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.
GOAL! CELTIC 2-0 Rangers (Kyogo, 40 minutes)
A delightful finish and Celtic double their lead!
Kyogo just loves this fixture! Rangers give the ball away in their own half and Greg Taylor drills a pass in to his striker’s feet. Kyogo turns and spots Jack Butland slightly out of position, space to the goalkeeper’s left. A curled finish to the corner is perfectly precise.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 38 minutes
Rabbi Matondo has battled on since that earlier injury but still isn’t moving freely, and Philippe Clement has seen enough. Ross McCausland takes Matondo’s place on the left wing.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 36 minutes
Rangers have lost the intensity in their press, though a miscommunication between Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda prevents Celtic from making progress towards the visitors’ box.
But that’s a golden opportunity for Hatate! Maeda’s shot is blocked to Nicolas Kuhn, who finds a cutting pass to a free Hatate - but the midfielder skews his shot wide of the far post!
Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 32 minutes
Vaclav Cerny gives Daizen Maeda the hips, a salsa shimmy unable to shake his dance partner. Maeda’s been very diligent defensively so far, giving Greg Taylor a hand against Cerny.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 30 minutes
Daizen Maeda then flicks the corner across the face with no teammate at the far post to tap it in!
Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 29 minutes
Celtic are building pressure. More tidy football up the right sees Cameron Carter-Vickers heavily involved, the centre-back making a foray up the field. John Souttar turns a low cross behind.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 27 minutes
Cerny is forced into some defensive work as Celtic threaten again, the winger blocking behind. Rangers just seem to be losing their steam a bit after a strong start, though deal with the corner effectively.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 26 minutes
A fine run from Dujon Sterling earns Rangers a corner. Vaclav Cerny slopes over to take it, that lovely left foot of his hunting a teammate with an inswinger. Celtic manage to clear.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 24 minutes
A replacement is stripped and ready but it appears Rabbi Matondo is keen to continue after all.
Here’s how Daizen Maeda put Celtic ahead:
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