Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Robbie Copeland

What the Celtic and Rangers pundits said as Stiliyan Petrov 'loses respect' for Connor Goldson

It was another eventful Old Firm derby as Celtic ran riot to extend their lead at the top of the Premiership.

The defending champions were on form from the first minute and led before the clock struck ten with Liel Abada's effort squirming under Jon McLaughlin. Jota added a brilliant second and it was getting out of sight before the half-time break when Abada turned in his sixth goal in seven games to put his side three to the good.

With both sides in Champions League action during the week, it was no huge surprise to see feet come off the gas in the second half. Gio van Bronckhorst had a go with Alfredo Morelos flung on for the final half-hour, but a miraculous comeback was not forthcoming, and a clanger from McLaughlin handed David Turnbull a late fourth on a plate. The convincing win sent the Hoops five points clear at the top of the table.

(PA)

Aside from the obvious, there were plenty of post-match talking points to get stuck into with pundits on both sides of the Glasgow divide chiming in after the full-time whistle. And here are the highlights from the reaction after the game.

Stiliyan Petrov

Former Celtic midfielder Petrov focused on an incident involving Connor Goldson and Jota, where the Rangers defender appeared to catch him with an arm to stop a breakaway. Petrov was furious with the Ibrox ever-present, saying he "lost respect" for him as a result

"Listen, I lose a lot of respect for players like that. You don't do it that way. You'd rather see a player go and tackle. We can see the frustration. I've been there and I usually used to jump up.

"There's no aggression, he just wants to stop him going one-on-one with the last man. But the first one is a problem for me. You're not allowed to do that. This is dangerous."

Kris Boyd

Boyd meanwhile fears more ground could be lost at Aberdeen next week with Rangers travelling to Pittodrie just days after a trip to Amsterdam to face Ajax. He's confident of a good result against the Dutch - but not so much for the journey north to face Jim Goodwin's team.

"I don't think Europe is a problem for Rangers. They've shown they can adapt and get results there. The big test will be next week at Pittodrie. They're coming back off a tough European night and they have to go again. It's a tough place to go and Aberdeen have started the season well. Rangers have to respond.

"Giovanni has a few decisions to make and one of them is in nets. You need big players who are going to stand up, you need characters and he might have to put Allan McGregor back in goals."

Pat Bonner

Former Parkhead keeper Bonner reckons this Celtic team are right up there with anything he played in in his heyday. He said: "They're up there, because the group of players that he's assembled, they're all so technically good on the ball. The intensity they're playing with now is as good if not higher than some of the teams I played in.

"Ange has got this group to a level that I haven't seen for such a long, long time. Not just on the ball, not just off the ball, but when the ball goes out, they don't even take a second to think. That today was evident in some of the goals.

"They were sensational all over the pitch. So, so comfortable. I'm looking forward to Tuesday and that benchmark, it's another step up against the Champions League winners from last year. This place will be rocking."

Kenny Miller

The final word goes to Record Sport columnist Miller, who reckons Rangers were helpless against an intense Celtic performance. "Celtic turned up against a Rangers team - who are a very good team by the way - and made them look ordinary," he admitted.

"They were outstanding. There's a real enjoyment about what they're doing at the minute and that's testament to the job the manager's doing. That isn't easy in this day and age. He's united the players and the fans and it's a great atmosphere.

"But it needs to serve as a real wake-up call to Rangers. This is the kind of game that has to make you realise how hard the competition right in front of you is.

"I don't think you can level (the defeat) at Gio. I couldn't pick that team. He wasn't wrong because I don't think it would have mattered what team he put out there today.

"Ange's team turned up with an intensity and blew Rangers away. It was similar to the game in February. This was every bit as good if not better than that performance back in February."

READ NEXT

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.