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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Will Lancaster

Celtic 3 Rangers 2 as Hoops overcome title charge turbulence - three things we learned

It's time for everyone to sit down and take a breather after the most enthralling Old Firm derby in years after Celtic beat Rangers 3-2 at Parkhead.

There were goals galore, VAR controversies, top-notch and dreadful performances across the board and some top quality football being played - albeit in patches. The only thing missing from the game, you feel, were the away fans, with Rangers supporters not being allowed into Celtic Park.

The game started strongly with two offside goals - first Kyogo and then Alfredo Morelos, with the latter's being much more controversial than the first. Ally McCoist certainly made his thoughts on the matter known, labelling VAR as 'embarrassing' for disallowing the Colombian's strike. It was Kyogo who got proceedings underway just before the half-hour; a superb swivel and shot beat Allan McGregor all ends up.

READ MORE: Celtic player ratings vs Rangers as Kyogo and Alistair Johnston shine in derby day victory

Celtic were threatening, but it was the away side who levelled just before half time with a wonderstrike from set-piece specialist James Tavernier to send the away dugout crazy - the only noise from the away side with fans being banned.

From there, a ridiculously-poised second half took shape. The first 15 minutes were Rangers dominant, and Morelos should have given Rangers the lead with a volley that was saved by Hart. The Light Blues would come to regret not capitalising upon their early dominance - a high, easy ball came into the box, but Ben Davies inexplicably nodded the ball towards the edge of the box, leaving Kyogo to sweep up.

Nightmares continued for the Gers - John Souttar's horrific backpass found a race between Allan McGregor and Jota. The Portugal star is evidently quicker than the veteran Scot, and got to the ball first before rounding him and sliding home into an empty goal. James Tavernier did pull one back with a bullet header before the end, but Rangers couldn't quite batten down the hatches of Celtic's defence, and the Hoops now sit 12 points clear of Michael Beale's men.

Glasgow Live takes you through three key talking points with Ange Postecoglou's men looking forward to breaking the goal and points tally record.

Shaky, shaky stuff

The signs were there from the off; as Cameron Carter-Vickers blindly passed the ball back to Carl Starfelt to almost allow Alfredo Morelos to nip in, Celtic fans will have been wary of further mistakes that day.

It was quite the shambolic midfield performance from the boys in green. Aaron Mooy in particular was sloppy, Callum McGregor wasn't at his best, the centre-halves weren't great with their distribution. It was as though someone had cast a spell upon Postecoglou's men for the crunch clash.

And that seemed to set the tone for the rest of the half. Celtic looked way more tenacious in the tackle than Rangers, but the loose balls meant the Gers were constantly on the front foot against their rivals in a game which could have easily gone against them on another day.

The first fifteen minutes of the second half saw Rangers almost score four times - and they really should've scored twice from two successive corners but for some smart keeping from Joe Hart. Funnily enough, it was a mistake that handed them the winner and the third. How the tables turn - but even Tavernier's second came from poor defending.

Fantastic full-backs

Alistair Johnston and Greg Taylor; take a bow.

On a day where Aaron Mooy and Cameron Carter-Vickers were nowhere near to performing at their best, it left a few more defensive holes than Postecoglou would've ideally liked.

But the two full-backs, especially Johnston on his home Old Firm debut, was imperious in defence. The amount of times Ryan Kent or Malik Tillman broke free down the left-hand flank only for the Canadian to shield the ball out of play before starting an attack was impressive.

VAR escape...

For all of Johnston's great defensive actions, he was found lacking in the first half when Alfredo Morelos tucked home from a corner after escaping Johnston's clutch.

The goal should have stood - the Canadian went down relatively easily, and Morelos was extremely unfortunate not only for the goal to be ruled out, but more so for the goal to have been ruled out by VAR. It's not the worst decision I've ever seen in my life, but it does rank up there as one of the softer goals that have been ruled out since VAR was introduced in Scotland.

It could've painted a picture for a much different game, had Rangers taken the lead. But not that Celtic will care - the result has gone increasingly in their favour.

READ NEXT:

- Chris Sutton insists Rangers fear Celtic star as he reveals title setbacks Ange Postecoglou can 'afford'

- John Bennett new Rangers chairman as Douglas Park steps down amid relentless success pursuit mantra

- Brian Laudrup on the Rangers psychological blow Michael Beale must land on Celtic

- Rangers told how to hurt Celtic as Hoops hero offers a blueprint for success in derby

- Allan McGregor new Rangers deal decision laid bare as veteran keeper reveals 3 key factors

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