KYOGO GRABS HAT-TRICK AS CELTIC SMASH IN SIX

The outstanding Kyogo Furuhashi scored a hat-trick as Celtic swept aside Dundee to give manager Ange Postecoglou a rousing first Scottish Premiership victory in front of 24,500 fans.

The Japanese forward pounced twice in the box to finish flowing Celtic attacks before the break, and dinked in his third in the second half before being replaced to a standing ovation.

Tom Rogic had already added Celtic's third, and Anthony Ralston converted a superb fifth goal before Odsonne Edouard scored a sixth from the spot.

It was a tough day at the office for James McPake's Dundee, as they finished with 10 men following Jordan Marshall's foul on Liel Abada, which resulted in a red card and Celtic's penalty.

Despite a difficult start to life in Glasgow, Postecoglou was given a warm reception from those allowed into the stadium as the Australian took charge of his first home league game.

The ire of many of the supporters has been fully focused on those in the boardroom and some protested pre-match, as an early Champions League exit was followed up by defeat by Hearts on the opening week of league action.

But despite the full backing of the supporters, Postecoglou would have known all too well that signs of progress on the pitch were essential to retain their long-term faith, and this rout of Dundee showed the way forward.

Furuhashi was at the heart of it as his energy, movement, and first touch mesmerised the Dundee defenders as well as the crowd. 

The forward ought to have opened the scoring on 10 minutes, but put the ball past a post after a flowing move. But he did not make the same mistake when given another chance, finishing smartly across Adam Legzdins after Liel Abada was set free by David Turnbull to send the ball across goal.

Furuhashi was then lightening quick to peel off his marker as Christie surged down the left, and when the Scotland forward found his team-mate with an inch-perfect cross, he was in the right place to tap home.

Only a goalline clearance from Dundee defender Lee Ashcroft prevented him from completing a first-half hat-trick as his intelligence continued to cause problems.

He was far from the only outstanding performer for Celtic, though, and Turnbull found Christie again to tee up Rogic to fire past Legzdins and kill the game off early in the second period.

And minutes after missing a clear opportunity for his hat-trick, Furuhashi was wheeling away in celebration for a third time as the brilliant Christie slipped the ball through for him to lift the ball into the bottom corner.

Ralston then added to his goal against Hearts - and his rehabilitated reputation - as he touched the ball away from both Dundee centre-backs before sticking the ball into the bottom corner.

And Celtic were not done yet as Abada drove into the box to tease Marshall into bundling him to the deck, which resulted in the Dundee defender's red card, and substitute Edouard firing past Legzdins to cap a slick Celtic display.

The only negative is a potential injury to Edouard, who was seen hobbling off after a post-match warm down.

Man of the match - Kyogo Furuhashi

There were plenty of candidates for Man of the Match, but Furuhashi was a joy to watch and looks like an outstanding signing already

What did we learn?

This was as good as Celtic have played in months. Furuhashi will rightly grab the headlines, but there was so much to like about their play.

Callum McGregor dictated from deep and drove the team forward, providing a calming influence as Celtic continued to play out from the back after a slightly shaky first few minutes when Dundee pressed high.

Christie grabbed three assists, Turnbull's range of passing was outstanding, Abada's directness was a joy, and a rare clean sheet will boost confidence. There will be tougher tests to come, but Postecoglou wanted to "kickstart" Celtic's season, and his team certainly did that.

What they said

That's a question for Odsonne - Postecoglou unsure on Edouard's future

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou: "It was great right from the beginning. There was great intent to put our stamp on the game. The pleasing thing was we didn't let up, right up to the final minute we're trying to score another goal."

What's next?

Celtic host FK Jablonec in the return leg of their Europa League qualifier on Thursday (19:45 BST), followed by a League Cup last-16 tie against Hearts on Sunday (15:00).