Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston was put in front of the media at Ibrox after the Hoops’ dismal 3-0 defeat to Rangers yesterday afternoon.

It was an embarrassing performance from the Bhoys, who simply weren’t up to the required standard.

Those in green and white didn’t look up to the task from the off and were second to every ball. They showed a concerning lack of fight, desire, and will to win.

Liam Scales and Daizen Maeda
Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Rangers v Celtic – Ibrox, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – January 2, 2025 Celtic’s Daizen Maeda and Liam Scales during the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Ianis Hagi got the opener early on before Robin Propper doubled the hosts’ lead just after the hour mark. Danilo came on to make it three in the latter stages.

Johnston, who played the full 90 and was, like his teammates, uncharacteristically poor, sought to explain Celtic’s loss after full-time.

The Canadian outlined the ‘most frustrating’ part of the defeat: “We were just miles from our standard, unfortunately, and that comes down to us,” he said (The Celtic Way).

“I didn’t think that we were at the races at all.

“And that’s the most frustrating part of it. It’s one of the matches that you really don’t want that to happen in. That comes down to us as a group not putting in that effort right from the get-go.”

Brendan Rodgers and his players know they must do better on derby day.

The game is everything for supporters, regardless of how far in front Celtic may be at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Fortunately, they still possess a healthy 11-point lead, which they will look to maintain when St. Mirren come to Parkhead this Sunday. It is the perfect opportunity for the Bhoys to immediately bounce back from Thursday’s abysmal display.

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