Unrecognisable Celtic Take Down Dundee United

Celtic have won all 11 games since they were easily turned over 2-0 by Dundee United back in mid-March. This run allowed them to claim last season's Premiership title, the Scottish Cup and start this campaign with a bang. A line in the sand was drawn nearly five months ago.

The defeat by United in early spring was played on a pitch akin to Broughty Ferry beach. On a pristine summer surface this time around, Celtic were comfortable 4-0 victors here to progress into the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup.

Celtic are unrecognisable from the flaky, powderpuff side of before. They now carry an arsenal capable of gunning down Scottish opposition with relative ease and will train their sights on LASK in the Champions League play-off on Wednesday. That is why the guts of £25 million has been spent on four new recruits over the past few weeks.

Progressing to the latter stages of a domestic cup competition should be a near-certainty given the purchases; the wallet has been opened for continental assignments. Two of the new boys started in Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran, while this week's signings - winger Haissem Hassan and midfielder Mika Baur - appeared as second-half substitutes.

The day belonged to Benjamin Nygren, however, who revelled in the No 10 role, scoring one goal and having a hand in two others. Celtic put their shooting boots on last weekend at Rugby Park against Kilmarnock while manager Martin O'Neill recovered from a "small procedure" and were 3-0 up by the interval.

With the 74-year-old back in the dugout, this win was sparked by two goals between the 22nd and 24th minutes, giving last season's runners-up the leg-up they required. It was a strange old afternoon for United, who were without coveted star player Will Ferry due to a knock picked up in training.

Despite his absence, they created good chances, hitting the post and bar five times. At the other end, they had no answer to Celtic's front line, and for the second match in a row they shipped four goals. A defensive reset is required ahead of next weekend's Dundee derby.

The start of the match was competitive and United, who held Rangers to a 1-1 draw at home a fortnight ago, made life uncomfortable for the visitors with a high press and tenacious midfield play. Manager Jim Goodwin will lament his team's decisive three-minute period.

The woodwork was struck twice in quick succession, first on 12 minutes when Julius Eskesen's grubber kick bounced off the post, and then on 15 minutes after Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo's errant ball out led to Emmanuel Agyei curling an effort off the same obstacle.

Celtic took heed of the warning and moved ahead on 22 minutes. The goal was simple. Nygren put in an inswinging corner and Auston Trusty rushed to the near post ahead of Zac Sapsford and flicked it into the far corner of the net.

The second goal had a whiff of contention about it. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain powered into the penalty area and squared the ball to Hogh, who tumbled under the attentions of Bert Esselink. The ball hit his arm and went into the path of Duran, who scooped it beyond a helpless Jack Walton. A VAR check decreed the handball incident not to be actionable.

Hogh blazed over from the edge of the box, but the damage was done. Celtic were 2-0 up and United's hopes of a comeback were all but extinguished. The match was a testament to Celtic's newfound strength and resilience, and a reminder that they are a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League.

As they prepare to face LASK in the Champions League play-off, Celtic will be looking to build on this momentum and continue their winning streak. With a strong squad and a determined manager, they are well-equipped to take on the best teams in Europe.

League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 1st in Premier League, 85 pts, 26W-7D-5L from 38 games, recent form WWWWW. Goals this season: 71 scored, 27 conceded (+44 goal difference). Lead at the top: 7 points clear of Manchester City. Last result: Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal (2026-05-24). Recent form (last 5): 5W-0D-0L (WWWWW, most recent first); on a 5-game winning run. Next fixture: vs Hull City (at home, 2026-11-07).