Celtic continued their Outdated Agency dominance as they cruised to a 3-0 win in opposition to Rangers within the first assembly of the season.
Rabbi Matondo handed up an excellent probability for Rangers as they appeared for his or her first win at Celtic Park since 2021 earlier than Kyogo Furuhashi’s aim was dominated out for offside.
An excellent end from Daizen Maeda despatched the hosts forward with Kyogo doubling their lead earlier than the break with a 30-yard strike.
Callum McGregor made it 3-0 along with his third aim of the season because the Hoops introduced on Deadline Day signings Arne Engels and Luke McCowan.
Philippe Clement has but to beat Brendan Rodgers’ aspect, who are actually 5 factors away from their Outdated Agency rivals after 4 video games of the season.
Celtic convincing, Rangers rattled
Rangers did not beat Celtic final season and the nerves confirmed as Matondo headed vast from James Tavernier’s ball early within the sport.
That appeared to knock their confidence once more and Kyogo then tapped in Nicolas Kuhn’s cross quickly after just for Celtic’s celebrations to be lower quick as VAR dominated it out for offside.
Simply six minutes later they did take lead. Alistair Johnston lower the ball again to Maeda and he made no mistake with an excellent right-footed end.
Celtic Park was rocking and Rangers frustrations confirmed as Jefte was booked for charging into Kuhn.
John Beaton then flashed a yellow card at Johnston and Mohamed Diomande for a coming along with Gers assistant Alex Rae additionally cautioned.
The hosts continued to dominate and John Souttar did nicely to clear Paulo Bernado’s cross earlier than Kyogo might take benefit.
Reo Hatate handed up an excellent probability to make it 2-0 as he steered the ball vast after Maeda noticed his probability blocked.
They did double their lead earlier than the break and in some model. Taylor slid the ball into Kyogo’s path and he rifled the ball into the web from 30 yards.
The Hoops appeared unstoppable.
Rangers appeared to discover a means again after the break with Cyriel Dessers forcing Kasper Schmeichel right into a save, earlier than Jack Butland was referred to as into motion on the different finish to disclaim Kuhn.
Paulo Bernado then picked out Kyogo on the again put up however the striker did not convert.
Rangers have been rocked and did not make the most of the few possibilities that got here their means – Vaclav Cerny’s cross fell to John Souttar and his effort was blocked earlier than he noticed his header flicked onto the put up by Liam Scales.
Kyogo then someway missed the possibility to make it 3-0. The striker met Hatate’s ball, tried to elevate it over Butland and it drifted vast.
Ross McCausland, on for Matondo, might solely ship his strike vast from Jefte’s cross as Rangers tried once more to get again into the match with Butland then saving them on the different finish as he managed to claw the ball clear after Robin Propper diverted it in the direction of his personal web.
There was a rapturous applause for Arne Engels as Celtic’s file signing changed Bernardo to make his debut, with James Forrest additionally coming off the bench to make his five hundredth Hoops look.
Callum McGregor then wrapped up the win within the seventy fifth minute when his deflected strike flew previous Butland because the followers went into full occasion mode.
Brendan Rodgers then handed a debut to Luke McCowan after his Deadline Day swap from Dundee as Hamza Igamane made his first look for Rangers.
Rangers did have late possibilities from Tavernier and McCausland however Schmeichel was in no temper to allow them to take something away from the primary conflict of the season.