Celtic held onto their top spot in the Scottish Premiership with a solid 2-0 victory over Dundee at Parkhead. Following a commanding 3-0 win against Motherwell, Brendan Rodgers’ men continued their winning streak, notching their ninth victory in ten league games.
Rodgers fielded a much-changed lineup for this midweek clash but found himself calling upon Alistair Johnston off the bench to break the deadlock. The Canada international, introduced in the 57th minute, wasted no time making an impact, scoring the opener just three minutes later. His goal came as he capitalized on a well-placed delivery from Hyun-jun Yang, slotting the ball into the net with one of his first touches. Johnston’s passing was precise, completing 94% of his attempts and creating a key scoring opportunity for his teammates. However, defensively, he showed a bit of rust, losing all three of his ground duels and being dribbled past twice.
Despite Johnston’s game-changing introduction, the standout performance of the night came from Arne Engels. Returning to the starting lineup after a rest against Motherwell, Engels was instrumental in driving Celtic’s midfield. His involvement in Celtic’s second goal was crucial. A clever through ball from Engels set Kyogo Furuhashi up for a penalty, which Engels confidently converted to double Celtic’s lead.
Beyond the goal involvement, Engels showcased his versatility and tenacity, anchoring the midfield with energy and vision. His performance added an essential layer to Celtic’s play, helping to control the tempo and keep Dundee’s defense under constant pressure. Engels’ ability to link up play and contribute both offensively and defensively made him the heartbeat of the team on the night.
The victory, which keeps Celtic at the league summit on goal difference, reflects the depth Rodgers has at his disposal. Johnston and Engels, two players at different stages in their Celtic careers, stepped up to deliver when needed. Johnston’s attacking prowess and Engels’ midfield mastery ultimately sealed another three points for Celtic, underscoring the squad’s strength and adaptability. With consistent performances like this, Celtic continues to look like a formidable force in the Scottish Premiership, pushing forward with a clear goal of maintaining their dominance in the league.
| Vs Dundee | Arne Engels |
|---|---|
| Touches | 91 |
| Key passes | 4 |
| Big chances created | 1 |
| Duels won | 6 |
| Tackles made | 3 |
| Dribbled past | 0x |
| Stats via Sofascore | |
As seen in the performance analysis, Belgian international Arne Engels was consistently involved both in and out of possession, demonstrating his effectiveness across multiple areas on the pitch. The 21-year-old received a solid 7/10 rating from 67HailHail, a reflection of his impactful display.
Engels showcased creativity and composure, delivering four key passes to help set up potential scoring opportunities for his teammates. Defensively, he was just as dependable, completing three tackles without being dribbled past, making it challenging for Dundee’s players to find a way through. His contributions on both ends of the pitch made him a reliable presence in Celtic’s midfield.
Compared to Alistair Johnston’s strong performance, Engels stood out by maintaining his influence throughout the full 90 minutes, impacting play in every phase. His versatility and stamina allowed him to contribute consistently, marking him as the top performer of the night.
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