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Neil McCann's analysis on Sportscene suggests it was tactical.

Maurice Ross speaks surprisingly well. He's a coach at Motherwell now I learned, which didn't prevent him stating he wants Rangers to win the league, live on BBC Scotland radio, that's got to be off the roster of guests now surely... I was interested to hear him and Stewart describe us as a counter attacking side. I suppose against sides that attack us we are, but we so rarely play against teams like that I don't think of us as that type of side. I think the truth is we can play in many ways. We can keep possession for long periods and control matches and we can also sit deeper and attack at pace when the opportunity offers itself. The comment about our midfielders never needing to run, simply always jogging as their positional play is so good was also interesting. We didn't dominate possession on Saturday, Celtic had more of it albeit in areas they couldn't hurt us. I wonder if that was tactical or just how the game panned out. Who cares, we won!!

The man himself confirmed this on Twitter. Duffy tweeted a Brighton fan to say Celtic were paying all his wages. I had heard it was 45k but I don't know. Duffy played 91 games in the EPL over three seasons and, on paper, looked a good signing. In that context, you have to give credit to our scouts who unearthed Filip Helander from mid table Serie A at the beginning of last season. Winning the recruitment battle is a huge part of overtaking Celtic and establishing ourselves as the best team in the country again.

This is a difficult one. Goaldson was immense, as was Helander. I think each of the midfield three set the tone for the match; any one could get MotM. I think I'll go with Kamara: I thought he encapsulated what we did well: positionally sound, disciplined, strong in the tackle, never gave the ball away and used it well, and was not averse to driving forward with it when the situation presented itself.

It is really quite simple, if Rangers are ahead the league is null and void. If bheasts are ahead then they are awarded another tainted title.

Comedy Gold on Phone-in tonight ?

I don't care if it was seven breakaways. Bed. Now. No biscuits.

I think we need to get used to the fact there isn't a 'first choice' eleven players any more. Certain positions will retain more consistency than others but most will have routine unenforced changes so we can cover a heavy rota of games without over-taxing players. Expect Iannis Hagi to start on Thursday.

Tiny is an amazing woman - one of the kindest people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Generations of her family have worked for the club for over 100 years. So sad to see her a shadow of her former self. But look at the simple joy on her face when Goldson sticks that second in. The stories she has about the club are very much worth listening as she has had multiple jobs at the club, her club, she loves the Rangers that is for sure.

Brown assault on Barasic, which has gone largely unmentioned. https://streamable.com/w0y2km

Here we go, @DMAA:

Tactics, schmactics; work rate, positional play, blah, blah, blah.... The fact is that our centre back scored both goals in a 2 - 0 victory at the fhilth pit. So, step up Connor Lambert Goalmachine.

Can you only vote once? ? Voted for Glenn Kamara as he was outstanding. However, could easily have voted for Goldson or Helander. No failures in the team or the subs that came on.

Any other day Goldson would be m.o.t.m by a country mile for his contribution in beating them but unfortunately he was a very near second to Glen Kamara who was immense.

He has to stick by him because he has only just signed him. I’m sure he is decent technically but they will be far more vulnerable away from home with this guy playing than Taylor, who for all the stick he gets is actually a good defender.

It's a no brainer defender scores two to beat our biggest rivals he's defending at one end and doing the job that our front men should be doing scoring goals

I’m hearing they’re paying his entire £50k p.w. Brighton wage plus a loan fee for his services this season. Doesnt look great value does it ?

Compare his linkup play for us compared Klimala for them. Night and day.

It's good to see that posters are agreeing with what I suggested in a few of my posts that Alfie is playing in a different way to that of of previous seasons.?

