Celtic turned on the style, in periods, during their 3-1 home victory over Kilmarnock to go seven points clear at the top of the SPFL Premiership.
It wasn’t so long ago that the hoops laboured to a 0-0 home draw with St Johnstone but with 22 points out of 24 that result is the outlier in a near flawless defence of the title won under Ange Postecoglou.
From the fifth minute when Kyogo Furuhashi had a ‘goal’ correctly disallowed for offside there was an energy and purpose about the way Celtic played that isn’t always there after a midweek European performance.
Cameron Carter-Vickers returned to central defence, getting 60 minutes of match-time towards full fitness.
It has to be remembered that the former Spurs man hasn’t played regularly since April when he was nursing a knee injury towards surgery with the issue probably going back to the turn of the year.
Kyle Vassell’s physical challenge was exactly what Carter-Vickers needed before a fortnight break is followed by Hearts, Atletico Madrid and Hibs over a seven day spell.
The main activity was at the other end of the park with Celtic’s two first half goalscorers the main sources of creativity.
Reo Hatate’s season has been a slow burner but worth the wait. His close control to beat David Watson twice in the build up was only matched by his composure in finding the net from the edge of the penalty area to open the scoring.
Luis Palma’s week was summed up in yesterday’s goal, showing an opportunist touch to net from 22 yards out, celebrating then suffering another VAR review before being able to fully celebrate his first goal at Celtic Park.
The second half really should have provided more in the way of goals, things aren’t yet fully clicking in the final third of the park but they are moving in the right direction.
Corner kicks have been a source of frustration this season but in the 82nd minute Greg Taylor showed a poacher’s instinct to be in the right place to net after a Matt O’Riley delivery from the Celtic left was flicked on at the front post.
Coming out of the October international break the Celtic squad will be noticably strengthened, if they can take full points from Hearts and Hibs away the position on the SPFL will be looking incredibly strong.
