Seven years ago today Neil Lennon’s new look Celtic side handed Rangers (IL) a footballing lesson.
It was a roller coaster first season in charge for the Irishman as he came to terms with rebuilding the hoops against Walter Smith’s EBT fuelled stars.
Since the opening Glasgow derby fixture, when Willie Collum gave a penalty with his back turned to the play, the hoops had been to Ibrox twice and showed that there was no inferiority complex.
A double from Georgios Samaras earned an unexpected win before New Year while Chris Commons and Scott Brown netted in an epic cup tie with a memorable replay a fortnight away.
On this day in 2011, Celtic beat Rangers 3-0. @HOOP588 scores a double with Commons grabbing the other. Hooper’s first is a top drawer team goal. pic.twitter.com/FMLeidl1to
— CelticLisboa (@CelticLisboa) February 20, 2018
On a sunny Sunday lunchtime Celtic Park was packed with expectation with the hoops flying out the traps to deliver in style.
Within half an hour a double from Gary Hooper had put Celtic in front, there should have been more but there was ‘only’ a Kris Commons goal to celebrate after the break.
There was no title to celebrate at the end of the season but a marker had been put down and the future was most certainly Green and White.