BBC Radio Scotland commentator Liam Macleod gave a frankly accurate assessment of Celtic’s Glasgow derby performance yesterday afternoon.

The Hoops were battered by their city rivals in a display that was well below the usual standards they set. The players showed no real sense of passion, fight, or desire to win, and they were duly punished for their sub-par showing.

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 opened the scoring early doors before Robin Propper doubled Rangers’ lead just after the hour mark. Substitute Danilo added some gloss to the scoreline late on.

Although they are still 11 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, several concerns have to be raised from yesterday afternoon’s match.

Indeed, Macleod, who described the action for BBC Radio Scotland, gave perhaps the best summary of Celtic’s performance: “Celtic didn’t have an answer all afternoon,” he said (BBC Scottish Football Podcast). 

“As insipid a performance as Celtic have had under Brendan Rodgers across his two spells.

“There were unforced errors all over the shop, misplaced passes, [and] they were barely getting into the box.”

The Hoops must bounce back at home to St. Mirren this weekend. Third-placed Dundee United will then visit Parkhead next Wednesday night as Rodgers looks for a rapid response from his players after a rare derby defeat.

His side where miles off it on Thursday afternoon. The Irishman can’t afford to let a Celtic team ever play like that against Rangers again.

There are no excuses for such a poor display which must be improved upon going forward.

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