be had. Jota is the most exciting footballer I’ve seen at Parkhead in years and although Kyogo is the true heir to Larsson (and I thought Edouard looked that; he has nothing on this boy for movement and vision and finishing) the real genius is the Portuguese who terrorised Dundee every time he was on the ball today.
These two have an understanding which is already near to telepathy.
They ripped the home team’s defence to absolute ribbons whenever they ventured into the box.
The crossing tactic was used only sparingly today; these guys played some of their best football on the deck. But we should give some acknowledgement to one player’s delivery today because it deserves it, and it’s neither of those two but a guy who got three assists out of our four goals.
I thought that the man of the match was Tony Ralston. He was brilliant.
At the end of the weekend tacked onto the week when he signed his new contract, he showed us today why he deserved it so. He barely put a foot wrong. He gives us more than just solid defending; he is a weapon going forward, a potent weapon, and will continue to be.
But then, Ange is crafting this whole team into a weapon, one that scores goals and produces blindly football whenever it crosses the half-way line. I have never seen a Celtic side so bristling with intent and danger.
The impression continues to grow of a team settling into a system and a style which will suffer no rival and sweep away all in front of it.
Key to this is the plan the manager has for January and how he intends to make all the pieces fit together. Critical to the whole enterprise is securing Jota on a long-term deal, by paying the £6 million without delay the moment the window is open.
Today was about three points, that above all else. But it was another sign that this manager knows his business and that this team is capable of executing his plan. And what business this is, the business of putting us back on top. And what a plan he has for it.
Backing that plan is the only thing this board should be focussing on right now.
January has assumed momentous proportions, in its own way even bigger than the summer was.
Because if this guy can get the players he wants playing the way he wants … man oh man, what a special time this is going to be.
When Celtic turn it on they look unstoppable and they did it at exactly the right times today. Those two quickfire goals at the start of the 2nd half were glorious.
Watching Tony Ralston put Charlie Adam on his arse then whipping the ball in for Jota to poke it home had me laughing. The fourth goal was even better with some sublime linkup play between Jota and Kyogo.
I think it would be remiss to fail to mention the two Dundee goals, though. Forget the shambolic defending, that’s just Celtic all over the back. What we should be annoyed about is not closing down before the balls are allowed into the box which would prevent our defence been given the opportunity to look like clowns. Both goals against us today are easy prevented. A bit more effort, a bit more aggressive attitude and a harder press.
It will come back to bite us on the arse. Today Celtic were brilliant but there are caveats. This problem has yet to be fixed.
Agree with all of that. I can’t quite believe we’ve got these two forwards at our club but even better would be news of a permanent deal for Jota asap. Tonight wouldn’t be quick enough. Ralston is like a man possessed and aye what a proper looking Charlie he made him look. Central defence is a worry atm. HH
A year from now we will be back to our very best, we see that IS happening in front of our eyes week in week out. In fact this team may well out-do MON’s team, aye, that’s quite a statement, but look at the progress Ange has made thus far, he’s very capable of realising that statement into reality.
Europe will be the real test of their credentials and seeing the team test themselves against the best Europe has to offer.
Aye, we are entering what could prove to be a golden era for Celtic FC.
Hail! Hail!
Onwards and upwards.Only a matter of Time till We Start Doing The Business On a Global Scale.Europe Your on Notice HH
Progressing well at the moment and if we can add more quality come Jan 22 transfer window it will really help. defence still needs attention but as long we score more than other team I can live with that jota is at the momement excellent as is wee gojo but still a long way to go but just keep winning builds great confidence to all the team.
Not having Starfelt was detrimental. It was back to Keystone Kops defending at cross balls. I don’t think it needs strengthening, we have Jullien back after the international break. It needs proper coaching. We know what the problem is. The Celtic board don’t see fit to do anything about it.