Celtic delivered a masterclass performance as they thrashed Dundee 7-1 at home on Wednesday night, but they still trail Rangers by two points in the Scottish Premiership title race.
Carter-Vickers opens the floodgates
The hosts wasted no time in asserting their dominance as defender Cameron Carter-Vickers headed in the opener from a corner in the seventh minute. It was his second goal in as many games, after scoring the winner in the Old Firm derby on Sunday.
Idah, O’Riley and Maeda add to the tally
Celtic’s attacking trio of Adam Idah, Matt O’Riley and Daizen Maeda were unstoppable as they each found the net before the half-hour mark. Idah doubled the lead in the 18th minute with a low shot from the edge of the box, O’Riley made it 3-0 with a curling effort from a similar position four minutes later, and Maeda scored his 10th league goal of the season with a tap-in from a cross by Taylor in the 30th minute.
Taylor and McGregor pile on the misery for Dundee
The visitors had no answer to Celtic’s relentless pressure and conceded two more goals before the interval. Left-back Greg Taylor got on the scoresheet with a powerful strike from inside the area in the 36th minute, and captain Callum McGregor converted a penalty in the sixth minute of added time after Idah was fouled by Lee Ashcroft.
Kelly scores on debut, Mellon grabs consolation
Celtic eased off in the second half, but still managed to score their seventh goal in the 63rd minute. Substitute Daniel Kelly, an 18-year-old academy product, marked his league debut with a superb solo run and finish. Dundee’s misery was compounded by the dismissal of midfielder Finlay Robertson for a second yellow card in the 76th minute. They did manage to score a consolation goal in the 84th minute, when Michael Mellon headed in a cross from Charlie Adam.
Celtic keep up the chase, Dundee in trouble
The result means Celtic have won 10 of their last 11 league games, scoring 37 goals and conceding only six. They remain in second place, two points behind Rangers, who came from behind to beat Kilmarnock 2-1 at Rugby Park. Celtic have 10 games left to try to overhaul their rivals and claim their 10th consecutive title. Dundee, on the other hand, are in sixth place, only four points above the relegation zone. They have lost four of their last five league games, conceding 16 goals and scoring only four.
