Celtic have taken a huge step towards the Scottish Premiership title with a 3-2 win over Rangers on Saturday.
Ange Postecoglou’s Hoops moved 12 points clear at the top of the table thanks to the win at Parkhead.
Kyogo Furuhashi was the star of the show for Celtic, registering a brace for the Premiership runaway leaders.
Furuhashi and Alfredo Morelos had early goals disallowed, before the Bhoys ace went on to break the deadlock on 26 minutes.
Matt O’Riley squared the ball for his unmarked teammate to control swivel towards goal, and rifle home from close range.
However, Rangers equalised just before the break, James Tavernier scoring with a free kick that went in off the post.
Celtic retook the lead just after the hour. Ben Davies failed to clear Jota’s cross and it fell to Kyogo for a simple finish.
Another Rangers mistake saw the Hoops build up a two-goal lead.
Jota pounced on John Souttar’s poor backpass, beat Allan McGregor to the ball and slotted home from a tight angle.
Although Tavernier scored again with his 100th goal for his club, Celtic managed to hold on for all three points.
Obviously Kyogo was the standout for Celtic, while Jota also got on the scoresheet and played well.
However, other Hoops players who might’ve gone a bit more under the radar deserve praise too.
The likes of Callum McGregor, Carl Starfelt, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Greg Taylor all shone.
Then we have Alistair Johnston, a player who has quickly made a name for himself at Parkhead.
The 24-year-old only linked up with Celtic at the start of 2023, but he’s been making waves in green and white.
‘Seems to show up every time’
Johnston dazzled in the derby, earning himself 8 out of 10 from the likes of the Daily Record and Glasgow Live.
‘Heading for cult status at Celtic,’ wrote the former.
‘He can be a bit rough and ready and there are few nearby moments. But he got tore in and the fans lapped it up.’
Meanwhile, the latter wrote: ‘Hasn’t played too many of these derby matches but seems to show up every time.
‘Put himself about and his timing in the tackle was excellent.
‘Reads the game well, too, and shackled Ryan Kent and Malik Tillman well.’
Johnston also clocked up some impressive statistics, as per Whoscored.com.
Defensively, he registered four tackles, four interceptions and three blocks.
Johnston also completed three dribbles and delivered seven long balls and one cross.
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