Before the match there was a lot of concern among Celtic supporters but it was always tempered with the knowledge that if we turn up and play they won’t be able to live with us.
Moussa Dembele’s late and acrimonious departure didn’t help matters but with the same XI that won 5-0 in the last encounter there was a feeling of reassurance.
Celtic started well and it was quickly obvious that there was next to nothing of an attacking threat from the visitors, Willie Collum would be Celtic’s toughest opponent.
As the first half developed the chances started to fall with Katic grappling with Ajer while McGregor decided to act more crudely to hold off the young Norwegian.
Just past the hour mark the magic moment arrived- a goal that summarised in full Celtic’s attacking options as Rogic ran 70 yards before an exchange of passes set up Ntcham to score the only goal of the game.
McGregor continued to be the busier keeper, there was barely a token response from Sevco as Celtic held on to finish a difficult period by reinforcing their dominance in Glasgow and laying down a marker for the remainder of the domestic campaign.
BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY
There’s not been much to celebrate at the start of the season but the players were certainly entitled to celebrate after Sunday’s victory.
No one failed, no one slipped up, there were no passengers on board as a signal of intent was sent out that boosted the champions and delivered a dull reality check to the gullible.
The scoreline wasn’t as eye-catching as the 5-0 title clincher in April but they football was sharp and incisive, putting Sevco on the back-foot and decisive when it mattered.
GOOOOOOOOAL!!!!!
What a strike, he kept a few paces behind Tom Rogic as he went box to box then continued his run as the Australian passed the ball to Odsonne Edouard.
The next bit was the clever part as he kept on running with James Forrest laying it on a plate for the Frenchman who drilled the ball into the net without fuss.
It was the Celtic midfield working at it’s best, working together with pace and precision then finishing off with style as Ntcham made the breakthrough.
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST
Another one discovers who is the boss in this city with Stevie Gee following the path of Warbo, Pedro and Murto.
All of them have talked the talk then slipped away with a five goal drubbing on their CV, if Gerrard suffers likewise this season it is hard to see him bucking the trend and bouncing back.
Rodgers has got the measure of this fixture, he was under pressure going into the game, some Celtic fans were starting to doubt his judgement. He got it spot on, 10 wins and two draws is a fantastic derby record/
SKIPPER
Like his manager there has been a few critical comments about the performance of the Celtic skipper.
Another much vaunted midfield has been assembled at Ibrox with the express wish of putting Broony on his a!!!! Again they failed.
Collum and Lafferty combined to produce an early yellow card byut he steered clear of all future attempts to sledge him, dominated the centre of the park giving his younger team-mates the chance to race up the park and get the goal that mattered.
YIPPEE
Ollie does enjoy a goal celebration, in recent times there has been memorable images from his goals against Motherwell, Rosenborg and now Sevco.
It was quite a run that he put in, the finish was precise and the celebration acrobatic.
When it comes to spending big money Rodgers knows the market well with the French u-21 midfielder worth every penny of his £4.5m transfer fee and likely to recoup at least three times that fee when he is sold.
HIGH FIVES
The midfield makes Celtic tick with balance essential.
McGregor doesn’t produce the trickery of Scott Sinclair but he understands the game and the specific demands of this fixture.
Every player across the middle understands exactly what is expected of them, with McGregor capable of switching effortlessly and effectively.
REALITY SUCKS
The wheels started to come off as three goals were shipped at Fir Park, yesterday reality really kicked in after two months of the soft soap treatment.
Allan McGregor was mainly responsible for getting them through to the group phase of the Europa League, in front of him little has changed despite another substantial summer spend.
Gerrard may have half a team, they may be able to compete for second place but with a rookie boss now in the spotlight it’s not going to get any easier- those Europa League Thursday’s could come at a terrible price to domestic hopes.
ACCLAIM
Not quite the traditional Broony but the Fifer continues to cast an incredible influence over this fixture.
Although he has a quality support cast as team-mates I would never want to go into this fixture without our influential number eight.
Fortunately he can now grab a little rest, there are 11 days to go until the visit to St Mirren and the chance to build some momentum and see how Hearts handle the pressure.
THAT SINKING FEELING
They were supposed to strike fear into Celtic’s soft centre but offered nothing as a threat other than through a barrage of niggly fouls- although Lafferty’s early stamp on Lustig was more than niggly.
Lustig coped easily with the high diagonal balls aimed at the former Hearts striker while Boyata and Ajer dealt comfortably with Morelos snapping around their ankles and throwing himself to the deck.
Both ‘strikers’ have signed new contracts in the last fortnight, with only Roma flop Umar Sadiq providing competition this is as good as it’s going to get for Gerrard in terms of strikers.
ALMOST THERE
This was close and not the sitter that some made it out to be.
There wasn’t much on the cross, he did well to connect and get something on goal with McGregor producing a shoy save as he pushed the ball away for a corner.
This was Edouard’s first start in six matches, he lasted the pace well and played a very important role in the crucial goal, there’s lots more to come from the club’s most expensive signing.