Celtic instant analysis as Rodgers men make it sweet sixteen

First-half goals from captain Callum McGregor and Jota had Brendan Rodgers' men 2-0 up and well in command at the interval. 

Republic of Ireland striker Adam Idah smashed home a terrific curled strike for the pick of the bunch to make it No.13 for the season with four minutes left on the clock.

McGregor opened the scoring for the hosts after 23 minutes when Yang found his skipper 25 yards from goal and the former Scotland midfielder drifted into the box before angling a tidy finish into the bottom-right corner of Jack Walton's net.

It was McGregor's eighth campaign goal in all competitions but most notably his first strike from inside the penalty area.

Dundee United fashioned their first opportunity on the half-hour mark when midfielder Allan Campbell surged forward into the penalty area and just failed to connect with a low cross from the left.

McGregor was at the heart of another decent attack for Celtic moments later when he almost grabbed his second of the day. The captain jinked his way around a posse of Dundee United defenders with his right foot but his curling effort whizzed inches past the post.

It was all Celtic and Jeffrey Schlupp rattled the post and Idah slammed a close-range header off Walton's feet and you felt a second goal was coming.

That duly arrived after 35 minutes when Jota picked Auston Trusty's pass and the Portuguese winger cut in from the left and curled an exquisite goal past Walton to grab his second goal for the club since his January return.

It was also his first at Celtic Park and how Jota milked the moment as he performed a knee slide and took the acclaim of his adoring public.

Celtic remained in control throughout the contest and it was Idah who lashed a superb hit into the top corner on 84 minutes.

There was still time for Auston Trusty to smack the outside of the post in added on time.

The latest victory puts Celtic seven wins away from wrapping up their 55th title.

It's full steam ahead now for Celtic as the Scottish champions head to Bavaria to take on Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena in the Champions League playoff second leg trailing 2-1 from the first leg in Glasgow.

A rare Callum McGregor goal from inside the penalty area

'Callum, Callum McGregor, there's no one better', it's a popular ditty sung by the Celtic supporters in homage to their hero.

It was the captain who led by example in this one as he got the champions off the mark with his eighth goal of the season after being played in by Yang.

The skipper drove forward into the heart of the Tangerine defence and angled a low beauty past Walton. He showed great feet to manipulate and shift the ball and his close control was superb as he produced a neat disguised finish.

It was a rare goal from inside the box for the skipper and he almost repeated the feat minutes later but dragged an effort inches wide of the target.

The song lyrics say it all. McGregor is the metronome in the Celtic team. There is no one better.

He's Portuguese and he scores with ease...Jota is back!

Jota scored his first goal at Celtic Park since his dream return to the club in January.

The Portuguese winger cut inside and curled a cracking drive past Walton to make it 2-0 after 35 minutes and Celtic were in cruise control.

Jota is firmly back in the groove and he is such a joy to watch as a footballer. He hogs the left touchline but bursts into life whenever he gets the ball.

He is always positive and looking to create by playing a killer cross or pass as well as drift into goalscoring positions.

The 25-year-old enjoyed the goal as he slid on his knees in front of the Celtic supporters who idolise and adore him.

It was another milestone and emotional moment for the wide man and it was a case of Jota doing Jota things.

There are plenty more where that came from...watch this space.

Jeffrey Schlupp means business and only the post prevented him from opening his Celtic account

The former Leicester City and Crystal Palace utility player played himself right into contention to start against Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night.

If Schlupp continues to perform like this then he could well earn himself a permanent deal at Celtic Park as adequate cover for Kieran Tierney.

The year-old was another one who was positive and played the inverted role cleverly to let Jota have the freedom to roam.

He was always looking for a forward pass and there is a composure about his game which an experienced English Premier League campaigner brings to the party,.

He was also inches away from opening his Celtic account with a trademark thunderous effort which cannoned back off the post. It deserved better.

Schlupp adds a real physical presence to the Celtic side which would not go amiss in Bavaria.

Another one for the Luke McCowan scrapbook. Is a Scotland call-up in the offing?

It was former Dundee assistant Dave Mackay who said these prescient words to The Celtic Way when Luke McCowan signed for Celtic: "I believe it won't be long before Scotland comes calling as he is very good at what he does in that position.

"This is just the tip of the iceberg for Luke as he will get better and better as a player. I am convinced of that." 

Mackay is a good judge. McCowan is relishing and revelling in his role and life as a Celtic player and he is about to reach his peak years.

The 27-year-old midfielder enjoyed another cracking display against Dundee United and he hasn't looked back since putting pen to paper for his boyhood heroes.

Scotland international boss Steve Clarke must have his phasers on stun when it comes to choosing McCowan for his country.

Mackay will rightfully feel vindicated when international honours come McCowan's way which is surely only a matter of time.