THE DEE SPECIALS
Sizzling Hoops run riot with seven goal frenzy at Paradise
CELTIC hit top gear with a 7-1 victory over Dundee following a first-half goal spree at Parkhead.
Cameron Carter-vickers started the rout in the seventh minute and goals from Adam Idah, Matt O’riley and Daizen Maeda had Celtic four up before the half-hour mark.
Greg Taylor and Callum Mcgregor made it six before the break and Daniel Kelly marked his league debut with a brilliantly-taken goal.
Dundee were down to 10 men through Finlay Robertson’s red card when they pulled a goal back from Michael Mellon, although the atmosphere had already lost a bit of an edge following Rangers’ comeback at Kilmarnock.
The Light Blues’ 2-1 victory keeps them two points ahead of Celtic at the top of the cinch Premiership.
However, Celtic have moved back to one behind on goal difference and secured a morale boost with their biggest win of the season.
Dundee twice came close in the first two minutes through Curtis Main and Owen Beck.
Beck had kept Maeda quiet at Dens Park on Boxing Day but Yang Hyun-jun got an early edge when he got past him and drew a foul which earned the on-loan Liverpool leftback a booking.
There was further punishment from O’riley’s free-kick as Carter-vickers rose above Amadou Bakoyoko to head home his first goal of an injury-disrupted season.
The home support were given another boost when news emerged of Kilmarnock’s opener and Idah had them celebrating in the 18th minute with a brilliant header from Alistair Johnston’s cross.
O’riley ran on to Taylor’s perfect cross to head home four minutes later and the midfielder turned provider as his pass found Maeda’s run across the box. The Japan international had plenty to do but a brilliant touch fooled Joe Shaughnessy and he curled into the far corner.
Taylor’s run into the box was rewarded when Johnston’s cross ultimately fell for him as the leftback stroked home from eight yards.
Main had a goal disallowed for offside following a VAR check before Mcgregor drilled home in first half stoppage time.
Half-time substitute Kelly showed composure beyond his 18 years to curl into the top corner from Yang’s low cross to make it seven.
However, it was Dundee who completed the scoring when Mellon volleyed home a cross from fellow substitute Aaron Donnelly.