Celtic Instant Analysis as Rodgers' side tear Chelsea apart

First-half goals from man-of-the-moment Matt O'Riley and Kyogo Furuhashi's sixth goal of a wonderful pre-season campaign as well as second-half counters from Luis Palma and Mikey Johnston counter saw Brendan Rodgers' side make it three wins from three on their pre-season tour of the USA.

Just as they did against Manchester City, last season's Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup winners put Enzo Maresca's men to the sword with most of the damage being inflicted in the opening period. O'Riley - who has been the subject of three failed bids from Serie A side Atalanta - got the ball rolling in this one as he curled a magnificent strike home in 19 minutes for his third pre-season goal so far.

Danish international goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel who was making his second appearance in a Celtic shirt was instrumental in keeping Chelsea at bay with a string of early saves from Christopher Nkunku and Carney Chukwuemeka. Although Rodgers' men were playing with panache and flair with O'Riley and a revitalised Reo Hatate pulling the strings in midfield. It was no surprise when Celtic doubled their lead on 33 minutes. O'Riley turned provider this time as he fired a low accurate centre across the face of the goal and Kyogo was on hand for a tap-in to make it 2-0.

Celtic created a whole host of chances in the opening period but they were all passed up. It was Schmeichel who kept up his personal vendetta against the Blues when he thwarted Raheem Sterling on more than one occasion from reducing the arrears. It was Luis Palma who put the seal on a superb win when he showed great composure and nifty footwork to make it 3-0 with 77 minutes on the clock and Mikey Johnston completed the rout when he ran through and toe-poked home two minutes later.

Colby Donovan upended Sterling in the box on 88 minutes and Nkunku sent substitute goalkeeper Viljami Sinsalo the wrong way from the resultant penalty for no more than a consolation for the London outfit.

Rodgers made numerous changes in the searing Indiana heat but Celtic were well worthy of their victory which kept up their magnificent 100 per cent record on tour. It all starts for real again next Sunday for Rodgers and his men when Kilmarnock are the visitors to Celtic Park on flag day. However, Rodgers will feel that Celtic got exactly what they wanted from the Stateside tour which has proven to be a very worthwhile and morale-boosting exercise.

Kasper Schmeichel is making himself at home as part of The Celtic Family

The 37-year-old Danish international was welcomed to 'The Celtic Family' by Brendan Rodgers. He already has his feet under the table and looks as if he has been the Celtic goalkeeper for years. He is a tremendous shot-stopper and just looks every inch a class act and comfortable in everything that he does. He is a generational talent. He is a massive presence on the pitch and Rodgers knew what he was doing when he recruited the No.1. Even two games into his Celtic career he is the ideal replacement for Joe Hart. Schmeichel is going to become a favourite son very quickly at this rate. Early on he saved excellently from Christopher Nkunku before he denied Carney Chukwuemeka with another reflex stop with his foot. He made numerous saves in the second half from Raheem Sterling and he hates conceding goals. Time will tell if Schmeichel is an upgrade on Joe Hart but the Celtic supporters seem to think so and have already made up their mind on that front. Here's a hot take or is it? Get your money on Schmeichel being on the shortlist for the 2024/25 Scottish Player of the Year. He is a rock-solid signing.

His name is Reo (Hatate) and he dances on the turf.

Reo Hatate missed the equivalent of a full season in the last campaign but my goodness the boy can play. Hatate is a baller. Positionally he was exquisite against Chelsea and he looked sharp throughout the match. The Japanese midfielder was inventive against Manchester City and set up Nicolas Kuhn excellently for his second goal. Hatate picked up from where he left with a starring role against Chelsea. He was constantly breaking the lines and his passing was on point. He has clearly listened to his manager who dug him out at one stage last season for giving the ball away too much. Not this season is the instructions. The duo were caught on social media in dialogue as they emerged from the tunnel at half-time against Manchester City. Rodgers knows he has a quality player at his disposal. If Rodgers can nurture that talent then he will undoubtedly raise Hatate's levels. The manager will be crucial to the playmaker's development moving forward. Hatate may well still want to test himself in another league but he will have to earn that move. He has taken the first step by opening his ears and listening to his manager and is definitely buying what the Irishman is selling. Rodgers will undoubtedly take Hatate to where he wants to go in his career. A fit Hatate will be a boon to Rodgers this season. The Celtic supporters could well be witnessing something special...again!

Matt O'Riley is going to break the Celtic supporters' hearts, isn't he?

The Danish midfielder is quite simply sensational and at the top of his game. Atalanta can lowball all they want. Celtic are right not to do business as O'Riley is worth £30 million plus. He is that good. The silky and elegant midfielder scored the third of a highly successful Stateside tour when he opened the scoring against Chelsea as he expertly curled the ball into the net in 19 minutes. It was nonchalant and it was a case of O'Riley what O'Riley does best. Alongside Hatate, the 23-year-old dictated the tempo of the opening period in searing heat in the Notre Dame Stadium. O'Riley then turned provider for Kyogo Furuhashi as he brilliantly set the Japanese striker up for his sixth goal of pre-season so far as he tapped to double Celtic's lead after 33 minutes. Celtic should really look at bursting the bank to keep O'Riley for one more season. He is pivotal to how Rodgers' Celtic team functions. O'Riley is reaching the peak of his powers. Whilst Celtic are under no pressure to sell their prized asset it won't stop the constant speculation and rumour mill going into overdrive. As Rodgers said: "It's a very difficult club to move on from but naturally with the wages on offer for players, that makes it a real challenge for Celtic to compete at that level." He remains a joy to watch. O'Riley will depart Glasgow's east end one day. When he does there will be weeping, wailing and a gnashing of teeth from those of a green and white persuasion. Strap yourself in as O'Riley is going to be a heartbreaker. Although O'Riley is going to the very top levels of the game.

Brendan Rodgers' Celtic template is built on three P's - pace, power and penetration.

What a fantastic Stateside tour for Celtic. Three games. Three wins and 12 goals were scored in the process against quality opposition. Two morale-boosting victories against English Premier League opposition in the shape of Manchester City and Chelsea have set Celtic up superbly well for next weekend's 2024/25 curtain raiser against Kilmarnock on flag day. Rodgers revealed that he and his coaching staff have been busy focusing on improving his team 'physically, tactically and technically'. It is evident. The players have bought into their manager big time. There's a swagger about Celtic now. They are menacing going forward. They are coping with the opposition's high press. They are finding the spare man with ease. They are attacking with pace, power and penetration. That is Rodgers' prototype 'Celtic Way' of playing. They are not a million off it but they can and will get better. There is no substitute for experience and Rodgers is the best asset that Celtic have going for them at this moment in time. Celtic are lucky to have an elite-level manager in Rodgers. He is elite-level, let nobody tell you any different. Knowing Rodgers he will be looking to go one better than last season's League and Scottish Cup double. The rest of Scottish football has been put on early notice. If the Celtic board gives the manager what he wants in terms of quality additions before the end of August, then the Irishman could take the club to the fabled next level, especially in the Champions League. It is Rodgers' vaulting ambition to make Celtic a name to be feared once again on the European scene. The Celtic supporters have every right to be excited for what lies ahead under Rodgers. The future is bright. The future is green and white.