Celtic have put down an early season marker today after hammering Rangers 3-0 in the first Glasgow Derby of the season.
Goals from Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi and Callum McGregor sealed the win to put some daylight between Celtic and Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.
The win continues Brendan Rodgers’ unbeaten run against Rangers since returning to the club last summer so here are three things we learned after Celtic hammered Philippe Clement’s side.
Paulo Bernardo steps up for Celtic vs Rangers
The first Glasgow Derby without Matt O’Riley put all eyes on Paulo Bernardo as the Portuguese midfielder takes over the mantle from the former Celtic favourite.
And the 22-year-old didn’t disappoint. Bernardo looked calm and assured in the heart of the Celtic midfield and looked dangerous as he probed the Rangers defence with some fine passing.
The Portuguese was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself in the first half but just couldn’t get the power into the shot as he looked to get the ball onto his favoured right foot.
Defensively, Bernardo was excellent as he won 11 duels, made two interceptions, nine defensive actions and seven ball recoveries.
It’s still early days yet, but Rodgers looks to have made a great move this summer by bringing Bernardo back to Celtic permanently this summer.
Maeda a thorn in Rangers’ side
Daizen Maeda continues to be a thorn in Rangers’ side as the Japanese winger gets on the scoresheet once again for Celtic against Rangers.
Maeda opened the scoring in the 17th minute after Kyogo Furuhashi’s 10th-minute goal was ruled offside.
The Japanese winger was at his dangerous best for Celtic as he gave Rangers captain, James Tavernier, the slip after Alistair Johnston’s hard work on the right flank put the ball on the plate for Maeda to slip his shot just under the Ibrox goalkeeper.
Rated at 8.6 by Fotmob, Maeda was like a buzz bomb down the left flank as he attacked the Rangers fullbacks and contributed to Celtic’s defensive game as he pressed, harried and tracked back.
As well as his goal, Maeda also created three chances for Celtic with a passing of 75%. Defensively, the Japan international was excellent as won five of his duels, made one interception and made three ball recoveries.
Maeda continues to prove his worth in these games and once again showed why he is so important to this Celtic team.
Celtic look unstoppable
Putting the opening ten minutes of the fixture aside, Celtic got a grip of this game not long after Kyogo’s goal was ruled offside.
And as soon as Maeda’s strike hit the back of the net, in truth, Brendan Rodgers’ side never looked like losing this game.
Rodgers also introduced Arne Engles and Luke McCowan and both players looked bright and sharp in their short cameos.
The Celtic manager used his bench well to close out the game at 3-0 and looking at the summer transfer business Rodgers has done, it’s going to take something special to stop his team this season.
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