We learned a few things yesterday. Firstly the players Celtic had missing. I think it's true, they certainly weren't able to play their first choice starting 11 and in Christie, Eduarde and Julien that's 3 important players for them who'd almost certainly have started. But here's the thing many pundits seem to be missing; football is a squad game and Celtic's squad is not as deep as Rangers now. I'm not sure how that happened, or when it happened, but somehow what felt like a chasmic gap in squad quality has not only been bridged but been overtaken. Someone at our club deserves enormous praise for that and someone at Celtic's needs laughed at. How they've blown the serious financial advantage they still have over us is bewildering. But yesterday laid bare the reality of our squad. Had Rangers lost our first choice striker and leading creative force and second striker how would we have reacted. Well, we of course were missing our first choice striker in Roofe, so Morelos steps in. Had Morelos been injured Itten or Defoe would have played instead. That's decent depth in anyone's book. The guy Celtic had upfront looked poor yesterday. Apparently he's new and it would be foolish of me to write him off based on one match, he might still come good, but he looked a long way short of the quality Eduarde has. For me Kent is probably more valuable to our team as Christie is to theirs. Let's be blunt, losing Kent would hurt us. He's been in great form this season, his running with the ball, his speed on the break, his work rate and his quality would be missed. How would we replace him? Jones, Hagi and Barker are the obvious replacements. None are as good as Kent and all have their weaknesses, but all know our system and have played in it, successfully, this season already. As for the centre-half if we lost say Goldson then Balogun would have played. He's looked pretty handy when he's played and while I'm not sure he's as good as Goldson he's not some kid from the reserves getting thrown in. And of course Katic, arguably our second choice centre-half, is already out injured. The other player they've spoken about is Forrest. Again a regular starter when fit. Fair enough, but we went into that match without Aribo a highly creative player and an almost certain starter had he not picked up an injury. So yes, Celtic missing key players undoubtedly gave us an advantage, but their inability to replace those players adequately is the real story here. I was fortunate enough to read the book 50 Greatest Rangers Games recently (buy it, it's excellent) and one of the things that struck me was how often a Walter Smith side, shorn of the big important players through injury or suspension, was able to get a result in an important match. Had Celtic, reigning Champions with home advantage, been able to get even a draw yesterday it would have been a big psychological victory for them. As it was they were made to look average and they know it. They've shown in previous seasons they can regroup and bounce back from defeats, but for some reason this felt different. We didn't celebrate like we'd won something tangible, in reality it was only 3 points, albeit an important 3, trooped off with big smiles but there was none of the over exuberance of previous victories over Celtic, nothing for Celtic's management team to pin on their noticeboard to motivate their squad. Celtic fans have turned on their manager, this result didn't seem to be a big surprise to them. Apparently their form has been poor this season, their new players haven't gelled and they've struggled anytime they've played someone good. Maybe. Their late goals in a match a few weeks ago felt to me like they still knew how to win when playing badly, something we're still to master, so the next few weeks will be interesting. Whatever happens yesterday felt different, like beating them wasn't the pinnacle of our ambition anymore. Lastly the lack of a home support. The referee was put under a lot of pressure before the match by Celtic leaning people. Apparently he's a big bluenose, not something anyone who has watched him referee us in the past would have realised. However, less than subtle pressure was applied pre-match and any dubious call by the ref would be getting the Sportscene treatment for sure. In the end the ref had a decent match and I think this is partly down to the absence of 60,000 people screaming every time Morelos challenges for a ball. Whatever anyone says I think the home support do influence, however involuntary, the ref and linesmen. I think the home side get most of the 50/50 calls and clashes between players seem worse when there's a baying mob screaming for justice. But without the baying mob the refereeing seems better I think. There are still mistakes of course, but by and large the players seem to accept the decisions more too. Without the loud backing of myopic hordes calling for everything, Celtic in particular looked a lot less aggressive than usual. This suits us because we're not a physical team, we aim to play football on the ground, and a stop start niggly match doesn't help us. Anyway, let's enjoy the victory and the manner of it. Had we put 4 past them, and that's certainly what I was screaming for midway through the 2nd half, that might have forced Celtic to do something. As it is a 2-0 win can be excused, explained away by injuries and Covid isolation and so hopefully nothing will change down Parkhead way. It's good to be a bluenose this weekend.

