On This Day in 2022, Celtic blew Rangers away with a stunning first half performance. The win would take Celtic one point clear at the top of the Cinch Premiership, a position that the club have retained ever since.
It was a fast start and the Celtic midfield, led by skipper CalMac, dominated and helped the team get forward. Although, special mention needs to go to one man – Reo Hatate. Hatate was named Man of the Match after the Japanese midfielder contributed two goals and an assist over the course of the evening.
His first goal came after a cleared corner fell to his feet at the edge of the area, a drive that was moving away from Allan McGregor evaded bodies in the box before nestling in the corner. His second came from a lovely move down Celtic’s right hand side, neat interplay allowed Liel Abada to play his teammate in at the edge of the area, allowing Hatate to bend the ball around Goldson and into McGregor’s near post.
Hatate assisted thereafter when he found the touchline on the left and delivered a delightful ball into the mix, which Abada ran onto – leaving Barisic on his knees. Celtic did their business early, Giakoumakis was denied on a few occasions by McGregor but the goals allowed Celtic to sit off and soak up the pressure.
The atmosphere, without visitors, was terrific. The club decided to revamp how they approach these games and YNWA before kick-off was special.