Celtic hit Dundee with a second-half three-goal blitz to move two points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership table after a 3-0 victory. Three second-half goals from David Turnbull, Kyogo Furihashi and Matt O'Riley were enough to hand the champions all three points at Parkhead.

Brendan Rodgers handed a debut to on-loan Liverpool central defender Nat Phillips with Korean wide man Yang being handed his first start for the champions.

It was a frustrating opening period for Celtic as Matt O'Riley slammed a deflected effort off the post. Daizen Maeda then smashed the ball straight at Dundee goalkeeper Trevor Carson and then VAR denied the Japanese attacker the breakthrough when he drilled the ball into the net but the celebrations were cut short as it was deemed offside.

Joe Hart was then called into action in the latter stages of the first half when he spread himself to block Luke McCowan's strike from point-blank range.

Phillips made way for Gustaf Lagerbielke at the interval as the moans and groans continued as Kyogo skied one over the top immediately after the restart.

However, it was VAR who intervened in the 51st minute as Celtic were awarded a penalty kick after David Turnbull was fouled in the box. Referee Grant Irvine had initially given a free-kick just outside the box but VAR overturned the decision and Turnbull stepped up to smash the ball home to make it 1-0 to the hosts.

Kyogo then made the points safe when he superbly headed home into the top corner on 63 minutes after Callum McGregor's exquisite set-up to notch his fourth of the campaign and number 58 and counting in Celtic colours.

It was game over four minutes later when Kyogo turned provider as he laid the ball into the path of O'Riley who steered a low drive into the bottom corner.

The league win was the perfect tonic for Celtic who now travel to Holland to take on Feyenoord in the De Kuip Stadium as their Champions League group stage kicks off in earnest on Tuesday night.

Magical Maeda

The Japanese winger really looked in the mood from the off and he was the standout Celtic player in the opening 45 minutes. His final ball into the box still needs some work but he was a constant thorn in the flesh of Dundee full-back Cammy Kerr. Maeda hammered an early effort down the throat of Dundee goalkeeper Carson and was then robbed of the first goal of the contest when VAR deemed him offside after he showed tremendous close control to pluck Liam Scales lofted ball out the air and fire home from the angle. If Celtic were to make the breakthrough it seemed more likely that it would come from the threat of Maeda as he put in another fine performance following on from a fantastic shift at Ibrox. He looked just as lively when he switched to the right flank as Honduran winger Luis Palma took his bow.

Tony Haggerty

 

Back to business for Hatate

It was the first game back for the dynamic midfielder, who returned to the team following a spell on the sidelines. Despite the fact that Turnbull won and then converted the penalty, it was another uninspiring appearance from the midfielder. He was brought off midway into the second half for Hatate, and what a difference that substitution made to proceedings. It is no secret that the Japan international’s ability and guile on the ball have been missed over the past month, so to see him back was a big boost for all concerned. Instantly, Hatate looked to get on the ball and make things happen, whether that be by moving into space or by passing to his teammates. With fresh reports circulating over the last 24 hours regarding a contract renewal, it would be a further boost to see Celtic’s number 41 agree to extended terms in the near future. Much like a few players today, not everything came off for him, but the fact that he wanted to make things happen offers Rodgers another weapon to use at his disposal. Hopefully, this game spells the last time that Hatate starts from the bench, as he is simply too good to be there in all honesty. With the midfield looking a lot busier than a few weeks ago, it will be up to Hatate - or whoever plays - to make that position their own. My money is on Hatate to fully cement that spot over the course of the season, as he has done so well in the past.

Ryan McGinlay 

READ MORE: Reo Hatate Celtic contract talks 'finally underway'

A mixed bag for Yang on his first Celtic start

The Korean winger was handed a first Celtic start in the absence of injured Israeli internationalist Liel Abada. The 21-year-old floated in and out of proceedings. He drove a low effort into the side netting and also found his marker Owen Beck a tough nut to crack as the Welshman marshalled him well and was diligent against him. Whilst Yang showed some decent skills on the flank and he looks to possess a bag of tricks and really really quick feet he is probably still adjusting to his new Scottish football surroundings. It was no surprise when he finally made way for Palma just before the hour mark. He will hope to make even more of an impact if he is handed minutes in Holland in midweek.

Tony Haggerty

Phillips’ pleasing cameo

Today’s match marked the on-loan Liverpool defender’s first appearance for the club. Somewhat surprisingly, he partnered Liam Scales instead of Gustaf Lagerbielke, who had to settle for a place on the Celtic bench. What stood out instantly was how imposing the Englishman looked on the pitch. His tall frame and broad shoulders will surely be an asset to Celtic on both ends of the pitch in each box. He had an effective - if slightly uneventful - 45 minutes, though he was replaced by Lagerbielke at the start of the second half. Surely the emergency centre back - in a position that is ravaged by casualties - isn’t injured already? This could prove problematic if he is with the likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Stephen Welsh and Maik Nawrocki all currently out with injuries. Phillips won every aerial battle he took part in, and always looked to get on the front foot when he was in the park. Some of his passes went awry, but that is to be expected in his first game for his new club. Fingers crossed the defender was taken off as a precaution, as Celtic will need him in the weeks and months ahead. The club cannot seem to catch a break at the minute, with players falling left, right and centre with knocks and injuries. For both player and team, let’s hope that Phillips is fit and back in the Celtic line-up soon, as it will alleviate some of the pressure in key positions at the moment.

Ryan McGinlay

READ MORE: Celtic 3 Dundee 0: Instant reaction to the burning issues

 

Clinical Kyogo nets number 58 for Celtic

Kyogo really is Celtic's talisman. The striker caused everyone inside the stadium's heart to flutter when he went down and left the field nursing his troublesome shoulder injury. However, after a bout of treatment, the Japanese striking hero returned and he made his mark after the break. He hung in the air to bullet a header into the top corner of the net after being brilliantly picked out by McGregor. That made it four goals for the campaign and number 58 for Celtic. Moments later he teed up O'Riley for his counter and it was job done for the champions. The attacker will now hope that he can tick off the last remaining box in his Celtic career which is to net in the Champions League group stage proper. There would be no better place to clock up another Celtic milestone by scoring in the De Kuip on Tuesday night.

Tony Haggerty