Celtic's Dominance Continues with 4-0 Victory at Tannadice

Celtic’s ruthless streak shows no sign of easing. Tannadice felt it. Dundee United certainly did.

Martin O’Neill’s side ripped through the Tangerines again, dishing out a second straight 4-0 beating to stroll into the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals and send a clear message before Wednesday’s Champions League play-off. Free-scoring, relentless, and at times fortunate, the holders barely had to leave third gear to cruise into the last eight.

Player Ratings

Sinisalo riding his luck, but another clean sheet

Viljami Sinisalo – 7

Another game, another shutout for the Finland keeper. That’s two clean sheets in three, but this one came with a hefty slice of fortune. Dundee United hit the woodwork five times and will be wondering how on earth they failed to score. Sinisalo won’t care. He did what he had to, handled cleanly and stayed composed, even if his distribution again looked ropey under pressure.

Makeshift back line stands firm

Colby Donovan – 7

With Alistair Johnston sidelined, Donovan looks set for a serious run at right-back, including this week’s Champions League blockbuster. The 19-year-old didn’t flinch. Solid defensively, sharp on the overlap, and never hiding. The big surprise? Third-choice Anthony Ralston didn’t even make the squad, underlining the faith O’Neill has in the youngster.

Cameron Carter-Vickers – 7

The heartbeat of the back line is thumping again. Fresh from a season-ending Achilles nightmare, Carter-Vickers is growing stronger with every outing. He still looks a yard off in certain one-on-one races, but in the air he was dominant and authoritative. Celtic’s defence has tightened the moment their man mountain returned. Collected the only booking of the night, a small price for the control he brought.

Auston Trusty – 7

Trusty did more than just defend. He broke the deadlock with a superb glancing header from a corner, guiding the ball into the far corner with real precision. The USA World Cup defender looks increasingly comfortable alongside Carter-Vickers, and the pairing has the feel of a settled partnership O’Neill will be loath to tinker with.

Liam Scales – 7

Back from a two-game league ban, the Irishman was asked to plug the gap at left-back with Kieran Tierney kept fresh for LASK. Scales coped well enough, defended his flank and kept things tidy. But his display also underlined the obvious: Celtic lack a natural attacking deputy in that position. Functional rather than flying.

McGregor and Oxlade-Chamberlain pull the strings

Callum McGregor – 7

So much for those who claimed his legs had gone. At 33, the captain is still dictating the tempo, still pulling the strings. McGregor knitted everything together, barely misplacing a pass and constantly offering himself. One lung-bursting surge into the box almost brought a goal for Kasper Hogh. The engine is very much still running.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 7

On his 33rd birthday, Oxlade-Chamberlain finally got his first start of the season and showed there’s plenty left in the tank. The former Liverpool and Arsenal midfielder sprayed clever passes around Tannadice and repeatedly split United’s back line with crisp, threaded balls. He faded after the break, the legs not quite what they once were, but there’s no doubt he can still play a role across this campaign.

Nygren masterclass and Duran dazzles

Benjamin Nygren – 9

Celtic’s new G/A king is on a tear. Three games, three goals, three assists. Nygren was everywhere again. His pinpoint corner set up Trusty’s opener, his composure on the ball created the third for Sebastian Tounekti, and then he crowned a man-of-the-match display by thundering an 18-yard strike into the net to complete the rout. Vision, end product, swagger. He’s started the season on fire.

Camilo Duran – 8

A £6 million signing from Qarabag, and already looking like a bargain. Duran prefers to play through the middle, but on the right wing he was just as devastating. He reacted quickest in the box to slam home his first Celtic goal minutes after Trusty’s opener, capitalising on a loose ball that appeared to brush Hogh’s hand. Tireless running, ferocious work rate, and a constant menace. A real find.

Kasper Hogh – 7

No repeat of his stunning hat-trick at Kilmarnock, but the Dane still put in a shift. Hogh harried defenders, battled for every ball and remained a nuisance all night. He played a key role in two goals – wrestled to the turf in the build-up to Duran’s strike, then held the ball up brilliantly before Nygren slipped in Tounekti. Even without scoring, he influenced the game.

Sebastian Tounekti – 8

A different player from last season’s nearly man. Given a first start with Yang missing, the Tunisian winger lit up the occasion. He twisted United’s defence inside out on a blistering counter, then squeezed a low finish through two defenders and into the bottom corner. Later, he turned provider, feeding Nygren for Celtic’s fourth. Electric, direct, and finally delivering what his talent promised.

Impact from the bench

Mika Baur – 5

The comparisons with Reo Hatate are already swirling. Baur came on and immediately brought energy, dynamism and a creative spark. Early days, but he looks a tailor-made replacement if Hatate moves on.

Dane Murray – 4

Another useful cameo for the academy defender. Replaced Trusty late on and slotted in without fuss, keeping the structure intact as Celtic saw out the game.

Luke McCowan – 4

Fresh from scoring off the bench at Rugby Park, the former Dundee favourite was sent on again, this time to spell standout Nygren. Couldn’t quite repeat the heroics, but added legs and pressing in the final stages.

James Forrest – 4

The evergreen winger replaced Hogh and allowed Duran to shift inside as the lone striker. Used his experience to keep Celtic high up the pitch and see the game out comfortably.

Haissem Hassan – 3

Barely featured in pre-season and it showed. The Egyptian winger looked rusty, short of rhythm, but the Tannadice crowd still gave him a rousing reception when he came on for Tounekti. His sharpness will have to come quickly if he wants a slice of this attacking feast.

Four goals, another statement win, and Celtic rolling ominously towards Europe. If this is them still warming up, what happens when they hit full speed?