Celtic instant analysis as Magic Matt O'Riley notches brace

A clinical double from the captain for the evening Matt O'Riley and counters from Mikey Johnston - who also missed a penalty - and James Forrest saw Celtic run out convincing winners in the first of three matches on their USA tour.

DC United who are currently 11th in the table in the Eastern Conference of the MLS and 25 games into their campaign paid tribute to captain Steve Birnbaum who was replaced immediately after kick-off as he announced his retirement from the game.

Japanese striker Kyogo Furuhashi - who has hammered in four goals in two pre-season matches so far - had the first chance when he volleyed over the crossbar from eight yards out following Luis Palma's cross from the left.

The Honduran winger then tested the DC United goalkeeper Luis Zamudio with a curler from the edge of the area in 19 minutes which the shot-stopper turned round the upright.

It was Celtic who took the lead with 24 minutes on the clock, Kyogo smashed in a header which Zamudio turned onto the post moments before O'Riley was on hand to net from close range after the ball broke to him and he supplied a neat low finish following some decent work from Tomoki Iwata down the right-hand side.

O'Riley doubled Celtic's advantage when he latched onto a rebound after Nicolas Kuhn had set Kyogo racing away in the clear and his attempted dink cannoned back off Zamudio. Still, the Dane was on hand to follow up and expertly volley home.

Scott Bain denied DC United Dominique Badji from pulling one back on 40 minutes for the hosts when he reacted smartly to push the striker's shot which took a massive deflection off defender Stephen Welsh wide of the post.

Before the break young left-back Matthew Anderson smashed in an effort that sailed inches past the post after a move which he started and almost finished.

At the interval, it was the Scottish champions who were deservedly two to the good.

Rodgers then made a raft of changes at the interval as O'Riley notably stayed indoors but despite Kasper Schmeichel joining his new teammates in the USA, it was Finnish goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo who was given the nod to replace Bain for his first outing in Celtic colours.

Substitute Mikey Johnson missed a cinch to make it 3-0 on 49 minutes when Zamudio kept out his six-yard effort but the Republic of Ireland winger really ought to have scored following Odin Thiago Holm's accurate low cutback.

Another second-half substitute James Forrest continued his Celtic renaissance and his low centre was buried by Johnston who atoned for his earlier miss by burying this carbon copy opportunity on 65 minutes.

Four minutes later it was 4-0 as Yang Hyun-Jun laid it on a plate for Forrest to tap into an empty net.

Johnston then failed to notch a double when he fluffed his lines from 12 yards after Celtic were awarded a penalty on 79 minutes.

The stuttering run-up failed to fool Zamuduo who dived to his left to turn the winger's low spot-kick round the post. The wide man should have had a hat-trick on the night.

Yang also passed up on a glorious chance to make it 5-0 when he missed a one-on-one with a weak finish that was easily saved by Zamudio.

It was an excellent build-up for Celtic who continued their preparations for the big Scottish Premiership kick-off against Kilmarnock on Sunday, August 4.

Are we witnessing the beginning of the end at Celtic for wanted man Matt O'Riley?

Are Celtic living on borrowed time when it comes to Matt O'Riley? The 23-year-old enjoyed his best season in terms of output in the last campaign posting an impressive 18 goals and 13 assists in the league. He took his pre-season tally to three in three matches as he bagged a superb brace against the MLS side. The Danish international midfielder is now a wanted man and Serie A trio Inter Milan, Atalanta, and Juventus have all been credited with interest with the Europa League winners already having a cheeky bid of £15 million knocked back. Alongside Spanish La Liga outfit Atletico Madrid and English Premier League side Liverpool, clubs are starting to form an orderly queue for O'Riley's services. Rodgers has taken a firm line and stance by insisting Celtic do not need to sell their prized asset and that he won't be losing sleep over it there are plenty of supporters who will be. O'Riley has been the consummate professional and he demonstrated why he is a man in demand. He produced a clinical and confident brace against DC United. O'Riley is a baller and he is well worth Celtic £30 million plus evaluation of him. It remains to be seen if any of the clubs are willing to stump up such an excessive fee for a player plying his trade in the Scottish Premiership. Celtic and Rodgers will be desperate to keep a hold of O'Riley. With Kapser Hjulmand stepping down as Denmark's national manager last week it seems to be a matter of time before he becomes a regular at the international level too. The vultures are circling at club level and Celtic and their supporters just need to enjoy him while they still can.

