Fans and pundits are lauding Celtic after watching the Bhoys comfortably take care of Rangers in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.
Brendan Rodgers’ side were electric in attack and kept their fourth successive league clean sheet at the other end to beat Philippe Clement’s visitors 3-0.
Goals from Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi and Callum McGregor ensured Celtic’s status as the best team in Scotland has not been challenged.
As the manager noted in a post-match interview, the scoreline could have been worse for Rangers. They couldn’t deal with the home side all day.
Celtic get rave reviews on BBC Sportsound
Former Bhoys goalkeeper Pat Bonner reckoned Rangers were mere apprentices to Celtic, stating on the BBC: “When they play at that speed and tempo we witnessed in the first half, nobody in this country can deal with them. Rangers got a lesson today, to be honest.”
Meanwhile, former Rangers striker Billy Dodds noted how effective Maeda was up against James Tavernier.
The Japanese star has terrorised the Ibrox captain in the last few derby meetings but Dodds reckoned it was taken to a new level on Sunday.
Dodds said: “Celtic are a very good team – they are in such a rich vein of form and they play with confidence, pace and energy. Rangers could not handle it mentally or physically. That is worrying.
“James Tavernier had one of his worst days, for me. If you’re a top defender with all those goals and assists, there shouldn’t be a question asked about you. But there is. He found it really tough today. Maeda gave him such a hard time.”
Tavernier could keep track of him in multiple phases of play so it’s no surprise to hear this review of the personal battle from Dodds.
Daizen Maeda’s day vs Rangers in numbers
Maeda was picked out as the star man on the pitch by stat trackers FotMob, earning an 8.7 rating.
The winger opened the scoring and also registered an assist, although Callum McGregor didn’t need much help to bang home the third goal of the day.
He created three chances in total and completed seven defensive actions as he buzzed up and down the pitch.
It was the kind of performance we’ve become used to as Celtic fans but we shouldn’t take him for granted.
Maeda is a key part of what we’ve achieved over the last few years and the team isn’t the same without him.
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