The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Rampant Celtic just too good for Dark Blues
DUNDEE: Hartley hails ‘top quality’ display from the league leaders
Dundee boss Paul Hartley conceded that his players were swept aside by “rampant” Celtic last night.
The Hoops won 5-0 thanks to goals from Leigh Griffiths, Scott Brown, Kris Commons, James Forrest and Nir Bitton to put themselves on the brink of the Premiership title.
All eyes will be on Tannadice today to see if Dundee United can help them clinch the championship when the Tangerines play second- placed Aberdeen, who now sit 11 points behind the Hoops.
The disappointed Dark Blues manager said: “We came up against a rampant Celtic team that were on top form. “They were far too good for us. “We were up against top quality tonight.”
HARTLEY HAILS CELTIC:
“They had good pace, movement, added Hartley
“We have to hold our hands up and say we were beaten by a class team tonight.
“Celtic have gotten better and better as the season has gone on.
“You are always looking at the clock when you come here and we got 30 minutes in and thought we were doing OK.
“But the first goal is always important and we should have done better in defending the cross.
“You try to stay in the game for as long as you can but you defend, get deeper and you can’t get out. There is no outlet.”
A well satisfied Celtic manager Ronny Deila will be back in his Norwegian homeland when the United v Dons game takes place but he will be staying in touch with events at Tannadice.
He was thrilled with the way his players bossed Dundee, saying: “We were patient, hardly conceded a chance and scored five beautiful goals.
“We scored in different ways so we are very happy.
“I think we have shown consistency since Christmas and had many good performances.
“We will see tomorrow if Dundee United can take the points off Aberdeen but if not we will do everything to show we are the champions the next weekend.”
Celtic next visit nearest rivals Aberdeen a week tomorrow.