Neil Lennon waxed lyrical about Kyogo Furuhashi, Callum McGregor and Liam Scales after Celtic beat Rangers 1-0 at Ibrox on Sunday.
Celtic’s main man up top scored the only goal of the game, with Lennon labelling that first-time finish as ‘world-class’.
But Lennon wasn’t only impressed with the Japan star because he was sure to highlight Callum McGregor and Liam Scales, who he called ‘outstanding’, as he told Sky Sports Football (03/09/23 at 2:00 pm).
Given the injury problems, the poor form heading into this match, and the players that are facing this fixture for the first time, then this is an impressive performance from Brendan Rodgers’ men.
Given that Celtic also have brought in Nat Phillips, on loan from Liverpool, then you think he has signed to start straight away, especially given that it’s a deal until January.
But that’s back-to-back clean sheets for new boy Gustaf Lagerbielke and Scales, with Lennon sharing his thoughts.
MORE CELTIC STORIES
“It’s just magnificent from Kyogo,” said Lennon. “For me, it’s a poor header (from Goldson). Great reaction from O’Riley (to play the ball back). You know what, normal human beings would take a touch there and then head towards the goal.
“But he hits it so sweet on the bounce. It’s a world-class finish. And, to the honest with you, the wee man could have had a hat-trick going into the half. I was so pleased with the way Celtic have played. They were outstanding in the environment. They deserve to be up.
After FT, Lennon added: “I think it’s a magnificent result under the circumstances. I thought in the first half they were outstanding, then you expect Rangers to come back at them, which they did.
“The difference between the two teams was Kyogo, again. He could have had a hat-trick in the first half. I thought McGregor was brilliant in the first half. Scales was outstanding on his Glasgow derby debut – the reality is, it’s 1-0 Celtic at Ibrox and Michael Beale hasn’t won another big game.”
Celtic will only get better
To be sitting top of the table, with a four-point lead over Rangers, in this situation, is seriously impressive.
The Bhoys are only going to get better, the summer signings are yet to settle and the best defender in Scotland – Cameron Carter-Vickers – will, hopefully, return sooner rather than later.
And then, this four-point lead, on current reading, will only increase because there is a clear gap in quality between the two rivals.