CELTIC cemented their place at the top of the league with a 3-0 win over Dundee on Saturday afternoon.

It was back to back wins for the Bhoys, and, with Motherwell dropping points, Celtic stretch their lead at the top of the table.

Daizen Maeda thought he opened the scoring for the Hoops in the first half, but he was judged to be offside.

celtic top

Three second half goals from Turnbull, O’Riley and Kyogo saw Celtic take the three points.

Here are three things we learned from Celtic’s win.

REO HATATE
Reuters/Carl Recine
  1. Resilient Hart Proves Critics Wrong:
    Goalkeepers often face intense scrutiny, but seasoned shot-stopper Joe Hart has demonstrated why he remains vital to this Celtic side. With the scores deadlocked, he made a pivotal save — using his chest no less — to deny Dundee a chance to take the lead. The importance of such saves in close matches can’t be overstated. Moments like these can be the difference between winning a title or missing out, and Hart’s recent performances suggest he’s regained the form that once saw him regarded as one of England’s top keepers.
  2. The Hatate Difference:
    Injuries can be a blessing in disguise, allowing other players to step up. But Reo Hatate’s influence on this Celtic team was unmistakably evident when he took to the field in the second half. Replacing David Turnbull, Hatate brought an element of cohesion and fluidity to Celtic’s play, suggesting that he’s nearing full match fitness and primed for a starting role. His potential inclusion against Feyenoord could be a game-changer.
  3. Tactical Flexibility Bears Fruit:
    Ange Postecoglou’s inverted full-backs approach from his time in charge was on display again, hinting at Rodgers’ willingness to embrace different strategies. The decision to deploy Taylor and Johnston in such roles was a masterstroke. Particularly noteworthy was the enhanced performance from the left-back position. By adopting this style, Celtic maximised their on-pitch resources, confusing Dundee and ensuring dominance in key areas of the pitch.

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