Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has emerged victorious from his first Old Firm Derby, as his side beat Rangers 5-1 at Parkhead.
Advertisement
“It’s sad that Leigh was injured, but the big man stepped up and got three goals and got an assist as well – not a bad day’s work”. Even this early in the season – the Hoops have only played four league games – it looks good for Brendan Rodgers’ side in their quest for title number six and they now prepare for their Champions League opener against Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night.
The problem with making such statements, is that when things go wrong – like when you’re part of a team that loses 5-1 to your most bitter rivals, play poorly and end up filling in at centre-half – sympathy is in short supply.
Rangers are approaching 5/1 with some bookmakers to win at Parkhead, but Miller said: “If you look through any Old Firm game, I would imagine the home team normally have the edge as bookies’ favourites”.
The former Fulham forward then sealed the first Celtic hat-trick in an Old Firm league fixture since 1966 in the 84th minute after Rangers had been reduced to 10 men as Philippe Senderos’ picked up a second booking for a deliberate handball.
“When I was the manager of Watford, it was my first job”.
Moussa Dembele, the first signing of Rodgers’ regime, raised the eyebrows when he became the first Celtic since Harry Hood to score three in a game against Rangers, but it was another arrival who may set the benchmark in the months to come. Rangers has eight points from five matches.
Rangers manager Mark Warburton has told The Daily Record that there is not a massive gulf between his side and Celtic.
“It was a very dominant performance and I thought we showed a lot of great traits in the game”. They walked in expecting to win, they walked out knowing it hadn’t quite felt like a fair fight given their overwhelming superiority.
‘I don’t see a major gulf.
But with 54-times champion Rangers back in the top flight their domination is under threat. We just have to work harder.
Advertisement
Rangers had a strong, if not relatively small squad last season, something Warburton has endeavoured to fix, adding experience to his squad with the likes of Joey Barton, Clint Hill, Phillipe Senderos and Niko Kranjcar.
