Former Celtic winger Aiden McGeady was left shocked at just how bad theRangers were last night against a rampant Celtic side at an incredibly noisy Celtic Park with Ange Postecoglou scoring three goals in the first half but in truth it could easily have been six or seven as the current cinch Premiership Champions had absolutely no answer to the relentless pessing and constant attacking of this exciting Celtic side, which according to McGeady is playing the best football in over a decade.
“A little bit shocked to be honest.(the)Rangers were extremely poor but they were blown away by Celtic’s first half performance. The intensity they played at in the first half, (the)Rangers couldn’t live with them,” McGeady told Sky Sports.
“Getting the early goal helped settle the team but I was shocked by how well Celtic played and how poor Rangers were. I’ve watched a lot of games this season and I know the way Postecoglou wants to play, it’s a really expansive style of football and it worked a treat last night.
“(the)Rangers didn’t seem to be able to live with the intensity, movement and how fluid Celtic played with in the first half.
“I was a little bit disappointed with (the)Rangers because I expected a bit more. They played a bit defensive and whether that was down to how well Celtic played in the first half that (the)Rangers couldn’t get a grip of the game but I expected more with Van Bronckhorst and the new style of play he’s brought in.
▶️Here’s another look at the best of the action as Celtic beat Rangers 3-0 to go top of the Scottish Premiership.
What did you make of the match?👇 pic.twitter.com/QXf1LHW8Ke
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) February 2, 2022
“There’s still a lot of games left to be played but it’s a massive swing in momentum. I don’t think any Rangers fan will say they’ve played at their best this season but ground out results.
“Celtic in recent months have played good football and caught (the)Rangers up. Last night was a big test for both teams and Celtic came through it with flying colours.
“The recruitment in January has been excellent. Hatate was excellent, O’Riley played very well also and he’s someone I played against a couple of times and been very impressed with him.
“Still a lot of football to be played and that was something last night with the Celtic players not to get too carried away. They didn’t go overboard with the celebrations.
“Hatate was unbelievable last night. The energy he had and even the other Japanese player who just came back from international duty, Maeda, he literally came off the flight and looked like he had a bundle of energy as well.
“With Ange Postecoglou, he was unknown before he got the job and people I know who have played under him only have good things to say about him.
“The Celtic fans will take to anyone as long as you are winning games but he had a rough few months at the start of his tenure but the kind of football we’ve seen in the last three or four months is some of the best I’ve seen in the last 10 or 15 years at Celtic and I think a lot of fans will echo that as well.
“The main difference between this team and previous Celtic teams is how fit they are. The team last night kind of reminded me of Leeds under Bielsa, especially in the Championship, with how fluid the team were with their movement. No one is standing still and how hard they work off the ball.
“Every single player seemed to be pressing. (the)Rangers couldn’t get a hold of their game in the first half at all. They tried to play from the back but couldn’t get out of their own half and that’s a credit to the way he sets his team up.”
Here’s Ange Postecoglou speaking to Sky Sports after his side’s 3-0 victory over theRangers…
🗣️”It was a big game, we knew the consequences. There was pressure on us, I thought they handled it superbly.”
Ange Postecoglou praises his players after a 3-0 win over Rangers moved Celtic top of the league. pic.twitter.com/Or0jX2iVvs
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) February 2, 2022