I thought this aspect of his performance was quite superb yesterday. You just have to look at his role in the second goal to see the benefit of a fully engaged Alfredo. He's probably not going to score as many goals as he did but he now looks part of the team rather than just a solo artist.

For God’s sake, man, I’m still trying to forget.

Yes, but what I mean is they have scored about the same as us but according to this, their expected goals must be lower than ours. As I understand it, if you are outperforming your expected goals and assists you are probably getting a bit lucky, and it will eventually even itself out. Conversely, our actual goals probably don’t do us justice. Which makes sense given Morelos and others have wasted very good chances. All that to say, it is very good to see that our expected assists and goals are higher than theirs (at least for their main men, it bodes well.

Thanks I hadn’t seen that. That account is brilliant for these stats. Hagi’s stats are quite incredible. And more recently I’ve felt he has been more consistent throughout the game, against Galatasaray he was really good throughout whereas in many league games he actually hasn’t been very impressive but then pops up with an assist.

Here's another interesting one:

I also recently saw a stat about 'key passes', or something similar: The second highest in the league was on something like 0.42 per 90, but Hagi was on 0.84!!

I would actually say back 5. Strange though that sounds. Because, little though McGregor had to do.... if he doesnt come out and close that angle when Griffiths is put through, and force him wide, then it is almost certainly a goal which leads to a much more nervy end to the game at 2-1.

It looks like that's the only hurdle left between us and the league title. Not just whether or not we can put together a winning run but whether they will start dropping points where they previously didn't.

completely agree mate. What i will say is while we are great in europe and great in these games. Celtc still steamroll the dross in a way we can't so far match. we could take 9 of the of points this year and lose the league if that keeps up.

£5 million on Barkas and we have THREE better keepers, all of whom cost us nothing. And, to that point, Barkas WILL cost them more points this season. Forster was outstanding for them last year - with Barkas they will lose more goals and more points. Pivotal area of the team and one in which they have significantly downgraded.

I suppose it could also be said you can only piss with the one you've got in the grand sheme of the premiership palace Burnley etc are small fish and have to scrape for every point and at the day's end it's all about survival

Mate, the word on the street is that for one season he is costing them £4 million - it was, apparently, a £2 million loan fee plus his £50k a week wages. Seemingly Brighton can't believe that anyone would have given them a loan fee for Duffy

I had a post on this a few weeks ago. The expected goals stats tell the same story, which proves it is no fluke. These are very good signs. And you have to give a bit of credit to Hibs, they have a go on their own ground unlike others. I don't know what Celtic's stats are like, but I know they broke their record for the lowest ever expected goals when they dropped points to Kilmarnock.

Couple of interesting points from Saturday ; - not one of our summer signings started the game. - If Celtic hadn't insisted in getting the game moved back to October (assuming they'd have fans in attendance - accommodated by the "random" fixture generator) then they'd have had a fully fit squad to pick from ?

Most will disagree but I think Itten should get a run in the team. We haven’t seen a huge amount of him, but he’s been better than Morelos in his last few appearances and deserves a chance before he is competing with Roofe too.

Letting them have the ball in that area actually compounds their frustration and, imo, has a big impact psyhcologically. As soon as you saw them pinging passes out of play under next to no pressure you knew their heads were gone and we were winning the game.

Strange season. Villa beat Leicester away, ‘Spurs 3-0 up but Hammers score three in the last eight minutes.

