Celtic demonstrated they are operating on a different level to Rangers in their recent Old Firm clash, according to former Hoops boss Ronny Deila.
The Norwegian, who managed Celtic between 2014 and 2016, watched the match alongside his assistant manager at Al Wahda, Kenny Miller, a former Rangers and Celtic player.
Deila was left in no doubt about the gulf between the two Glasgow giants, as his old club stormed to a 3-0 victory at Celtic Park.
“We watched the game in a sports bar over here in Abu Dhabi. This time Rangers tried to have a go by pressing Celtic high up the pitch. Philippe Clement really went for it and the way Rangers played made the game much more exciting to watch. But at the same time Celtic just seem to be on a different level,” Deila said.
“They’re a better team. Their front players make such a big difference. Because when you go high on them, your defence has a bigger task to stop them. Celtic’s attackers gave Rangers’ defenders such a hard time, especially with their runs into those corridors and the cut-backs from the bye-line. There is a big difference between Celtic and Rangers on that showing.”
Central to Celtic’s dominance was captain Callum McGregor, a player Deila takes particular pride in, having handed him his debut during his time at Parkhead.
“Together with John [Kennedy], we saw a player in Callum with good technique and an understanding of the game. He was an intelligent and ambitious guy,” Deila explained.
“He’s been outstanding – and he’s the leader at Celtic now. It’s so important at the Old Firm – or any club – to have players who know the club and what it means to play there.”
Deila highlighted McGregor’s crucial role in maintaining the club’s identity, a task once held by Scott Brown.
“Callum has just taken over that role and he has done it in a fantastic way. That has been one of the key things to Celtic’s success,” Deila concluded.
For Deila, the combination of McGregor’s leadership and Celtic’s superior quality up front were key factors in what he sees as a clear separation between the two sides.