Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic once again underlined their Old Firm superiority as they claimed a 2-0 win over Rangers at Ibrox.

The Light Blues were under order to get in the faces of their bitter rivals and for 45 minutes they made the opening derby clash of the season a compelling watch.

But goals from Tom Rogic and Leigh Griffiths after the break swung the game decisively in the Parkhead outfit’s favour as they opened up an eight-point lead over Pedro Caixinha’s team.

What they said

Brendan Rodgers

Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha: “The team who made the least mistakes won. They were better than us as the game went on. We tried to take the game in the direction we wanted. In the first half it was a good football match. But two moments were crucial. The first was how we lost the opening goal and the second was not equalising when [Alfredo] Morelos had the chance.”

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers: “I thought defensively we were outstanding in terms of our pressing and denying them the opportunity to play. In games here you have to defend well and have good organisation. In the second half, our conditioning and quality of our players came through. It was a very, very good performance.”

Tweet of the match

Star man – Patrick Roberts

Patrick RobertsCeltic’s Patrick Roberts battles for the ball with Lee Hodson

Amid the usual blood and thunder of an Old Firm encounter, Rangers midfielder Josh Windass showed some lovely touches in the first half. However, Celtic winger Roberts gave the Gers defence, and especially Lee Hodson, a hard time in the first 45 minutes with his energy, pace and trickery and was involved in both goals, showing why Rodgers was so keen to bring him back from Manchester City on another loan spell.

Moment of the match

Rangers' Josh Windass collides with manager Pedro CaixinhaRangers’ Josh Windass collides with manager Pedro Caixinha

Windass had a nice early nutmeg on Celtic skipper Scott Brown but then inadvertently flattened Caixinha in the technical area after a crunching tackle by Celtic defender Mikael Lustig, leaving the Gers boss prostrate and looking up at Celtic counterpart Rodgers, a symbol of how the game ended.

View from the bench

Celtic's Scott Brown is guided down the tunnel after an argument with Rangers manager Pedro CaixinhaCeltic’s Scott Brown is guided down the tunnel after an argument with Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha

Celtic boss Rodgers had not been beaten by Rangers in the six previous meetings between the two sides and for most of the afternoon he personified calmness, standing with hands in pockets, taking it all in. Gers boss Caixinha, on the other hand, was a ball of fury, a jack-in-the box, barking instructions at his players and complaints at the officials. He also got involved with Celtic skipper Brown at the interval and must have been exhausted at the end.

Player ratings

Graham Dorrans

Rangers: Wes Foderingham 6 (out of 10), James Tavernier 5, Ross McCrorie 5, Fabio Cardoso 4, Lee Hodson 4, Ryan Jack 4, Graham Dorrans 4, Josh Windass 6, Daniel Candeias 4, Carlos Pena 4, Alfredo Morelos 5. Substitutes: Kenny Miller (on for Carlos Pena, 53) 5, Eduardo Herrera (on for Windass, 73) 4, Aaron Nemane (on for Candeias, 84) 4.

Celtic: Craig Gordon 6, Mikael Lustig 6, Jozo Simunovic 5, Dedryck Boyata 6, Kieran Tierney 7, Scott Brown 6, Stuart Armstrong 6, Patrick Roberts 8, Tom Rogic 7, Scott Sinclair 7, Leigh Griffiths 8. Substitutes: Callum McGregor (on for Tom Rogic, 63) 6, James Forrest (on for Patrick Roberts, 65) 6, Moussa Dembele (on for Leigh Griffiths, 80) 5.

Who’s up next?

Hamilton v Rangers, Ladbrokes Premiership (Friday, September 29)

Anderlecht v Celtic, Champions League (Wednesday, September 27)