Instead Rangers were 3-1 behind when Philippe Senderos was red-carded for a comical slap at a bouncing ball, which meant they had no central defenders, because Rob Kiernan had already injured himself while fouling Dembélé.
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However, in the first Ladbrokes Premiership clash between the two clubs in four years at Celtic Park and in Dembele’s first Old Firm game, he scored the treble by a Celtic player against Rangers in the league since Stevie Chalmers in 1966.
Rodgers, after his first Old Firm match, admitted the occasion was “everything I expected and more” and praised 20-year-old Dembele who has had to play second fiddle to Griffiths in recent weeks.
Barton also said that Celtic captain Scott Brown is “nowhere near the level of player I am”, and that Brendan Rodgers is experiencing a “mid-life crisis”.
Chief Superintendent Brian McInulty said: “I would like to thank all the supporters who came to enjoy the match today in a safe and responsible manner”.
It was a flawless day for former Fulham striker Dembele, who joined the Hoops in the summer.
That said, he needs to convince the Rangers support that he is capable of pragmatic responses when circumstances require. The first 20 minutes were nip and tuck.
The Hoops blew Rangers away, controlling the game in the first half and eventually overwhelming their neighbours to pile on three more goals after half-time. We are a good group and if someone is not here, someone else who replaces him is ready.
“But then we got the goal and wanted to come out hard and fast in the second half”.
“We just got beaten 5-1, so I’m not going to sit here like an idiot”, Warburton was quoted as saying in the Daily Mail.
“The supporters were incredible and they lifted the team”.
Gers boss Warburton watched in horror as his side were torn apart by Brendan Rodgers’ Bhoys, who moved four points clear of the Ibrox men in the league as a result.
“They absolutely have the bragging rights and deserved to win”.
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“We don’t see a major gulf”. There were 15 points up for grabs and we’ve got eight. “They are just going to have to work harder, certainly on the defensive side of their game, they are going to have to work harder”.