Matthew Anderson made the most of his chance to impress Rodgers

The young 20-year-old left-back was fresh from a superb season on loan at associate club Admira Wacker in Austria. The loan spell playing regular first-team football has done Anderson the world of good. He was named Admira Wacker's player of the year and he was eager to impress his boss and he did just that. He caught the eye with an accomplished display. He was positive throughout the game and he was unlucky not to add a third in a move that he started and was inches away from supplying the clinical finish. Anderson looked very capable and he certainly made the most of the opportunity that was handed to him by Rodgers. Anderson showed a willing as well as tremendous attitude and application and if this was a chance to stake a regular claim to challenge Greg Taylor for the left-back berth then he did his cause no harm at all. Rodgers will be absolutely delighted with the way the young pretender went about his business as he was excellent. Given the lack of options at the left-back berth then Anderson certainly gave Rodgers food for thought. What is apparent is that a year after Celtic’s link-up with Admira Wacker the partnership is already showing signs of having the desired effect. It will be up to Rodgers what happens next with Anderson in terms of going out for another loan spell or being deemed good enough to make an impact at first-team level.

No Kasper Schmeichel but a debut for Finnish goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo as he takes his Celtic bow

Kasper Schmeichel joined his new teammates Stateside but there was no outing for him and the spotlight fell on Sinisalo who replaced Bain at the interval. The shot-stopper didn't have much to do but having signed a five-year deal it was an early opportunity to showcase his talents as well as get to know his new teammates. Sinisalo has been viewed as a succession planning signing with the goalkeeper signed from Aston Villa for £1 million and he was brought into the club to provide backup and stiff competition to his one-time goalkeeping idol Schmeichel as well as to keep the 37-year-old on his toes. As Sinisalo stated: "Listen, I’m here to win as much as I can. I’ve said that before. I want to play. I want to be Celtic’s No.1 and that’s what we’re here for. There is a long-term plan. I signed a five-year contract and I’ll do my best to make sure I’m Celtic’s No.1 as soon as I can. That’s my goal. I want to play at Celtic Park every weekend and in Europe. If that takes six months, a year or two years, I’ll be ready for that moment. Kasper’s someone I’ve looked up to massively. I’ve based my goalkeeping style on him.” The former Ayr United and Exeter City No.1 showed that he was very capable with his feet and his distribution from the back was well on point.

James Forrest's career renaissance shows no sign of slowing down

There is a reason why James Forrest was labelled Celtic's best winger by Rodgers. That is because he is. The 32-year-old veteran wide man was unplayable in the last quarter of the domestic campaign as Celtic swept to a Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup double. He was at it again in pre-season as he came on in this one and impressed superbly. He laid on a goal for Mikey Johnston and bagged the fourth goal as he showed that his appetite for first-team football was as keen as ever. Every young Celtic player should look up to Forrest as he reeks of pure professionalism. He will continue to make an impact in the Celtic first-team at this rate. Forrest certainly put his Euro disappointment behind him when he saw no minutes during the summer competition for Steve Clarke's side. As long as the body is willing then Forrest will still have a valid contribution to make in a green and white jersey. More power to Forrest. Take a bow, fella. Take a bow.

The good, the bad and the ugly from Mikey Johnston

The Republic of Ireland winger should have notched a hat-trick on the night. He scored one and missed a similar opportunity when it looked easier to bury the chance. He also spurned a late penalty to make it 5-0 with a nonchalant stuttered run-up which only ever looks good when they are tucked away. What is with Celtic players who cannot score penalties as Johnton joined an ever-burgeoning list? He may have impressed on loan at WBA last season but he still has some work to do to convince Rodgers and the Celtic supporters that he is worthy of a regular first-team gig. The 25-year-old still flatters to deceive a lot and his display was microcosmic of his Celtic career. The good, the bad and the ugly probably sums it up best.