Celtic put a spirited Dundee United team to the sword at Tannadice on Saturday, as we overcame what seemed like a very tricky tie in the Premier Sports Cup to advance to the quarter final stage, where we will come up against the Rangers at Ibrox…
Celtic goal celebrations. Dundee Utd v Celtic, Premier Sports Cup, Saturday 15 August. Tannadice. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
There were plenty of talking points after the game, as we build up to the season defining Champions League qualifiers against Austrian champions LASK. The main thing I want to focus on today is that it’s obvious to anyone who has watched our past two games that confidence is high after a great opening to the season.
After putting four past Dundee United at Tannadice, somewhere we struggled badly at last season, the positivity at Celtic seems as high as it’s been in a long time.
Following on from a clinical display against Kilmarnock last week, Celtic once again showed their strength in attack as four different players got on the scoresheet in a match which was a lot tougher than the scoreline suggests.
Celtic goal celebrations. Dundee Utd v Celtic, Premier Sports Cup, Saturday 15 August. Tannadice. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
Not only are the players exuding confidence at the moment, but the fans are on top form too. Who would have thought the club actually bringing in ready made first team players in a timely manner would have such an effect, eh?
As was often mentioned last season, when the fans, players and the club are all singing off the same hymn sheet, Celtic are a force to be reckoned with. A couple more high level players arriving will certainly provide that extra boost for the season to come.
I’ve really enjoyed watching our past two games and it certainly seems that Martin O’Neill and his coaches have implemented a few slight tweaks to our style of play that has led to us being a bit more unpredictable.
Celtic supporters at Tannadice. Dundee Utd v Celtic, Premier Sports Cup, Saturday 15 August. Tannadice. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
This has incidentally helped us look much stronger in an attacking sense, with a lot of balls getting played through the middle as well as out wide.
With so many departing this summer and a good few new players arriving, it’s been great to see that things seem to have gelled pretty quickly.
Sebastian Tounekti celebrates his goal. Dundee Utd v Celtic, Premier Sports Cup, Saturday 15 August. Tannadice. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
Having competition for places is vital in any squad and you can see some players are setting their stall out early to try and cement their place in the starting eleven. Even players who I was starting to lose hope in, such as Sebastien Tounekti, have started the season brightly.
With the much publicised arrival of Ross Grant as set piece coach a fee months ago, it was great to see Auston Trusty open the scoring with a header from a corner on Saturday. Scoring from set pieces is something we have struggled with for a very long time, if Grant’s influence can see us be more threatening from dead ball situations he will be worth his weight in gold.
Soccer Austria ADMIRAL Bundesliga, Matchday 3, August 14, 2026: Linzer ASK LASK vs. SV Oberbank Ried at Raiffeisen Arena, Linz, Austriapictured: the players circle, LASK, team, Admiral Bundesliga, vs. SV Ried, photo credit IMAGO
Austrian champions LASK will be a tough team to beat over two legs, so the fact we are heading in to the tie firing on all cylinders is a huge bonus.
Losing Arne Engels to West Ham and Alistair Johnston to injury is a significant blow to Celtic but hopefully the recent positivity around the club means we will be at it from the first minute in the midweek match.
Austria ADMIRAL Bundesliga 20262027, Matchday 1, July 31, 2026: Linzer ASK LASK vs. Grazer AK 1902 GAK at Raiffeisen Arena, Linz, Austria. Pictured: Goal celebration, goal, Samuel Oluwabukunmi Adeniran, LASK, against GAK. Photo IIMAGO
It’s vital we win at Celtic Park in the first leg. After Saturday I’m feeling a lot more confident than usual heading into these season defining qualifiers. I hope I still feel the same come 10pm on Wednesday night.
Let’s make some Noise for the Bhoys…
COYBIG!
Conall McGinty
HAVE YOUR SAY – Join the Celtic conversation in our comments section below…
Celtic Shorts is the new home for the team from The Celtic Star
NEW BOOK LAUNCH FROM CELTIC STAR BOOKS…Celtic in the Fifties in two volumes, available to pre-order now…
Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr, in two volumes, both published on 4th September 2026 by Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order.
Quick Tip –Add Celticshorts.com as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you’ll notice the difference straight away! – Click HERE….Hail Hail!
Click to join Celtic Pools