After what has felt like an eternity of being in the doldrums, what a welcome reprieve this last week has been as a Celtic supporter. I’m completely aware I’ve been accustomed to unimpeded domestic success for years, and one hellish season does not equal a lifetime, but allow me the myopic self-indulgence, for a wee while.

Even in Neil Lennon’s penultimate season, the warning signs were there, yet they were ignored. The club’s seemingly stubborn refusal to acknowledge those warning signs, let alone implement preventative measures, ensured that we were forced to witness a cataclysmic closed-doors season.

The club and the supporters - at times - were completely at odds with each other. New signings that didn’t work out, for a multitude of reasons. The chaos and uncertainty of Covid-Life. Drab performances and one of our worst periods on the field in our history. It became a predictable yet excruciating experience, to watch the Celts in action, so frequently seeing the team playing without clear instruction or self-belief.

Compare that to Sunday’s demolition of Dundee at Celtic Park, and we’re talking about two different universes. We were served a joyous viewing of free-flowing and exciting football, something we’ve become accustomed to and expectant of, over the years.

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Our play was composed yet confusingly unpredictable, both to those in the stands and the opposition trying to nullify it. We controlled the tempo beautifully, patient in possession and devastating when penetrating at the right moment. We might have seen double figures, on another day.

Ryan Christie was outstanding, with three phenomenal assists and brilliant overall play. I’ve written previously about how visible Ange’s influence is in our style, and you can see the impact that he’s had on Ryan already. Last season, it felt like we saw him shooting every time he got the ball anywhere near the box. Now we’re seeing him thread passes that Zinedine Zidane himself would be proud of.

I’m being hyperbolic and my tongue is firmly in my cheek when comparing Ryan Christie to the iconic Frenchman, however, many Celtic fans would have been happy to see Ryan Christie move on after last season. Fast forward to today, and now even more of us are demanding that the club do all they can to retain his services. That’s a clear indicator of the measurable improvements that we’ve seen already, under the new manager.

One beneficiary of Ryan Christie’s improvement was our Japanese Bhoy, Kyogo. I’ll never claim to speak for the entire Celtic support, but I feel comfortable in saying that we all love him already. A technically fantastic footballer with the work rate to match. The first player to score a hat-trick on his home debut since William Fleming in 1924; he’s on the way to becoming universally adored by the Celtic support. (Credit to @cfcliamk96 on the William Fleming fact).

READ MORE: Kyogo Furuhashi's home debut was a performance for the ages

With those fantastic individual displays and brilliant team performance, we were given our first real indicator that things have changed at Celtic Park. We were even given a glimpse of Callum McGregor’s leadership and level of passion for the club. That mini huddle by the captain after the final whistle sent the fans even further into sheer delight, showing us that the hunger and the fire never went away, and it's back stronger than ever.

The arrival of Joe Hart and James McCarthy showed strong intent from the Celtic board, and will likely have given the team a mental boost, but there’s still work to be done if the manager is to have the best foundation for bringing the league trophy back to Paradise. The strengthening process isn’t over yet, and I hope that the board delivers what’s needed.

Domestic business is now on hold, and we look ahead to Thursday’s European fixture against Czech opponents FK Jablonec. After a long, arduous 15 month absence, Celtic Park will have 60,000 fans in full voice, backing the team from the first whistle to the last. You don’t need to have to be clairvoyant to know that this is a night that will go down in history for every supporter lucky enough to be there.

The boost given by the Celtic support in full voice shouldn't be downplayed, and when they have the ground rocking, the players feed off that energy. The synergy of the players and the support will be massive for us this season and what a welcome boost it is.

There’s a long way to go until the league winner is crowned. There’ll be dips along the road and the team will have their sticky periods, but if Sunday’s performance told us only one thing, it’s that The Bhoys Are Back In Town.