Celtic cruised into the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals with a 3-0 win at Tannadice, but chief executive Michael Nicholson faces a critical 48 hours in the transfer market. The Parkhead supremo watched from the director's box as Martin O'Neill's side banished the demons of last season's damaging 2-0 defeat at the same venue.
Transformation in the East End
A £23million attacking overhaul featuring record signing Kasper Hogh, Camilo Duran and Haissem Hassan has transformed the mood around Glasgow's east end. That's the sort of ambition Celtic supporters have been crying out for. While fans have been protesting against the hierarchy with the Not Another Penny campaign, shirts could soon be flying off the shelves if O'Neill's new Bhoys continue hitting the ground running.
But Nicholson still has plenty of work to do in the transfer market. The £22m sale of Arne Engels to West Ham on Saturday night has injected another sizeable wad of cash into Celtic's coffers. With Paulo Bernardo also out the door and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain suspended for the crucial Champions League play-off, O'Neill could really do with another star man in the middle of the park.
Midfield Concerns
The veteran gaffer was caught on the hop after learning Oxlade-Chamberlain would miss the LASK double-header as the 33-year-old serves a surprise three-game suspension dating back to his time at Besiktas in 2023. That leaves O'Neill with a pretty threadbare midfield to choose from against the Austrian champs. He will have his fingers crossed that he can add at least one new face before tomorrow's Euro deadline, with Hadjuk Split star Niko Sigur and Torino's Gvidas Gineitis both in his sights.
It's just as well Celts have prolific playmaker Benjamin Nygren firing on all cylinders. The Super Swede has been linked with a big-money summer exit after netting 21 goals last term. But the bargain £1.7m signing's value will skyrocket even further if he carries on like this. Nygren is the G/A King with three goals and three assists in his opening three games - a sensational return.
Quick-Fire Double
With deadball specialist Engels now gone, there was a vacancy from the corner flag and Nygren duly delivered in his first audition. The Swedish World Cup star whipped in a brilliant delivery early in the first half as Auston Trusty wandered 10 yards towards the front post before flicking a header into the far corner. Two minutes later, the Hoops had doubled their lead, albeit in controversial circumstances, as Duran bundled home from a stramash in the box.
United screamed for a foul but, after a VAR review, ref Steven McLean was given the all-clear to award the goal. It was deemed accidental handball but, even if the strike had been chalked off, the visitors surely would have been awarded a penalty. The quick-fire double was harsh on Jim Goodwin's side, who had twice cracked the post at 0-0. That turned out to be the story of their night as the Tangerines were remarkably denied FIVE times by the woodwork.
Job Done
A comfy 2-0 lead at the break gave Celtic some breathing space but they finally killed the game off when Sebastian Tounekti struck a third. The Tunisian livewire was handed a rare start in injured Yang's absence and grabbed it with both hands. The tricky winger finished off a sweeping counter after great hold-up play from target man Hogh allowed Nygren to release him down the left. Then he turned provider, teeing up Nygren to arrow a left-footed shot from 16 yards into the postage stamp.
The partying away support were also given a first glimpse of Mika Baur and Hassan as the new signings made their debuts from the bench. For Celtic, it was a job emphatically done - and an incredible 12 games won on the bounce since THAT defeat in the Tannadice sandpit last season. United, though, must pick themselves up after suffering back-to-back 4-0 bashings and their first home loss since January.
The Arabs have no time to lick their wounds, with a mouthwatering Dundee derby on the horizon this weekend, when Goodwin will hope to have in-demand Will Ferry back from injury. Celtic could do worse than sign the impressive left-back - who is also wanted by Anderlecht and Blackburn Rovers - as cover for Kieran Tierney ahead of the season-defining clash with LASK. Boss O'Neill is hopeful of bolstering his squad with another couple of players before the 11pm deadline on Tuesday. And all eyes will be on what business Nicholson can get done as Celts look to make amends for last year's £40m own goal.
