Celtic’s superb 5-1 victory over Aberdeen at Celtic Park tonight has seen them extend their lead at the top of the Premiership to a commanding 16 points ahead of Rangers.
Goals from Daizen Maeda, Jota, Callum McGregor, and Yang Hyun-Jun, alongside a stellar performance from Arne Engels, ensured a resounding win. The match also saw Engels contribute to Jota’s second goal with an assist and be named man of the match for his brilliant display.
Arne Engels: A Well-Deserved Bounce Back
Arne Engels, who had a standout performance after Celtic’s recent setback against Hibernian, expressed his delight at the Hoops’ resilience and strong reaction following the defeat on Saturday. “I’m really happy,” Engels said: (Sky Sports), “The team did really well today. We always bounce back after a defeat, and today was no different. In the first half, we weren’t at our best, but we changed things up and came out stronger in the second half.”
Despite not being at their best, Celtic showed their clinical edge, going 3-0 up in the first half. Engels acknowledged the team’s ability to finish when it mattered, even when things weren’t going exactly to plan. “We were 3-0 up, but everyone in the dressing room knew we hadn’t been at our best. So we made some changes and saw the benefit of playing with more control, creating more chances,” he said.
Jota and Engels: A Dynamic Partnership
When asked about his connection with Jota, Engels was quick to praise his teammate. “It’s always great to play with top players, and Jota is doing brilliantly. He shows it every day and every week,” Engels commented.
Jota also spoke about their link-up in the lead-up to his second goal. “It was just about finding the right guy at the right time,” Jota explained. “Arne was in the perfect position, and I’m happy it ended up in a goal. It’s always nice to score, but what’s more important is the team’s performance and getting the win.”
Staying Focused at the Top
With a comfortable lead in the league, Celtic’s mentality remains focused on continual improvement. Jota summed it up perfectly: “As a Celtic player, we always aim to do better, no matter how big the lead is. We keep pushing and keep improving. We’re not going to take our foot off the pedal.”
Celtic’s clinical performance and determination has set the tone for the second half of the season, and with their lead growing, the Hoops’ ambition for a domestic treble shows no signs of slowing down. The pressure now shifts to Rangers as they face Kilmarnock tomorrow night, with the gap between the two clubs widening further.
Celtic fans will be eager for more of the same as the Hoops prepares for their next challenge against St Mirren on Saturday night.
