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Celtic humiliate Rangers 5-1 to equal their biggest victory at Ibrox

Celtic celebrate after Callum McGregor scored their third against Rangers.
Celtic celebrate after Callum McGregor scored their third against Rangers. Photograph: Craig Watson/PA

In a five-year period that has encompassed administration, liquidation, Saturday afternoons in the company of Albion Rovers and even a 5-1 trouncing at Celtic Park, nothing has wounded the Rangers support as much as this. Make that 16-4 on aggregate to Celtic from six Old Firm fixtures this season, and in the last one a record: the scoring of five at this venue.

As Celtic swaggered around Ibrox – on and off the field – suddenly the full extent of Rangers’ woes reappeared in sharp focus. This green and white party was too much for some, even at a time in the campaign when this result had very little bearing on league matters.

One fan had to be forcibly removed from the pitch after accosting the Celtic captain, Scott Brown, as others reverted to prehistoric verse. The Brown incident, which occurred after goal No1, should lead to scrutiny of Ibrox security given the distance travelled by the spectator at far more of a stagger than a sprint. Scottish football’s lame approach to such affairs means Rangers will probably be spared any penalty.

Missiles were hurled at celebrating Celtic players and one Brain of Britain contender was captured on television making monkey gestures at Scott Sinclair after the game’s opening goal. Rangers said they do “not condone any form of unacceptable behaviour”, which is all well and good, but here we are in 2017 and the message is not getting through. The claiming of moral high ground is a seriously tricky business where these sets of fans are concerned but how Rangers conceded territory in this lunchtime kick-off.

Embarrassment in the stands was matched only by the woeful standards produced by Rangers on it. “I’m ashamed to be part of a performance like that,” said Kenny Miller. At 37, the Rangers captain looks his team’s best player.

It would be comical if there were not such a depressing undertone: this scene of Rangers and their very serious, historic sense of entitlement, which triggers such venom as Celtic revel in a position of vast superiority. A notably intense, nasty, opening-half atmosphere subsided only when apathy set in.

The latter sentiment at least was perfectly understandable, with Rangers supporters having no reason whatsoever to believe either in those on the board who took over the club with grand promises that have amounted to very little, or a batch of average players and a coaching team who collectively fail to convince. Rangers’ decision to part company with Mark Warburton in February has not been endorsed by events since.

“That was totally my responsibility,” said Pedro Caixinha, Warburton’s successor. The Portuguese manager spoke of his anger and asked onlookers to “recognise the gap” between his club and Celtic. It may only be partly disrespectful to suggest that chasm is actually responsible for Caixinha being in position.

As Rangers once again contemplate an uncertain future – what will come first, audited accounts or a title tilt? – Celtic deserve immense credit for their relentless touch. The terrific Ibrox surface even seemed to assist Celtic’s style as, it has to be said, did Caixinha deploying two forwards from the outset rather than adopting an approach of containment.

Only woeful shooting prevented them from scoring umpteen goals in the first 45 minutes alone. Sinclair sent Celtic in front from the spot after Myles Beerman crazily upended Patrick Roberts with the winger posing no danger whatsoever, before Leigh Griffiths collected a Stuart Armstrong pass and blasted home No2. Griffiths hit the crossbar and Sinclair missed two glaring opportunities as Rangers desperately and unsuccessfully grasped for air.

Callum McGregor, Celtic’s standout player, produced his team’s third. Dedryck Boyata was the unlikely scorer of the fourth from a fine Griffiths free-kick. Miller’s consolation – which was also cheered from the Celtic end – mattered even less than at the time as Mikael Lustig showed the finishing instincts of a forward rather than a full-back from 18 yards.

“My only disappointment is that we should have scored more,” Brendan Rodgers said. “When I first came in, I said the season doesn’t finish until the very last whistle. I’m trying to create a squad and a team and a club that goes beyond our domestic football and that’s about a mentality. I think this game told you everything about their mentality.”

For the record, Celtic are 36 points clear of Rangers with four matches to play. It is approaching the point where an Ibrox revolution will be necessary. Again.