Ange Postecoglou has celebrated his maiden Old Firm triumph as Celtic leapfrogged Rangers to the top of the Scottish Premiership with a thumping 3-0 defeat of their rivals at Parkhead.
In a frenetic first half, Reo Hatate – an Ange signing – marked his debut in the historic fixture by grabbing a stunning brace before Liel Abada added a third.
Had it not been for Rangers keeper Allan McGregor the rampant Hoops would have inflicted more damage.
With no travelling supporters inside the ground, Rangers appeared a beaten lot at the interval and despite some improvement after the break a comprehensive and sobering defeat was confirmed by the final whistle.
Postecoglou’s men are now 18 league fixtures without defeat after ending a seven-game winless run in Old Firm derbies and are at the summit of the division for the first time since August.
But after a 13-game unbeaten start, the defeat is Giovanni’s van Bronckhorst’s first as Rangers manager and could prove to be season-defining – not just because they slip behind Celtic but also due to the crushing nature of the loss.
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou celebrates at full time. (Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Postecoglou’s side are one point ahead of their fellow Glasgow giants having sealed their first league win over Rangers since September 1, 2019.
“Our first 45 mins were outstanding; three great goals, our football was pretty special, and their keeper pulled off some great saves. Considering the context of the game, I thought our football was outstanding,” said the Aussie manager.
“Second-half, we had to defend a bit more but we’ve been a team that can do that. It shows another layer. We knew the consequences, what it meant to our supporters, and we stood up.”
Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst said: “It seemed like it was the first Old Firm game we’d played. We know what it will bring and we know what to do. It seemed like we weren’t ready for it.
“We’re not the first Rangers team to lose. I lost big here as a player, but we eventually became champions that year. These games don’t decide the championship.”
Despite being without a host of players including Socceroos ace Tom Rogic due to international commitments, Celtic did welcome back captain Callum McGregor from a facial injury, wearing a mask.
His presence was noticed as the intensity and pace Postecoglou’s side played at proved too much for the Gers.
It took less than five minutes for the home crowd to explode into a frenzy in the first midweek fixture between the two sides in more than 10 years.
Matt O’Riley’s corner from the left was cleared by Joe Aribo but the ball fell to Hatate who took a touch before sending a right-footed shot into the far corner of the net.
Four minutes before the break Celtic ‘keeper Joe Hart was smart off his line to deny Scott Arfield an opening and moments later Celtic were two ahead, Abada playing in Hatate who curled home a terrific shot from 20 yards.
Abada then almost casually flicked in a cross from Hatate with a minute of the first half remaining, with Rangers defenders caught out.
The visitors had more of the game in the last quarter of the game and went close to a consolation goal on more than one occasion but Celtic’s night was not to be spoiled.
The result was met with obvious glee from fans around the world.
BrisbaneBhoy
Roar Rookie
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David Fletcher
Roar Rookie
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jbinnie
Guest
I have read some of these comments, firstly with a hint of amusement and then with a growing feeling of anger against some opinions, which, if the truth is known, can only be described as total rubbish. There is little doubt that the games production line of stars in Scotland has dried up somewhat and surely the fact that both Gerard and now Ange have been seeking recruitments ,not in Partick or Easter Road. but in Japan and many other sources, tells the story in more detail. Youth in Britain, like America, and dare I say Australia are more likely to be playing computer games, than kicking a ball in the street. There can be many legitimate reasons for that, affluence in society being only one of the many. In 1954 the then Manager of the mighty Hungarian team Sebes, was quoted as saying Scotland's right winger on the day, John McKenzie. was the finest winger he had seen. Remember this is the era of Garrincha, Gento, Scoglund and Hamrin, to name a few . 10 years later and Johnstone and Henderson were playing top European clubs and roasting the defences wherever they went. but by then the electronic media had taken hold and television, music and concerts were the order of the day. Rangers and Celtic didn't have tp bother for if the played a "make up" team their grounds were packed to capacity and the money rolled in. But change was in the air for not only the players, but the managements of clubs started to feel the effects of dropping gates and the reduction of talent they could sell on. What did they do about it? Like most managements in football, nothing ,not until it became apparent they were in real trouble, not only with Fifa but with lending agencies used elsewhere, banks etc. Celtic were within hours of closing down until a "white knight" appeared and in 5 years got rid of the long term management, took complete control of all matters, and in 5 years turned the club all the way back to a road to success. Rangers didn't go down that path but had more than their fair share of financial difficulties that saw them "relegated" down divisions and luckily for them their fans remained faithful. So what has happened in Scotland will just as surely happen elsewhere and unless some 'white knight" comes to our shores it is hard to see how we can reverse the trend. We have lots of kids from the lower part of the age spectrum playing the game but this season alone ,due to extenuating circumstances we have seen more "kids" get a go in our top league but it is evident to learned watchers that the standard of our football has slipped accordingly, this showing from the Socceroos down to the lower levels of the game. Can the trend be reversed ? We'd better hope so or the game will stagnate until it becomes a hobby Cheers jb.
