Rangers 0-2 Celtic

Celtic overcame a combative first half showing from Rangers to deservedly win the first derby of the season.

My pre-match nerves aside I felt that if we could ride out the first 20 minutes we would start to control the game and set the platform to win. As with all my predictions the exact opposite happened in the first half. Within the first 10-15 minutes Celtic threatened to engulf Rangers through menacing attacking play. This spell included a thunderous Tom Rogic shot that Foderingham had to tip over the bar in the first 90 seconds.

The mismatch of Roberts against Hodson was on show early as the Englishman mercilessly ghosted past his man to drive into the box but could only fire a shot straight at the keeper. In a hectic opening 15 minutes, Armstrong could only find the gloves of the keeper from firing range just outside the penalty box, Tom Rogic was crowded out after a smart ball enabled him to get in on the left hand side of the box, an excellent recovery from McCrorie denying the Aussie the chance to shoot from close range. Griffiths would also miss an absolute sitter as the whipped ball in from the left hand side found the Celtic hitman in space a couple of yards out at the back post but he ballooned his header over the bar.

It was beginning to look like a rerun of the last game at Ibrox. Rangers could have had a penalty when Morelos got to the ball ahead of Simunovic and was unable to hurdle the Bosnian's long legs as he stretched to win the ball. If it were Celtic I would be wanting a penalty for it but I do think the way Morelos went down made it look less like a penalty than it could have done if he had gone down naturally.

After the opening exchanges Rangers markedly improved, Brown and Armstrong were getting less time on the ball and when winning the ball back in their own half Rangers went forward with menace on the break. They lacked the final ball and composure to make the most of these situations although a curling Tavernier ball from the right hand side just evaded the the outstretched leg of the Columbian forward.

This was much better from Rangers in the sense that there was a proper battle for the midfield area. Celtic dominated possession but lacked the killer ball against a well drilled Rangers defensive unit, with the notable exception of the Celtic right wing where Roberts was tormenter in chief of a struggling Hodson.

Half time and 0-0, a competitive game of football that was still in the balance. Celtic had the better of it but Rangers had their moments and with no goals the game was there to be won.

Second half, and it was a series of errors that would result in the opener, a Celtic corner came out to Roberts who scuffed a shot into the ground towards the penalty box, both Candeias and McCrorie failed to clear, the ball ending up going through the formers legs. As the ball rolled towards Rogic, Hodson had the chance to clear but spent too long and swiped at thin air. Tam got his foot over the top of the ball and lashed the ball into the roof of the net from inside the penalty box.

A great goal but a catalogue of errors that cost Rangers dearly. Ironically though Rangers would have their best spell of the match for the next 5-10 minutes. Windass smashing a shot wide of the right hand post and Morelos with a great opportunity as Miller won a header and looped the ball towards him in the box. Just as it looked like Morelos would get the chance to nod home, Craig Gordon made himself big and smothered the header. A big moment in the game and after which Celtic picked up the mantle to score their second.

A chipped pass from Gordon saw Lustig with time and space to collect his own header and play the ball into the feet of Roberts. Roberts cut inside as he loves to do and slid a great ball into the feet of Griffiths in the inside right channel. He evaded McCrorie who had done well to this moment and rifled the ball low between the keeper and his near post.

This was the straw that broke the camels back and from 65 minutes onwards, it was a cakewalk for Celtic, Rangers resistance was broken and gaps began to appear all over the park. You felt Celtic could have had more if they wanted it as they won all the second balls and ran the game.

This was an improved showing from Rangers but Celtic in my eyes were still good value for the win.

I enjoyed the performance of Armstrong and Roberts, Brown won the duel in the middle of the park and I thought Sinclair looked dangerous in the second half when the game opened up. Special shout out to our defence who didn't look as much of a bomb scare as recent times. Helps having proper Centre backs I guess