It was a devastating display from the champions as they made four in a row in emphatic fashion
Nicolas Kuhn stormed back onto the goal trail as Celtic clinched the title in swaggering style at Tannadice.
The German struck twice in the opening period and helped create the first of sub Adam Idah’s double as Brendan Rodgers’ side sauntered to glory on Tayside.
With just a point needed against Dundee United to secure the 55th title in their history, Celtic had all three wrapped up by the break.
Ryan Strain’s own goal set them on their way before Player of the Year-elect Daizen Maeda created a couple for Kuhn, who took his tally for the term to 20 with the double.
Idah’s two after the half-time interval iced the cake for the champions as they got to officially again claim the cherished silverware.
The manner of the Tannadice success summed up the season for Celtic. Completely outclassing their rivals and storming to success with lethal conviction.
For Rodgers, it was an 11th trophy in two spells at the club and that could move to a dozen after next month’s Scottish Cup Final against Aberdeen.
And, for James Forrest, the joy of moving into the history books. In clinching his 26th winners medal, the winger, who replaced Kuhn in the second period, stepped out alone ahead of Bobby Lennox as the club’s most-decorated individual.
A magnificent achievement for Forrest over a career. On the day for his team, it was a coast. United were swamped. Picked apart by their powerful opponents, it was a day to forget. They wanted to spoil the party and had the first real shot when Ruari Paton’s effort was saved by Viljami Sinisalo after the Finn’s misdirected kick out had been seized upon.
But any momentum was halted after Celtic fans launched Tangerines onto the park accompanied by a banner which read ‘Enjoy the Fruits of Our Labour’ in their first protest at charges of £42 for some away fans to attend the game.
Celtic were immediately in charge from the resumption and took the lead just after the half hour when Arne Engels’ corner was headed on by Liam Scales.
United defender Strain was battling at the back stick with Jota and knocked the ball beyond his own keeper Jack Walton under the pressure.
It was virtually Jota’s final act as he went off injured to be replaced by Idah soon afterwards, but the champions doubled their advantage before the break through Kuhn.
Sinisalo got it started finding Engels who produced a sweeping pass out to Maeda, who had switched out to the flank, and his delivery was perfect for the German.
Kuhn still had a bit to do, but the finish was sublime as he guided the ball into the roof of the United net to spark the full-scale party in the away end.
The winger wasn’t done for the opening period and, again, he was in the perfect place when Maeda produced another ball from the left.
Idah wasn’t able to connect with the centre, but Kuhn was assured as he stroked into the net for the third.
Within two minutes of the restart, the Irishman did get it right with Kuhn the architect as he played a deft pass into the path of raiding Alistair Johnston.
The Canadian’s delightful dink into the danger area was perfect for Idah to rise and nod into the bottom corner of the net.
Moments later, the second protest over the ticket prices. Balls launched onto the park this time with the message: Stop pricing fans out of football.
Celtic wanted more and Idah got his second of the game just before the hour mark when Callum McGregor’s powerful run straight at the backline ended with a pass into the run of the striker.
The sub was under pressure from his marker, but managed to get a shot off which beat Walton at his near post for a fifth.
Rodgers then made more changes as Forrest went onto the park to ensure he was part of it on the day he made history. He didn’t get the goal to make it 16 seasons in a row, but the latest gong is safely tucked in the bag.
Here’s three talking points from Tayside
Relentless Celtic back on the Tannadice title trail
Celtic have now won four of their 55 top-flight titles at the home ground of Dundee United and added 2025 to previous successes in 1981, 2008 and 2022 with this final push in Tayside. Celtic did the heavy lifting in the opening half of the campaign with their results and performances and this win made it 27 wins in 35 Premiership matches. There has been much debate about the merits of this trumph amongst some observers due to Rangers’ inability to make a challenge, but Celtic have dealt with the stresses on a week-to-week basis and have been in control of it since the opening matches with their relentless work-ethic and mentality. Sometimes they are blistering and, when they are not and don’t hit their heights, they get the job done. Trebles are becoming the norm. But the fact they now stand on the brink of a sixth in nine seasons is, if you take a step back, a remarkable situation. Rodgers’ team didn’t flow the way he wanted for long periods last season when he first returned, but he sorted that his time and they went through the century of Premiership goals for the term. Brilliant.
Kuhn gets his message across
The German had, without a doubt, been magnificent in the opening months of the campaign and a key contributor in Celtic getting into position to win another Treble.
The winger’s goal and assist rate was outstanding before drying up after the turn of the year. Kuhn had just two goals in his previous 19 games before boarding the bus to Dundee, but it was fitting that he and Maeda would combine to do the damage in the opening period because it was they who have been the biggest attacking weapons. Maeda’s consistency throughout the campaign make him favourite for the Player of the Year Awards, gongs that Kuhn looked likely to collect if the voting had stopped at Christmas. But this was notice that Kuhn still has the lethal touch and his goal celebration after scoring his first suggests he has heard the noise around his form dip. Celtic are likely to get bids for him in the summer and it remains to be seen what happens. Whatever does come next, he’s been vital to this title win.
United can’t be disjointed after hammering
Jim Goodwin’s team have their own targets for the season during this post-split schedule with third-place and European places on the line. The manager has done a brilliant job on this return to the top-flight after last term’s promotion and there’s still lots to play for. Of course, they didn’t want the Celtic party taking place here and they will be hoping the champions keep their feet on the pedal with games against Hibs and Aberdeen still to come. United were swept aside. Like many opponents this term, they found Roidgers’ team lethal and clinical when the opportunities were created. Goodwin’s team kept a clean sheet when Celtic were at the ground in December, but there was more punch to visitors this time and the United boss will not be happy at the concession of so many goals on his own patch. Failure to track runners and not mark properly are things which annoy the boss. It needs to be quickly forgotten because, to be in the top-six at this stage of the season shows the excellent work done by Goodwin and it’s been a rewarding term, regardless of what comes over the final three weeks.
