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Sitting second in the table, Celtic proved that they might be the team to beat this season, by winning away to Celbridge 5-0. Good playing conditions and nicely cut grass seemed to suit Celtic's quick passing football.
Missing one of their top scorers for this game, Sean Odusole, Celtic were nevertheless confident. His partner up front James Caffrey who also has seven goals this season started the game strongly and caused a lot of problems to the Celbridge defence. Playing in their familiar formation of 4-2-3-1, Celtic had a lot of the ball in possession. The visitors didn't have to wait long for the first goal, and what a goal it was. Great passing football in the middle of the pitch by Robert Best and Ciaran Murray resulted in a brilliant pass by Ciaran to Klevis Malaj who beat the defender and slotted the ball into the net for a 1-0 lead.
Celtic continued to create chances with Olti Berisha, Ciaran Murray and James Caffrey having their shots either saved by the keeper or missing the target by inches. However, the travelling fans didn't have to wait long for the second goal by this marvellous Celtic team. Robert Best won his tackle in the middle of the pitch but he was fouled just outside the Celbridge box. There was something exciting in the air as Dino Dervisic placed the ball to take the free kick. Known as a free kick specialist, everyone on the visiting line knew there was something special coming. Again, Dino did not disappoint when he smashed the ball into the top right corner with keeper no chance for 2-0.
Tremendous runs by Kacem Touihri on the left flank, supported by Proinsias de Bhatuin at the back kept causing the home team problems. Another piece of magic by man of the match Ciaran Murray set up the chance for Klevis who took it well for 3-0, which was the score at half time.
In the second half, changes were made and decision to give midfield players a rest proved to be vital. Knowing the strength of the squad, the visitors were sure that the same attacking football would be continued. Liam Hosford played some amazing football on the right flank combining with Celtic's trickiest player Alex McCormick. It was Alex who kept playing perfect balls to James Caffrey but it just wasn't to be the big striker's day as the keeper kept saving them. Captain Sam Doherty, solid at the back as usual, decided to make some attacking runs forward. He won the ball in his own half and brought it out to right wing where he found lively Ciaran Murray with his pass. Ciaran crossed the ball to the back post to Klevis Malaj who beautifully took it down on his chest and buried it in the back of the net for 4-0. And yes, it was Klevis’s first hat-trick this season with hopefully many to come yet.
With the game coming to an end, Celtic kept creating chances. James Caffrey exchanged passes with Robert Best and had his shot saved again by the good Celbridge keeper but only for the incoming Craig Hughes who took it perfectly on his sweet left foot for his first of the season, 5-0.
The home team tried to get a consolation goal but fresh legs in Celtic's defence, Hammad Siddiqui and the ever reliable goal keeper Sabin Ghet ensured another clean sheet.
With some tough games coming up in the league, there is no time to waste and Celtic are back training next week to keep improving their flowing attacking football. The Celts are marching on!
