Former Celtic goalkeeper Packie Bonner hailed Celtic’s character after an incredible 6-0 win against Aberdeen ensured the Bhoys stayed eight points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Celtic dominated Aberdeen from start to finish in their biggest win of the season despite the announcement of Daizen Maeda’s injury on Friday.
Hyunjun Yang opened the scoring for Celtic just nine minutes into the game, with Kyogo Furuhashi adding another after 16 minutes. Although they had to wait just over 60 minutes for their third goal, the Bhoys were clearly the dominant side and could have won the game by an even greater margin.
The four goals scored in the later stages of the game were a true reflection of Celtic at their best. The fact that Celtic scored the majority of their goals without Kyogo on the pitch, as he went off injured with a head injury, highlights the character Brendan Rodgers has instilled in this side.
Celtic Park was jubilant after the game in a win that was the perfect way to bounce back from a poor result midweek against Atletico Madrid.
Summer signings Luis Palma and Yang stepped up when it mattered most, solidifying their positions as first-team starters. Injuries to Maeda and Liel Abada provided Palma and Yang the opportunity to showcase their talents after initial slow starts to life at Celtic Park.
Celtic earn pundit praise for win over Aberdeen
Bonner said: [Scottish Football Podcast] “Celtic were very good today. They moved the ball really well, and the wingers were exceptional. Palma, in particular. Obviously, Yang had to go off. They showed the character we hope to see from a Scottish team, especially after the humiliation in Europe themselves losing by six. They can put that down to probably mitigating circumstances. Today there not worried about that and they’re going into the break in a real positive mind. That’s what they wanted today, and it was a great performance.
“Celtic, when they are allowed to play in the way they that played today offensively, they are really, really good. They moved the ball, and they’re all good technical players from the back, right up to the forwards, and they do that exceptionally well. If you allow them to do that, in the way Aberdeen did, they will destroy you.”
Bonner also highlighted the challenges in player recruitment and the need for balance in Celtic’s European endeavours. He also emphasized the impact of the managerial change and the potential requirement for increased investment or exploring new markets to secure the right players.
Bonner said: “When they (Celtic) are going to try to find players that are going to help them in the Champions League, and that could be down to money, it is hard to find those players. Or you develop your own, which is another aspect of it. For them to be successful in Europe, especially in the Champions League, you need players who can dig in when you don’t have that control of the game, and that balance you’ve got to get right. That’s what Brendan Rodgers’ job is going to be in the next year.
“Obviously, the change of manager didn’t help, probably, and they’ve lost a couple of players that maybe gave them a bit of an edge, and they really haven’t been able to replace them. But they’ll have to think about that profile of the player that they are going to bring in if they are going to do something in Europe. That could be down to paying a bit more money than they are actually paying to find them, or they have got to get into a market where they are going to get those players.”
Celtic’s win against Aberdeen laid down a marker and put the rest of the country on notice that they are not going anywhere. Some began to doubt Rodgers after tweaks in the team’s style of play, but the Irishman has a wealth of experience as a manager. His experience in previously managing the Bhoys helps him understand what it takes to progress the team, and given time and money, he will have this Celtic side firing on all fronts.
A disappointing loss to Atletico Madrid does not reflect Celtic regressing, instead it highlights that there is still room for improvement and this will come in time.
Bonner rightly highlighted the need for improvement in the squad, with his analysis spot on that Celtic must either pay more money for players or recruit players from more obscure leagues relying on greater scouting rather than simple name value. Celtic need to find a balance of both.
Not all signings can be projects, and not all signings need to cost tens of millions of pounds. But it is clear that with greater investment in this current team of players and in Rodgers, Celtic could have something special on their hands, particularly in Europe despite a disappointing Champions League campaign.
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