Celtic and Rangers had a hundred percent winning start in the Premiership so far and both teams got a chance to inflict damage on the other before the international break as they squared up at Ibrox. Celtic came out victorious by two goals to nil as they were more composed and clinical in their approach.
Rangers might have quality players but none of them turned up when it mattered the most. Moreover, Celtic were playing with an almost makeshift backline as most of their first-choice defenders were out with injuries. Here is how Twitter reacted as Celtic won the 418th Old Firm Derby.
Rangers were being built as the favourites for this encounter but they hardly troubled Celtic. Shows that there might be still some way to go for the Gers to match the Hoops.
Media: "I predict a 4-0 home win, Morelos to coast it"
Neil Lennon: pic.twitter.com/g1RoPmZqqX
— The Grand Auld Podcast (@FritzAGrandAuld) September 1, 2019
Bitton who is a midfielder by trade was a calming influence at the back. Some Celtic fans drew parallels with Virgil Van Dijk
Virgil van Bitton at the back wae the slippers on ?
— McGlynn ? (@SeanMcglynn6) September 1, 2019
If Van Dijk wasn’t enough then some fans compared Bitton to German football legend Franz Beckenbauer.
I'm going to start referring to Nir Bitton as Nir Bittonbauer he's cooler at the back than a cucumber in an icebox #Celtic #RANCEL
— Dom Oliver (@DominicOliver82) September 1, 2019
The big player turned up again for the Bhoys
Odsonne Edouard's record against Rangers:
⏱️ 7 games
⚽️ 5 goals
? 2 assists?I wanna be Edouard? pic.twitter.com/0sMeMlBS7Z
— Celtic Soccer Show (@CelticSoccrShow) September 1, 2019
Gerrard was being seen as a better manager than Lennon but this game showed why he might have some way to go.
— Chairman Lmao ☭ (@BenTheTim) September 1, 2019
Lennon does a Ric Flair impression.
Ric Flair Lennon is my new favourite Lennon pic.twitter.com/CxtfC7ECP3
— CeltsAreHere (@HereCelts) September 1, 2019
Can’t say that it’s not true as Arfield made on an atrocious attempt at stopping Ntcham.
Closet we've came to scoring is arfield ripping the shorts off ntcham
— FollowFollowMeltdowns (@FollowMeltdowns) September 1, 2019
In totally related news, we got this.
He was watching Celtic beat Rangers. https://t.co/XEbeePjNVg
— Chairman Lmao ☭ (@BenTheTim) September 1, 2019
Celtic fans loving Rangers fans’ tears.
And it got worse… pic.twitter.com/FY1BcIZzBv
— Chairman Lmao ☭ (@BenTheTim) September 1, 2019
G(o)ld
Still funny pic.twitter.com/gIyIL1jPI1
— Chairman Lmao ☭ (@BenTheTim) November 17, 2016
Great capture from the cameraman.
WELCOME TO THE PARTY pic.twitter.com/g0XALuJWvo
— Chairman Lmao ☭ (@BenTheTim) September 1, 2019
Thug life from Lennon
Nine in a row is coming pic.twitter.com/8FR48LGepT
— CeltsAreHere (@HereCelts) September 1, 2019
The treble treble champions were ran into the ground by the media. Go check their predictions. Wishful thinking and nothing else.
Like always, it all goes wrong where it matters – on the pitch. pic.twitter.com/riMkVrTtxm
— CeltsAreHere (@HereCelts) September 1, 2019
With various injuries and departure of a crucial player like Tierney, this was a confidence-boosting win for the Hoops. Celtic were comfortable for the most part of the game and they seemed to know what they were doing. Rangers, on the other hand, were disjointed and it seemed like the occasion got the better of them. Until the next derby, Gerrard is likely going to live in the shadows of Lennon and he will have to catch up on points as well as Celtic take a three-point lead early on in the season.