Celtic's Dominance Continues with 4-0 Victory at Dundee United

Celtic’s ruthless streak shows no sign of easing. On a cool Tayside night, they ripped Dundee United apart again, another 4-0 at Tannadice, and strolled into the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals with one eye already on Wednesday’s Champions League play-off.

This was controlled, clinical, and at times downright cruel.

Sinisalo living a charmed life

Viljami Sinisalo walked away with a second clean sheet in three games and a tidy 7 out of 10 – but he knows he rode his luck. Dundee United hit the woodwork five times and will head home wondering how on earth they didn’t score. Celtic were repeatedly let off the hook by post and bar, yet from the keeper’s perspective, the only line that matters is another shutout.

The Finland international looks assured with his shot-stopping, less so when the ball is at his feet. His distribution still jars in a side that wants to build from the back.

Donovan steps up as Johnston sits out

With Alistair Johnston injured, the right-back berth is there to be claimed, and Colby Donovan is grabbing at it with intent. The 19-year-old delivered a solid, energetic display on the flank, defending with composure and joining attacks with purpose.

The surprise? Third-choice Anthony Ralston didn’t even make the squad. That omission underlined how much faith Martin O’Neill currently has in the youngster.

CCV and Trusty lock it down

Cameron Carter-Vickers is starting to look like himself again. After that brutal Achilles injury ended last season, he’s still a yard short in certain one-on-one races, but in the air he remains a fortress. His presence alone tightens Celtic’s back line, and he picked up the only booking of the night as he threw himself into the contest.

Alongside him, Auston Trusty did more than just defend. He broke the deadlock with a superb glancing header from a corner early in the first half, setting the tone. The USA World Cup defender looks increasingly comfortable next to CCV. This pairing feels settled, and O’Neill will be in no rush to disrupt it with bigger tests looming.

Scales back, Tierney rested

Liam Scales returned from his two-game league suspension and slotted in at left-back with Kieran Tierney kept fresh for LASK. The Irishman did his job defensively and rarely looked troubled, but his limitations going forward were obvious. Celtic still lack a natural attacking deputy on that side; Scales is a stopper filling a full-back’s jersey.

McGregor still running the show

Callum McGregor was supposed to be slowing down at 33. He’s not. The captain dictated the tempo again, knitting Celtic’s play together and rarely misplacing a pass. He even produced a trademark lung-bursting surge into the box to find Kasper Hogh, a move that came close to another goal.

This was a reminder: his legs haven’t gone, and neither has his influence.

Oxlade-Chamberlain’s birthday start

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain marked his 33rd birthday with a first start of the season and used it to showcase the quality that once lit up the Premier League. His range of passing stood out. He split United’s lines with clever threaded balls and sprayed diagonals that opened the pitch.

The intensity faded after the interval, but there’s still a player there who can contribute meaningfully across a long campaign.

Nygren, the numbers machine

Benjamin Nygren is on a tear. Three games, three goals, three assists. The “Super Swede” is Celtic’s early-season G/A king and he ran this tie.

His corner delivered Trusty’s opener. Later, he slid a pass into Sebastian Tounekti’s stride for Celtic’s third. Then he decided to join the scoring himself, thundering a drive from 18 yards into the net to complete the rout.

A 9 out of 10 and man of the match. He’s not just in form; he’s setting the standard.

Duran the £6m livewire

On the right, Camilo Duran looked every inch a £6million find. Naturally a striker, he has adapted impressively to a wide role and finally got his first Celtic goal.

He pounced on a loose ball in the box just minutes after Trusty’s opener, though there was a hint of fortune as it appeared to brush Hogh’s hand in the build-up. Once again, his relentless work rate stood out. Duran harries, presses and never stops running. Celtic have unearthed a real gem.

Hogh quiet, but not silent

Kasper Hogh couldn’t replicate last week’s devastating first-half hat-trick at Kilmarnock, but he still caused problems. The Dane battled away up front, constantly occupying defenders and grafting off the ball.

He played a key role in two goals: first, being wrestled to the turf before Duran struck; then holding the ball up intelligently to allow Nygren to feed Tounekti. No goal, but far from an anonymous night.

Tounekti takes his chance

Sebastian Tounekti was one of last season’s frustrations. Not here. Given a first start of the campaign, he sparkled.

His goal was a thing of persistence and skill, twisting United’s defence inside out on a sweeping counter before squeezing his finish through two defenders and into the bottom corner. Later, he turned provider, laying the ball off to Nygren for Celtic’s fourth.

With Yang unavailable, Tounekti didn’t just fill a gap. He made a statement.

Impact from the bench

From the bench, Mika Baur offered a tantalising glimpse. The German midfielder drew instant comparisons to Reo Hatate with his energy, dynamism and creativity, looking like a ready-made replacement if the Japanese star moves on.

Dane Murray stepped in for Trusty and slotted in smoothly at the back, another composed cameo for the academy defender.

Luke McCowan, back on old turf, entered for standout Nygren after scoring off the bench at Rugby Park last week. James Forrest replaced Hogh, allowing Duran to shift into his preferred central role up top.

Haissem Hassan, barely seen in pre-season, got a late run-out. Rust was obvious, but the Egyptian winger still received a rousing welcome as he came on for Tounekti.

Celtic leave Tannadice with another 4-0, momentum building, squad players firing, and a quarter-final place secured. With the Champions League play-off looming, the question now is simple: can they carry this ruthless domestic edge onto Europe’s biggest stage?