Brendan Rodgers’ wrecklessness earned him his first loss at Celtic against Rangers.

A strange starting 11 coupled with bizarre tactics was ultimately The Hoops’ downfall.

Olivier Ntcham and Scott Brown continued to show why they shouldn’t play together.

Nevertheless, Rangers’ game-management towered over Celtic as they ran out more than deserved winners.

Wreckless Rodgers will rue Rangers decisions

The manager had almost everyone available to play against Steven Gerrard’s side.

Bizarrely, man-of-the-moment Odsonne Edouard was left on the bench and young Mikey Johnston started up front.

The 19-year-old was ineffective but starved of service – heaven knows why Rodgers opted with the Glasgow Derby debutant.

The decision to start Callum McGregor at left-back over Kieran Tierney, who was fit enough for the bench, and Jonny Hayes who put in a stellar performance at Aberdeen also had heads scratching.

Finally, Olivier Ntcham was brought in from the wildnerness and was perhaps the worst player on the pitch.

Gordon saves Celts’ blushes

It says a lot when Celtic’s man-of-the-match was Craig Gordon.

The Scotland international kept the score low and proved his doubters wrong from very early on.

The 36-year-old was subject to criticism recently, but he was more assured at Ibrox.

Bhoys will be glad to say bye bye to Boyata

If the Rangers loss was Dedryck Boyata’s last game for Celtic, then a few fans will be happy about that.

Pre-injury, the Belgian was in his prime, but it was as if a ghost from the past played at Ibrox.

He was unassured on the ball and put Gordon under pressure a few times.

Rodgers will receive offers in January and may accept now if the right one comes along.

Rogic and McGregor’s importance proven

Rodgers will be ruing not putting Callum McGregor further up the field.

Celtic’s best chance, an offside goal scored by the makeshift left-back, showed the Scot’s value.

The Bhoys lost the battle in the midfield and were needing the legs of McGregor and the hold-up play of Tom Rogic to make an impression.

McGregor wasn’t able to make forward runs ahead of the defence, which is usually a good outball against Rangers.

Furthermore, Rogic’s miss meant a surprise screamer was out of the question.

This won’t happen again for a long time

If The Hoops have a positive dabble in next month’s transfer market, this defeat will be the last for a while.

Rodgers can go to the money-men and show where his side need improvement.

Two strikers, a right-back and perhaps a winger now are required.

The teams don’t meet for another three and a half months and by then the new players will be bedded in.

For his sake, Rodgers better make sure this result doesn’t repeat itself.

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