Camilo Duran made it six goals in seven games for Celtic as Martin O’Neill’s side continued their unbeaten start to their domestic campaign with a comfortable Scottish Premiership victory at home to Aberdeen.
After a nervy end to proceedings against Falkirk at the weekend, Celtic’s three first half goals ensured they were well on their way to three points after 45 minutes against their abject visitors.
Duran got Celtic up and running with a wonderful strike from the edge of the box which cannoned off the underside of the crossbar and into the back of the net.
Haissem Hassan, who had been firing in crosses for most of the first half, skipped past Lewis Mayo and sent another delivery towards the back post.
Duran appeared to get a touch on the ball and help it on to the onrushing Benjamin Nygren, whose low shot bobbled into the back of the net.
Aberdeen finally had a chance to pull one back as Gavin Molloy smashed a header off the Celtic crossbar but, 26 seconds later, Celtic had a third.
The ball was cleared and the hosts raced up the other end before a perfectly weighted pass from Duran played in Yang Hyun-jun and the winger finished coolly into the bottom left corner of Marius Muller’s goal.
Celtic remain top of the table with four wins from four while Aberdeen remain in the lower reaches of the division.
Celtic analysis: Has Duran become undroppable?
When Celtic added both Duran and Kasper Hogh in the summer, there were plenty of questions as to how Martin O’Neill would utilise two strikers.
Both scored goals for fun at their respective clubs last season, including in the Champions League, and both prefer to play through the middle.
Since their arrivals, Hogh has been deployed centrally with Duran pushed out on the right but, in light of the former’s injury, Duran has been used through the middle. And, boy, has he given O’Neill something to think about when Hogh returns.
That’s now six goals in seven games for the Colombian who, alongside his goal on Wednesday, added another assist to his tally for eight goal involvements in seven competitive games.
Against Aberdeen, Duran had six shots, four on target and five inside the box, along with eight touches. He also generated an xG (expected goals) of 0.62.
Even if Hogh is fit for Saturday’s trip to St Mirren, it feels like Duran has made a real claim to keep his spot up top.
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