Celtic cruised past Rangers to win 3-0 at Parkhead with a superb first-half display that could prove crucial in the race for the Scottish Premiership title. Both John Hartson and Chris Sutton reacted after full-time.
Coming into the game, both sides were missing key players – though Rangers led the Premiership by two points. The gap had been closed on Sunday; Celtic beat Dundee United and Rangers drew with Ross County.
It was new signing Reo Hatate that was the star of the show. He opened the scoring early on, his second goal for the Hoops with a deflected effort from the edge of the area. He made it two not long after, putting Celtic in control.
From that point in, the Hoops never looked like losing and a third went in before half-time – through winger Liel Abada, his 13th goal of the season. A brilliant win, and both Hartson and Sutton reacted on Twitter.
Hartson chose to heap praise on Tottenham Hotspur loanee Cameron Carter-Vickers as well as Japan international Hatate, who has been a breath of fresh air since his move from Japan at the start of the January window.
Meanwhile, Sutton picked out five players for praise – including Josip Juranovic, Giorgos Giakoumakis and midfielder Matt O’Riley. A stunning win for Celtic, and a massive step towards the Scottish Premiership title.
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