It's now all about how Celtic react.We were battered 5-1 at Ibrox but still went on to win the Treble. I wouldn't be surprised if that was the outcome again this season

This can be forgotten blip in memorable year

- CHRIS SUTTON

BRENDAN RODGERS said in the build-up there is no such thing as a dead rubber derby in Glasgow.

It turns out Rangers played like it was one at Ibrox - and so did Celtic.

This edition had shades of the Michael Beale 3-0 win after Ange Postecoglou had wrapped up the title a few years ago.

The difference is Celtic haven't yet crossed the Premiership finishing line this year.

In fact, there's still a long way to go. We're only halfway there, for goodness sake.

Celtic have a huge 11-point lead, and no one really expects them to lose it from here.

But this is perhaps a bit of a kick up the backside that can sometimes come in handy. Yes, Rangers were good. They totally deserved their victory and you have to give them credit.

That's back-to-back games against Celtic where they've scored three goals and that must be a concern for Rodgers.

It's also easier to turn up when the pressure was off. Rangers simply had to beat St Mirren and Motherwell to have a chance of cutting the gap here.

Instead, they're further behind now than they were before the festive period and played Celtic like a side with nothing to lose.

At least they can start 2025 with an actual victory rather than a moral one - even if there's no trophy up for grabs. Joking aside, it was a strong Rangers performance and Celtic never laid a glove on their rivals.

Is it a major worry for supporters though? I wouldn't think so.

It was a bad day - a really bad day. I don't think a single Celtic player got pass marks apart from Cameron Carter-Vickers.