Dembele hat-trick leads Celtic to big Old Firm win over Rangers
A hat-trick from stand-in striker Moussa Dembele gave Celtic a comfortable win in the first Old Firm league derby in over four years.
A Moussa Dembele hat-trick led Celtic to a resounding 5-1 win over Rangers at Parkhead this afternoon, the first Old Firm derby in over four years.
The first Old Firm hat-trick in 33 years
Dembele was named in the starting line-up after first-choice striker Leigh Griffiths tore a hamstring against Aberdeen two weeks ago but the debutant took full advantage of his opportunity, becoming the first player to score an Old Firm hat-trick in over 30 years. Ally McCoist was the last player to do so, in the 1983 League Cup final.
The Frenchman headed in the opener on 34 minutes before a fine solo effort put Celtic two up just before half-time. Joe Garner’s goal got Rangers on the score sheet in the 45th minute but Scott Sinclair quickly restored Celtic’s two-goal lead.
Dembele rounded off his hat-trick in the 84th minute shortly after Rangers centre-back Philippe Senderos was given his marching orders for inexplicably punching the ball away after a mistimed jump.
Stuart Armstrong scored Celtic’s fifth in stoppage time with a fine angled shot past the outstretched arm of Rangers goalkeeper Wes Foderingham.
‘An outstanding team performance,' says Rodgers
Celtic coach Brendan Rodgers, managing in his first Old Firm game since taking over at Parkhead in the summer, was delighted with the result: “It was an outstanding team performance and a great day for the club,” he said after the final whistle. “It was a very dominant performance and I thought we showed a lot of great traits.”
Warburton: 'We’ve got to be better than that'
Rangers manager Mark Warburton, however, was clearly upset with the way his team had performed. “I’m obviously disappointed but that’s not strong enough in terms of a description,” he said. “We've got to be better than that. Good players make good decisions and too many times today we made poor decisions in possession.”
Celtic stay top of the Scottish Premiership
The result leaves Celtic in a commanding position at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a 100% record and a four point lead over Rangers with a game in hand.