Celtic 7-1 Dundee: First-half blitz helps Rodgers' side thrash visitors
- Published
Cameron Carter-Vickers sent Celtic on their way to victory with a towering header
Rampant Celtic transported Brendan Rodgers back to his first spell in charge as a stunning first-half display helped them thrash Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.
Rodgers' side looked to be returning to the league's summit after a devastating opening period in which Cameron Carter-Vickers, Adam Idah, Matt O'Riley, Daizen Maeda, Greg Taylor and Callum McGregor all netted.
Celtic eased off somewhat after the break, but 18-year-old substitute Daniel Kelly scored his first senior goal to add further gloss to the scoreline before Michael Mellon scored a late consolation for the visitors after they had Finlay Robertson sent off.
Celtic were on course to reclaim top spot when Kilmarnock led Rangers at the interval, but the Ibrox side fought back to win 2-1 at Rugby Park, keeping Rodgers' side two points adrift in second, while Dundee remain sixth.
"Nights like that take me back to when I was first here - the performance, the intensity and everyone enjoying it," Rodgers said. "We're here to win, but Celtic is about playing football that gets the supporters excited."
Celtic's first-half display against Motherwell on Sunday was well below the levels Rodgers would expect, but they raced out of the blocks here in devastating fashion.
Carter-Vickers has been a big miss through injury at times this season, and made his mark on his return to the side, climbing highest to head home O'Riley's free-kick and open the floodgates.
Idah glanced Alistair Johnston's cross past goalkeeper Trevor Carson to double the lead and O'Riley was then afforded acres of space to cushion a header into the bottom corner and make it three.
Maeda got in on the action, bending a delightful left-footed shot into the far corner after cutting inside as Dundee capitulated at the back.
Things went from bad to worse for the visitors when Taylor ghosted into the box to make it five, and when Curtis Main had a goal ruled out by VAR for offside, you thought it could not get much worse for Dundee.
It did though, as McGregor stroked home a left-footed shot to make it six before the break - the biggest half-time lead in the Scottish top flight for at least 20 years.
The huge lead allowed Rodgers to makes multiple changes, and there was a memorable moment for one of those replacements as teenager Kelly curled a first-time effort into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Robertson was dismissed for a second bookable offence and while Dundee did get on the scoresheet through Mellon, this was an evening to forget for Tony Docherty's side, whose cushion in the top six is now a single point.
Player of the match - Yang Hyun-Jun (Celtic)
Restored to the starting XI, Yang was superb in attack, driving at the Dundee defence at every opportunity, frequently getting into the box, and deservedly grabbing an assist
Celtic up the intensity as Dundee crumble - analysis
Last time out at Fir Park, Celtic were slow, ponderous and struggled to create chances for large periods.
Here, they were the exact opposite. The hosts were direct, intense and looked like scoring every time they went forward in the first half.
It was a performance that will give Rodgers real belief and his players real confidence that they can not only keep pace with Rangers at the top, but retain their Premiership crown.
The return of Carter-Vickers in defence is a huge boost, and in Idah they have a focal point in attack, a player who offers a different threat to Kyogo Furuhashi up front.
For Dundee, they were simply undone far too easily. You cannot concede the type of goals they did in any game, let alone against Celtic.
Celtic had 51 touches in the Dundee box, 13 of which were shots on goal. Docherty will be furious with the time and space the home attackers had for at least three of the seven goals.
However, Dundee are still in the midst of an impressive first season back in the top flight, and remain on course for a top-six finish which would be a magnificent achievement.
What the managers said
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "You can see with players starting to return how that connects everything in the team.
"I thought the level of our football for large parts was really good. We created a lot of opportunities and in the second half we kept pushing, we were creative, and seven different goal-scorers is great. Overall, a great performance and result for us."
Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "Really disappointed. The first three goals are so preventable, and it's something I've not seen in my team all season.
"You don't give a good team like Celtic chances like that. We just need to make sure we're ready for Saturday and get back on it. I back those players 100% because they've given me everything this season.
"There's no time to feel sorry for ourselves. It's important we show that personality so there's a reaction to that disappointment tonight. Celtic were fantastic, but they didn't have to work hard to get their goals."
What's next?
Celtic are away to Hearts on Sunday (12:00 GMT), while Dundee host Kilmarnock the previous day (15:00).