'Celtic make things happen. Rangers hope things happen'

"Celtic make things happen. Rangers hope things happen."

Former Ibrox striker Kris Boyd was scathing in his criticism after Philippe Clement's side were beaten 3-0 in the first Old Firm derby of the season.

Celtic went into the game as big favourites, and the reasons for that were laid bare in a contest that seemed all but over by half time.

Brendan Rodgers' side dominated in midfield, pressed relentlessly, and created chance after chance, as Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda ran riot in wide areas.

Maeda, Kyogo and Callum McGregor all found the back of the net on a day where difference between the sides was less a gap, more a chasm.

"Celtic are a very good team - they are in such a rich vein of form and they play with confidence, pace and energy," former Rangers striker Billy Dodds said on Sportsound.

"How many of that Rangers team get into that Celtic team?" Boyd asked on Sky Sports. "None. Not a single player.

"Rangers are in a battle to finish second. There's nothing there suggesting to me that Rangers are any better than the rest in the league at this moment in time."

Rodgers has a wonderful record against Rangers and hailed the performance of his side as they returned to the top of the Premiership.

They sit ahead of Aberdeen on goal difference and are five points clear of their Glasgow rivals after just four league games.

"In a lot of attacking moments, we were so exciting to watch," the Northern Irishman said.

"It's so early, but I'm pleased with the mentality of the squad. The football and intensity and the speed has been so pleasing."

McGregor's deflected strike put the icing on the cake for Celtic, but it was their first-half burst that effectively guaranteed the three points.

"When they play at that speed and tempo we witnessed in the first half, nobody in this country can deal with them," former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner said.

"Rangers got a lesson today, to be honest."

'Rangers couldn't handle it mentally or physically'

As good as Celtic were, Rangers were equally poor.

There was a lack of composure in and out of possession, as the visitors were overwhelmed by both their opponents and the occasion.

"They could not handle it mentally or physically," Dodds added. "That is worrying.

"James Tavernier had one of his worst days, for me. If you're a top defender with all those goals and assists, there shouldn't be a question asked about you.

"But there is. He found it really tough today. Maeda gave him such a hard time."

Rangers boss Philippe Clement was defiant post-match, choosing to focus on the positives he took from the game.

"We are a young team, only just together," the Belgian said. "The starting XI of Celtic have a lot of experience together.

"We have a lot of things to work on - we know. We knew that before the game already. In that way, it's positive there were good signs in the way we started, but there are also lots of details to work on."

Clement was asked if he believes his side can mount a serious title challenge on the evidence of that performance, and said he was "totally convinced" they can.

"It's 34 games to go," he countered. "Don't forget what happened last week [against Ross County]. It was the best result in around four years for the club.

"It's not black and white - it's grey, maybe dark grey.

"Nobody wants to lose 3-0 but we need to take the right conclusions. The right conclusion is we should have made it 3-2 or 3-3 by being more efficient.

"They had four shots on target, we had four shots on target. There are a lot of things equal but not the result."