CELTIC 3 RANGERS 0
GLASGOW is smiles better with Celtic thrashing Philippe Clement’s Ibrox also-rans in convincing and ruthless fashion at Parkhead this afternoon.
A first-half double from Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi and an absolute screamer from Callum McGregor after the break saw the champions canter to three points.
This was manager Brendan Rodgers’ FIFTEENTH triumph over the Govan club, the team’s fifth successive win over their city foes in Paradise and the Hoops look unstoppable in their quest for a fourth title in a row even this early in the crusade.
It took a controversial offside decision in the 11th minute to kick-start the hosts into action after a high-pressure opening from the visitors.
They chased and harried right from the kick-off in an attempt to hustle the champions out of their stride.
The home side held their concentration and looked to have opened the scoring when Nicolas Kuhn released a perfect pass across the box for Kyogo to tuck behind Jack Butland from close range.
The Hoops players and fans celebrated in unison until VAR official Andrew Dallas interrupted their joy. The eagled-eyed technician spotted a toenail offside and referee John Beaton ruled it out.
Celtic seemed to take the judgement personally. They rolled up their sleeves and decideed no-one was going to spoil their day.
HOOP, HOOP HOORAY…Daizen Maeda is mobbed by delighted team-mates after netting the opening goal in the Glasgow derby at Parkhead.
Maeda netted in the 16th minute and on this occasion there was not a doubt about the validity of the goal that earned the home side a deserved lead.
Kuhn and Paulo Bernardo were involved in a quick passing movement on the right before the Portuguese playmaker, making an admirable job of taking over from Matt O’Riley, sent Johnston scampering into the box.
The Canadian international right-back fired over an inviting low cross and Maeda was lurking eight yards out to strike a shot low past Butland.
A sell-out Parkhead erupted and this time there was no silencing their cheers.
The Hoops took control and Kasper Schmeichel was a spectator as his team-mates dictated the flow of the game.
In the 37th minute, Reo Hatate had a horrendous miss after being set up by Kuhn on the edge of the six-yard box.
The midfielder was totally unmarked and it looked to everyone – including his manager – that he could not fail to double the team’s advantage, but, amazingly, he thumped an effort off target.
Hatate had every right to hold his head in his hands in utter dismay.
HAPPY DAZE…Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates the second goal with Nicolas Kuhn while Paulo Bernardo and Alistair Johnston prepare to join in.
However, his embarrassment was spared three minutes later when his Japanese compatriot Kyogo scored a sensational goal.
Credit must go to Greg Taylor who anticipated and intercepted a ball forward from Connor Barron, delivered a quickfire pass into the tracks of the speedy raider, so often the scourge of the Govan club.
Kyogo raced onto the pass and didn’t hesitate as he swept a low 25-yarder wide of the despairing Butland into his left-hand corner of the net.
Unfortunately, the lightning-swift raider wasn’t quite so clinical in the 59th minute when he was sent clean through with a slide rule pass from Hatate.
The fans were already celebrating as he drew back his foot, but, mindbogglingly, he whipped a shot wide and anything but handsome with just the stranded keeper to beat.
EAR WE GO…Kyogo Furuhashi shows his joy after yet another strike against Rangers.
As expected, £11 million record buy Arne Engels made a debut appearance in the 62nd minute as he replaced Bernardo who had practically run himself to a standstill with an impressive and tireless performance.
The Belgian eased himself into the action, but still managed to pick up a booking courtesy of the fussy Beaton.
Four minutes later, Butland made a smart save at his left-hand post after an effort from Johnston had taken a wicked deflection off Ibrox team-mate Robin Propper.
In the 72nd minute, James Forrest came on to make his 500th Celtic appearance as he replaced Kuhn and three minutes later the place was in joyous bedlam as McGregor rifled in his third memorable goal of the crusade.
Maeda fought and won the ball on the right before knocking it inside to his skipper who, as usual, had been busy right from the kick-off.
McGregor worked his way along about 10 yards outside the box before letting fly with his trusty left foot and Butland was utterly helpless as the ball crashed into the net to his right.
CAPTAIN MARVEL…Callum McGregor shows his joy after thumping in No.3.
That was the signal for Rodgers to send on new Bhoy Luke McCowan and Adam Idah for Hatate and Kyogo who had put in a tremendous shift between them.
In the 78th minute, Schmeichel, who was being watched by his predecessor Joe Hart in the stand, made a first-class block from a first-time eight-yard drive from James Tavernier.
And the Danish keeper produced another fine stop from Ross McAusland as the game headed to an inevitable conclusion.
Paradise rocked as the manager and the players took a bow at the final whistle.
This is Celtic Park as it is meant to be!
TEAM: Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; Bernardo (sub: Engels 62), McGregor, Hatate (sub: McCowan 76); Kuhn (sub: Forrest 72), Kyogo (sub: Idah 76), Maeda.
