Five changes were made from the side that beat Aberdeen last weekend, but it didn’t look or feel like a different side. Instead, Celtic continued its hunt for an invincible season by demolishing Glasgow rivals Partick Thistle 5-0.
It was all Celtic from the word go, with both James Forrest and Patrick Roberts having their way with Thistle down the flanks. Roberts played a key role in this one early on too.
He set up the opening goal in the 18th minute after beating his defender in the box and drawing a penalty. Striker Leigh Griffiths slotted one home past an outstretched Tomas Cerny. That goal was also No. 100 on the season for Celtic in league play.
Griffiths only seemed to gain more confidence following that spot kick. It showed in a few near misses and in absolutely stunning work to get free and allow midfielder Tom Rogic to slot home the second goal of the match in the 26th minute.
Griffith’s brilliance was only topped by an equally great effort from Roberts in the 41st minute. While Griffiths set others up, Roberts fired perhaps a leading candidate for Goal of the Year (yes we know that has already been voted on in some circles).
The game slowed down a bit as the second half got underway, leading a change up top as Leigh Griffiths was taken off in favor of Scott Sinclair. Kolo Toure also entered the match for Dedryck Boyata in the 62nd minute in the hopes of getting regulars some added rest.
It also meant a change to a 3-man back line and an increased tempo from Celtic. While the scoreline remained 3-0 for much of the second half, it wouldn’t stay that way.
After missing a few sitters early on, Callum McGregor’s attacking effort was rewarded when his rifled shot bounced off the underside of the crossbar and over the goal line in the 82nd minute.
It was the fanciful efforts of Roberts on the edge that continued Celtic’s attacking football to the end. He was dutifully rewarded for the effort with his second goal of the match, stealing a ball out of the back and securing the final goal of the match.
The win puts Celtic just one win from an unbeaten league season. The 5-0 result also puts Celtic one goal from tying and two goals from owning the most goals in a Scottish Premiership season. It also meant 103 points, tying the record perviously held by Celtic. A point on Sunday and the Bhoys will own that record and an unbeaten season as well.
Let’s just say this couldn’t have gone much better. There is literally no pressure on the final match, as the supporters and players can enjoy the atmosphere and get the work done early hopefully.
We’re all about to have a party, and Partick Thistle were just the latest in a long line of opponents beaten in to submission.