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Celtic fans were mourning the loss of a Portuguese hero this summer, but on Saturday at Parkhead a new one was born.
Former Hoops star Jota produced some great moments in the Old Firm derbies against the Rangers. And youngster Paulo Bernardo has invented his own cookie here to help Brendan Rodgers’ side to victory over their Glasgow rivals. The youngster on loan from Benfica scored a very good first game. in the first half to give the champions the lead. And there was an even bigger blow from Kyogo Furuhashi to make it 2-0 and sealed the points well.
It’s a big win for Rodgers’ men, who moved eight points atop the Premiership, despite Rangers having two games in hand. But this result isn’t just about positions or bragging rights.
With Rangers bang in form under new boss Philippe Clement, the narrative in the city has been about the Ibrox outfit potentially taking over. Instead, it was Celtic who reasserted their authority by claiming their second derby victory of the season – and unbeaten run. It was a miserable day all round for the Belgian boss who also saw defender Leon Balogun sent off in the second half.
Neither team was able to form a full starting lineup due to injuries. At first, the snow was gone and the inside of Celtic Park turned red. Unsurprisingly, the champions got off to a good start. And their two offensive midboxers — Bernardo and Matt O’Riley — who caused the Rangers in disarray.
Celtic’s first chance came from an undeniable ball over the Gers defence that Kyogo held on to. The angle was narrow, but he still controlled it to force Jack Butland to make his first stop. Bernardo then raced into the box to head wide a cross from Luis Palma and then shot. Shot inches wide of Butland’s post.
It was a cautionary shot into Clement’s goal. But it’s a factor they haven’t paid attention to. A corner was cleared just wide of the post by Abdallah Sima.
But his header was poor and fell straight to Bernardo 14 yards out. His technique was superb as he got over the ball to produce a controlled, thunderous finish that flew past Butland – and sent Hoops fans wild.
Some members of the Green Brigade on the pitch rushed onto the stage to celebrate. And with no outdoor fans on the pitch, Rangers were now facing that. Clément’s men had chances to equalise. They just weren’t decisive enough in the final. third.
Cyriel Dessers attacked the Welsh after a hospital ball from Alistair Johnston and the tall Nigerian hit the goal, but it was a nuisance in the box and allowed the Canadiens to come back and make up for their mistake.
There was a moment of controversy just before half-time. Johnston, who had already been booked, looked to protect the ball at the far post while Sima pressed him. He knocked it out of the game with his hand, prompting a VAR check. .
Between referee Nick Walsh in the box and Willie Collum at Clydesdale House, they decided there was no case to answer. But while Clement might have been furious about the decision, it gave the impression that Sima was first offside anyway. The Gers coach, who had been cautioned earlier, thought he was having a bad day, but just after the break the situation became even worse.
Bernardo returned to the center of the action with a clever turn and a blank pass to Kyogo’s feet. Goldson gave him too much area outside the box, but Kyogo came out of the more sensible box with his weaker left foot. The mistake ended any remaining hope for the Rangers when he was fired.
But Tavernier had a brilliant moment with a free kick with two minutes remaining, sending the ball past Hart into the tackle for 2-1. It turned out to be too little, too out of the ordinary, for the Rangers.
Despite pressure from 10 men who were at the back, Celtic held on to a well-deserved victory and in doing so cemented their position as the dogs in the race for names.