Celtic’s emphatic win over Rangers in the latest Glasgow Derby was nothing short of a complete performance, the kind that Brendan Rodgers’ side will relish as they continue to assert their dominance in Scottish football.
Last season’s derbies were often cagey, with just a single goal typically separating Celtic and Rangers, but Sunday’s encounter at Celtic Park told a different story.
Aside from a nervy opening ten minutes, Celtic were in complete control, with several players rising to the occasion.
However, when former Rangers defender Craig Moore delivered his post-match assessment, his verdict on Celtic’s performance was somewhat surprising, particularly from the perspective of the Ibrox faithful.
Speaking immediately after the final whistle on The Go Radio Football Show, Moore’s comments appeared to downplay the individual quality within Rodgers’ side, despite their dominant display.
“I just think it’s showing the gap at this moment in time between Rangers and Celtic,” Moore remarked.
“Again, Celtic probably didn’t have a standout performer today, but I think across the board they were good. Rangers huffed and puffed for the first five or ten minutes of the first half, a little bit of a spell, but just nowhere near good enough.
“For the supporters, I really feel for the supporters because as we said, the window is closed now. So this is a team that they’ve got to try and support and hope can improve their performances.”
Moore’s assertion that Celtic had no standout performers is a curious one, especially when reflecting on the game more thoroughly.
Celtic had at least five players who shone brightly in a match that was anything but close. Paulo Bernardo, in particular, was exceptional in the midfield, stepping up admirably in the absence of the recently departed Matt O’Riley.
Kasper Schmeichel, meanwhile, made crucial saves that kept Celtic in control during key moments, while Kyogo Furuhashi was a constant menace to the Rangers’ defense.
Daizen Maeda’s performance further undermines Moore’s analysis. The Celtic winger once again got the better of James Tavernier, the Rangers captain, slipping past him to score and causing problems throughout the match.
On the right flank, Nicolas Kuhn and Alistair Johnston were both outstanding, contributing significantly to Celtic’s dominance.
Callum McGregor, Celtic’s captain, also had a stellar outing, his goal serving as the perfect embodiment of his leadership and influence on the pitch.
And yet, this doesn’t even account for the solid displays from Reo Hatate and Liam Scales, both of whom were instrumental in Celtic’s comprehensive victory.
In light of these performances, Moore’s claim that there was no standout player in the Celtic ranks seems wide of the mark.
Far from being a game without individual brilliance, Celtic’s victory was marked by numerous standout displays that highlighted the growing gap between the two Glasgow rivals.