jbinnie
Guest
Ago = Not to take anything away from Ange and his achievments, one has to remember that if you want to be a success in the SPL all you have to do is get a managers job with Celtic or Rangers ,for it is almost a cast iron fact that the worst place you will attain will be second, hardly a failure, is it? "The best manager ever" is a tongue in the cheek comment when one remembers that in 1967 the then manager, Stein, put together a team made up of local lads that took on the might of Europe and won the biggest prize of the day, the then European Cup. Cheers jb
David V
Guest
The J-League is competitive alright, but managing Rangers or Celtic is another level of brutal for managers on both a professional and personal basis.
David V
Guest
Scottish football has more or less been in decline since the 1980s when the national team were regularly qualifying for World Cups, Scottish players were part of the spine of successful English club sides, and Scottish clubs held their own in Europe. The game changed and Scotland were to find themselves left behind on all of these factors. The national team has had some quite decent results in WCQs lately, and it seems like Steven Gerrard (before he left for Villa) and Ange have breathed new life into the domestic game. These two may well be remembered as stopping the decline/death spiral of Scottish football, even if it doesn't get back to the level it once was at.
Rellum
Roar Guru
That's right and neither man has changed a bit since :unhappy:
Peter Parker of Earth-69
Guest
Ancient history, the two broke bread back in 2011 after the Roar's first A-League title.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Don't disagree with anything you say there & definitely agree with a structure that gives all youth a pathway. The one thing we lack in this country is the 1st touch & you see where the Japanese are so strong. We can have a Luis Suarez, but if we don't have the players to get the ball to him, we still wouldn't score. However, I agree we need a structure that harnesses football skills over just size, fitness or speed.
stu
Guest
Kanggas2....no, not offended, however I do like to counter the perceptions that the failure of Australians linked with the SPL is due to that entity. My point has been consistent, it is a choice on the part of the player or coach.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
you’re talking about players way before my time, who during their hey day were great players – however it doesnt change the fact scotland as a country, has not produced a “world class” technical player in decades. its a country which is football obsessed and has a decent (not massive) amount of money go into the game and they still dont produce high quality players if people cant understand why developement is so poor in australia, then how do you think the scottish FA feels? haha happy for you to throw up any scottish player in the last say 30 years that even a diehard scotsman would say is world class
chris
Guest
"lets face it, scottish players have never really been known for there mastery with the ball lol)" You obviously have never heard of Jimmy Johnstone, Jim Baxter and Kenny Dalglish?
Al
Guest
Remember the time when the self proclaimed oracle of all things football in Australia, Craig Foster berated Ange on The World Game? Foster is rubbish.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
It depends which national team, Saudis where the whole team is in their country and they can have long camps whenever they want is totally different to Australia with players scattered all over the world with 24 hour flights that get together infrequently.
Brian
Guest
Because that's exaclty the wrong philosophy which has led to our current malaise. We are a nation who needs different styles not a club team. We need to capture the next Viduka not just the next Kewell. Lets for a second pretend Luis Suarez was Australian, how would 15yo Suarez developed with Angeball? he's not the quickest off the mark, has a temper and a somewhat selfish attitude. Yet he's been a better footballer then we have ever had. Coaching a club where you pick the peices is one thing. What we need is national structure that gives all sorts of youth a pathway
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
the move is a step down because he is dealing with inferior players from a technical skills point of view (lets face it, scottish players have never really been known for there mastery with the ball lol) japanese players > scottish players – when it comes to technical skills, not even a close comparison however it is a huge step up for ange in terms of coaching – as hes basically been given license (within reason) to rip apart a european giant and do a full rebuild. celtic is a massive world wide club and his performances should open up the door for a move to one of the worlds best leagues. (preferably not england, i dont think hes suited to that league – italy would be a better option)
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
Stu You get offended by anyone ever mentioning Scottish football. What is it ? I just enjoy when Ange and Rogic do well . Surely you can see how Ange makes teams better , he is class act .
Punter
Roar Rookie
He is not proclaiming Ange to be national coach, but his methods to be part of the Curriculum. Easy enough to follow, just work hard, no more than two touches unless 1 v 1 or running into space, move the ball quickly, plenty of angles both runs and pass. Remember Ange is a big Liverpool fan & this is how Liverpool play except with a lot better players & very quick.
Brian
Guest
Because whilst Ange is a great club coach he's a bad NT coach. Coaching club and coaching international are very different propositions. National teams have little time to train, so managers like Ange struggle when they have just a few weeks out of the year with a team.
stu
Guest
Franko....are you saying that he has taken a step down going to the SPL, and as a result will stagnate. Not sure why the comparison.