Kris Boyd used the word “annihilation” to describe Celtic’s 4-0 win in Glasgow Derby

Family reasons prevented me from attending today, but Sky Sports did a fine job and the atmosphere came across brilliantly and even our old pal Kris Boyd had to admit how good Celtic were. At one point Kris used the word “annihilation”. It was indeed a very good game, and an outstanding Celtic performance.

The sweetness of the victory comes from the fact that we cannot really relate it to any one Celtic player. It was indeed a fine team performance, quite reminiscent, in fact, of the “total football” concept of Holland in the 1970s.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – SEPTEMBER 03: Ryan Kent of Rangers vies with Liel Abada of Celtic during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Rangers FC at on September 03, 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

There was not a weak link in the team, and seldom can I recall such a positive atmosphere emanating from all that Celtic are doing. The substitutes, for example, are every bit as good as the original eleven. For that Ange Postecoglou deserves a huge amount of credit.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – SEPTEMBER 03: Josip Juranovic and Liel Abada of Celtic celebrate after their sides victory during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Rangers FC at Celtic Park Stadium on September 03, 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

It is of course in the context of what I have just said to single out individual players, but Callum McGregor seems now to have raised his game even from the high standard of last year. Abada, as everyone says, is only 20 so has a great future ahead of him, and Jota is quite simply Jota.

Real Madrid will be tough, of course, and it would be a fool to say that we will beat the European Champions, but there is little need to fear that Celtic will not do themselves proud. Now it is Celtic’s opportunity to banish many years of European shame.

We don’t really like kicking men when they are down, but there are several of our opponents who have now played their last game for the club, one feels, and how little we missed Mr Arfield saluting his fans! The Colombian scowler had plenty to be unhappy about today, and how amusing it was to see a couple of their substitutes coming on and making a religious gesture or two. It wouldn’t have gone well in some quarters, you know!

And of course, Mr Goldson was extremely lucky to last the 90 minutes. Is a deliberate trip not a red card offence? If it isn’t, I am sure I am not the only one who thinks it should be.

So five points ahead in the League, but Europe beckons. A thought strikes me. Our opponents have done well in Europe – at least, if you listen to the hysterical Scottish media and read the sycophantic Press – but we today won 4-0. Does that say something about our chances in Europe?

Celtic Park will be an interesting place on Tuesday night.

David Potter