Well said Ted

I was copied into a text today from a close friend who had discussed yesterday's match with a Rangers Legend. I quote "We battered them with 9 men. Morelos and Barker didn't turn up" I was slightly put out by that and when I watched the whole match today again, free of the angst and tension of it in live time, I paid particular attention to the 2 "accused". Morelos far from being posted missing was an absolute colossus. He worked tirelessly in the wider ares of the front line, his link up play and first touch was superb. His play stretched their back 3 and, in particular, he harassed Duffy and Brown in equal measure throughout. Sure, he plays on the edge and he had a number of sly kicks at both, but Brown has being doing this for years in OF games without any reprisal. The difference yesterday was the referee could not be influenced by 60 thousand racist bigots. Alfie played to instruction yesterday, it's a different role and as Bill says he's no longer a solo artist but a huge team player. He was first to join the goal celebrations and relished his role. When he is finally booked, look at the reaction he drew from that plank Duffy (who was hopeless at both goals conceded) he had wound him up so much! Turning to Barker, I concede he played a more subdued role but he worked tirelessly up and down, providing cover when needed in the wide areas. He was subbed after second goal, but that was tactical to shore up our lead rather than lack of effort. Now, the Legend may know more about the game than I ever will, but that game was not won by only having 9 payers on the pitch. Every one of the original 11 played their part, it was a great team performance, fully engaged and deployed by our coaching staff. One final reflection, anyone else notice when cameras panned to the benches our coaching team huddled in tactical discussion while in contrast Lennon sat socially distanced from everybody? What's that about? ?

Lay off Alfie he is an important member of our team as he is now obviously playing to instructions.It matters not to me if he is not scoring and plays as part of the build up to goals as we have them coming from all areas.

Yesterday, was an emotional roller coaster. Like most of you, I spent the early afternoon shouting at a TV screen? I thought we played within ourselves, kept it relatively simple in allowing the Yahoos penetration on either flanks, but ensuring they turned back before crossing. Thus, we ensured they played in front of us. They did not get in behind and I think McGregor only had two cross balls to deal with in the match. Kamara was my man of the match, he epitomised the above paragraph. When we moved forward, we did so quickly. Often, it was two or three fast passes, and we were in? A better final ball and the victory would have been more comfortable. I am apprehensive about saying this, so I will mention it quietly. I suspect our players know they have the beating of that shower? Thus, they did enough, knowing another important Europa Cup game occurs midweek. My highlight of the game was Connor Goldson’s second, having the awareness to play a one-two wall pass off Duffy, before slotting home. It’s good, Connor has revealed Duffy’s purpose. My advice Gersnetters, enjoy the next couple of months before we beat them again.

His link-up play was superb yesterday: one touch around the corner, several times, onto Tavernier or Kent. You want to see him back on the scoresheet, but he's clearly doing the job asked, IMO. (Saying that, I think Roofe replaces him when he's fit.) He lost his rag after a foul he committed - I don't know why he lost it; it was perhaps a tad late, nothing more. After that he was far too aggressive. He cooled down second half, IMO.

Win , loss and draw away in 1997 2 in a row Sept 1960 (LC & L) 2 in a row Season 1963/64 2 in a row Season 1968/69 3 in a row Aug 91 to Sept 92 2 in a row Jan 94 Oct 94 2 in a row Sept 95 (LC & L ) Quite a few runs before that especially if you count Glasgow and Merchants Charity cups.

Listen to Neil McCann (and I can't believe I'm typing this) and Michael Stewart analysis on Sportscene. They perfectly detail how Rangers made Celtic look abject, and how we play a system that all the players are comfortable in. Whilst given recent chasings we've given them, Celtic are trying new systems that doesn't suit their players. Neil McCann summed it up perfectly - we totally negated them, were in completely control without having to be "outstanding". If we had opened up and chased more goals, that would have been Celtics only chance to get back into the game. We managed the 94mins perfectly. We surrendered the ball in their half, didn't go for the quick press and were happy with them knocking the ball about in their own half. Masterful tactical performance which may have not been the high octane play we are used to, but it worked an absolute treat. Seriously, enjoy the victory, enjoy the aftermath and maybe watch it again to appreciate how good a performance it was.