Celtic got back to winning ways on Sunday afternoon as they destroyed Barry Robson’s Aberdeen side with a dominant and comprehensive display.
The Hoops could have been four or five goals to the good by half-time, but it was Yang Hyun-jun and Kyogo Furuhashi who had Celtic just the two up heading into the break.
Luis Palma converted from the spot, putting an end to Celtic’s recent penalty woes, and a late flurry, that saw a long-range effort from David Turnbull as well as a brace from substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu, ensured that Celtic ran out 6-0 winners.
Palma in top form
Luis Palma continued his flying start to life at Celtic as he caused all sorts of problems for the Dons defence. His trickery as well as the danger he poses from long-range meant that the opposition was on high alert whenever he was on the ball, but they couldn’t do anything to stop a player who is hitting peak form.
Palma slammed home from the spot in a fashion that made Celtic fans confident that we have finally found our penalty-taker. He also grabbed a hat-trick of assists, including a sensational cross for Oh Hyeon-gyu to head home in the latter stages of the game.
The Honduran is swiftly becoming a fan favourite at Parkhead and looks set to have a massive impact on the team in the coming weeks as he is riding high heading into the international break.
The £25million Jota seemed irreplaceable a few short months ago, but Palma is going some way to softening that blow.
Rotation players take their chance
The team selection presented an exciting opportunity to see two of Celtic’s summer signings in Odin Thiago Holm and Yang Hyun-jun get an opportunity from the offing.
Odin Holm put in a well-rounded performance, linking up well with Celtic’s midfielders as well as contributing both defensively and in attack.
It was Yang Hyun-jun who stole the show, however, as the South Korean winger tore Jack MacKenzie to shreds on multiple occasions. He was energetic and was showing improvements on the ball as he skilfully weaved his way past the Aberdeen backline time and time again. The 21-year-old was rewarded for his efforts as he netted his first ever Celtic goal with a well-taken header.
With jerseys up for grabs following injuries to Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda, Holm and Yang both made a great effort to stake their claim for those positions.
Perfect response to Euro humbling
The big talking point heading into the weekend’s contest was surrounding Celtic’s response to the humbling 6-0 loss in Madrid on Tuesday evening.
But there was no better way to respond to that defeat than by dishing out a 6-0 hammering of their own, and it could have been more than the half-dozen goals they scored.
With the flat atmosphere at Celtic Park, without the Green Brigade and the Bhoys bringing the noise to the game, it so easily could have been a frustrating afternoon had the team not got off to the strongest of starts. The side instead put all the outside factors to the side and provided the best performance of Brendan Rodgers’ second spell in charge.
JAMES MCKENZIE // Follow James HERE
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