Martin O’Neill has hailed Camilo Duran as “a really class player” after the Celtic forward continued his strong start to the season against Aberdeen.

The Colombian was on target again in the Hoops’ 3-0 win at Celtic Park, opening the scoring with a superb left-footed strike from outside the box. It was the goal that settled Celtic down and gave them control before Benjamin Nygren and Hyun-jun Yang added further first-half goals.

Duran has wasted little time making an impact in Glasgow. In seven appearances across all competitions, he has already scored six goals and provided two assists. His Premiership record is just as sharp, with three goals and two assists in four league games.

Asked if he was happy with the Aberdeen performance, O’Neill said: (CelticPlayer), “I was. Camilo set the tone for us, I think perhaps maybe all season he’s done that.

“He’s a really class player, great goal and obviously until you get that goal you just have to be on your guard as much as anything else.”

That sums up what Duran has brought to Celtic so far. He has not just scored goals; he has changed games. Against Aberdeen, his opener came at a point when Celtic had plenty of the ball but still needed something decisive to break the match open.

The 24-year-old has already shown he can play across the front line. He started the season from the right, scored twice in the Champions League qualifier against LASK, then moved into a more central role after Haissem Hassan’s arrival.

That switch has suited him. Duran scored twice as a centre-forward against Falkirk, then followed it with a goal and assist against Aberdeen.

O’Neill clearly trusts him, and with six goals in 580 minutes, Duran is giving Celtic exactly what they needed from a new attacking signing: end product, movement and a bit of quality when games need opened up.