Anthony Ralston happy to see Celtic hitting stride after thrashing Dundee
Goalscorer Anthony Ralston felt Celtic had clicked into gear as they thrashed Dundee 6-0.
Ange Postecoglou could not have enjoyed a better first league game at Parkhead as his side demolished Dundee with the kind of attacking football he demands.
Kyogo Furuhashi marked his home debut with a hat-trick, Tom Rogic netted, right-back Ralston scored a penalty-box goal any striker would have been proud of, and substitute Odsonne Edouard converted a late penalty.
After failing to notch a win in his first three matches, Postecoglou has now seen his team score 10 goals in two games and record their first clean sheet of the season.
"Everything clicked into place,'' Ralston said. "We've been working hard in training and analysing a lot on how we want to play. It's just nice to go into a game and put it all together.
"It's important we kick on now and keep playing the right way with intent, as the results will come.
"The clean sheet was pleasing. We defended well as a back four and goalkeeper, but also as a team. The pressing front to back as a unit was brilliant and it's important we keep that going in the future.''
Ralston only played one game last season - when 14 team-mates were self-isolating - but a dearth of alternative right-backs saw him propelled into the first team under Postecoglou.
The 22-year-old is seizing his unexpected opportunity. He was among Celtic's best players in their opening cinch Premiership defeat at Hearts and has now scored two well-taken goals, both with his left foot.
"I never thought my left foot was much use,'' he joked. "I'm delighted to get another goal. The most important thing is contributing to the team. Hopefully I can continue.
"I've just had to stay focused when I've been out of the team and work hard behind the scenes to be as fit as possible, so when the chance came I was able to take it.
"I'm enjoying playing and being in the team. I just need to make sure I keep the right mindset in each game and in training.
"It's a new role for me to play this way but I'm really enjoying it. It's a free role to get inside and get on the ball and be involved.
"I'm just trying to perform the best I can, and doing what the manager is telling me to do.''
Postecoglou hit Dundee with an attacking midfield formation that had Callum McGregor at the base with David Turnbull and Tom Rogic ahead, with Ryan Christie and Liel Abada out wide.
Abada set up the opener and won the penalty while Christie provided three assists including a sublime reverse pass, while Turnbull's passes opened up Dundee for two goals.
"I thought Cal was the key to that,'' Postecoglou said. "He's the one we had at the base of that triangle dictating, and he did a superb job.
"To be fair, the coaching staff, John Kennedy and the other boys, thought it would work having Tommy and David a little higher with Callum at the base, and I thought it worked pretty well.
"They were constantly a threat, David and Tommy. Every time they got on the ball they were threatening, and it allowed our quick guys up front to get into dangerous areas.''