Celtic v Rangers LIVE: Result and reaction as hosts cruise to victory in first Old Firm derby of the season
Celtic 3-0 Rangers: Goals from Daizen Maeda, Kyogo and Callum McGregor secured victory for the hosts
Celtic cruised to victory over Rangers in the first Old Firm derby of the season to continue their perfect Scottish Premiership start.
First-half goals from Daizen Maeda and Kyogo set the home side on course at Celtic Park, before captain Callum McGregor’s fine second half strike added gloss to a commanding performance. After a bright opening ten minutes, Rangers seldom threatened, with Brendan Rodgers’ side now four wins from four and yet to concede in the league this season.
Philippe Clement had expressed hope that his refreshed Rangers squad could challenge their rivals , but a gulf in class was evident throughout. A fourth consecutive win at home over their cross-city foes leaves Celtic level on points with high-flying Aberdeen at the top of the table, with the visitors already five points back and any prospect of a title fight surely distant.
Re-live all the action from the Old Firm derby below.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 21 minutes
Two more yellows shown. Mohamed Diomande and Alistair Johnston go into the book after a coming together.
And another - to the delight of the home fans, ex-Rangers midfielder Alex Rae, now one of Philippe Clement’s assistants, is cautioned after providing some unneccessary advice for the officials.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 19 minutes
The first booking of the afternoon goes the way of Jefte, the Rangers left-back spun by Nicolas Kuhn rather easily and clipping his ankles.
GOAL! CELTIC 1-0 Rangers (Daizen Maeda, 17 minutes)
That one will count!
It’s a brilliant goal. Celtic work a triangle up the right, Alistair Johnston giving and going, the right-back underlapping. Rabbi Matondo can’t stay with him and Johnston has just enough speed to keep the ball in play, hooking a searching cross into the box. It bounces beautifully for Daizen Maeda, who slots past Jack Butland.
Celtic 0-0 Rangers, 14 minutes
A sigh of relief for Rangers, then, but it was concerning just how easily they were opened up there. It is a surprise that Philippe Clement’s side aren’t sitting slightly deeper, though they have looked threatening with the ball and forced a couple of errors in possession from Celtic.
NO GOAL! Celtic 0-0 Rangers, 11 minutes
And Celtic make Rangers pay!
Scintillating football from the hosts. Rangers are caught short at the back after Celtic break between the lines, their midfielders caught too high up the pitch. Callum McGregor threads Nicolas Kuhn in, and Kyogo can’t miss as Kuhn squares it after charging into the box.
Hang on - it’s offside! Kuhn had gone too soon and VAR rules the opener out!
Celtic 0-0 Rangers, 10 minutes
What a chance for Rabbi Matondo! Another delicious delivery from James Tavernier bends on to the head of the winger, but he can’t hit the target from five yards out!
Celtic 0-0 Rangers, 8 minutes
A slightly damp stuface helps Daizen Maeda out, the Celtic forward able to keep the ball in as it snags just short of the sideline. Forward they pile to support Maeda, who moves infield and then uses the space out on the left. Greg Taylor fizzes a pass between Maeda and a couple of other colleagues in the box, Jefte hammering it away.
Celtic 0-0 Rangers, 6 minutes
Rangers are looking good in possession in these preliminary skirmishes, unlocking Celtic’s press but unable to breach the back four.
Tame! Celtic give the ball away again after an untimely slip and James Tavernier finds Cyriel Dessers with an incisive pass. The striker’s feet are neat but his shot is timid, and Kasper Schmeichel scoops it up. The flag was up, anyway.
Celtic 0-0 Rangers, 4 minutes
A first proper challenge of the match, Connor Barron sliding through the back of Kyogo. The midfielder escapes a booking.
Reo Hatate has Celtic’s opening effort soon after, dragging his shot from 30 yards some distance wide.
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