From the outset of the first Old Firm clash of the season, it was clear that the only threat to Celtic would come from within their own ranks.
As the match unfolded, it became evident that complacency, the potential Achilles’ heel, was absent, leaving Rangers with nothing to exploit.
Celtic’s 3-0 victory, which might seem modest on paper, scarcely reflects their overwhelming dominance in what turned out to be a largely one-sided affair.
The atmosphere at Parkhead, typically electric for a Glasgow Derby, was noticeably subdued, a direct result of the ease with which Celtic controlled the game.
The Rangers players could have been mistaken for wearing the colours of Ross County or St Johnstone, so non-existent was their threat. Celtic’s supremacy in Scottish football remains unchallenged, with Rangers appearing even further adrift than last season.
Celtic had already seen an effort ruled out for offside before Daizen Maeda put them ahead. Alistair Johnston, rampaging forward from right back, connected with a pass from the exceptional Paulo Bernardo, before Maeda turned in the Canadian’s cut-back.
The Rangers defence, along with goalkeeper Jack Butland, could only be described as laughably accommodating.
A second goal before the interval effectively ended the contest. A single pass to Kyogo Furuhashi sliced through the entire Rangers midfield. The Japanese striker composed himself and unleashed a low drive from 25 yards that beat Butland all ends up.
Furuhashi nearly added a third, finding himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but chipping wide.
However, the captain, Callum McGregor, ensured there was no doubt, sealing the win with a left-footed strike from distance. By this point, Rangers had offered nothing in response, their performance utterly toothless.
McGregor’s performance was particularly satisfying given the context. During the Euros, he faced scathing criticism from Graeme Souness and Rangers fans following Scotland’s 6-0 drubbing by Germany, with many labelling him a flop.
Today, McGregor exacted his revenge, delivering a masterclass in midfield and capping it off with a superb goal that buried Philippe Clement’s men.
Rangers’ limp, lacklustre showing stood in stark contrast to Celtic’s vibrancy. The Scottish Premiership title seems destined to remain at Parkhead; an early prediction, perhaps, but one that feels all too real for Rangers fans as their team struggles to keep pace.