While it did not make up for last season’s heartbreaks, Glasgow Rangers had some measure of revenge against Celtic yesterday in the Old Firm derby, with these video match highlights showing the great goals they scored against their Auld Enemy. The scoreline reflected Rangers’ dominance, but it also surprised many fans due to the apparent crisis and poor form that had stricken the club since pre season when they fell to a shock elimination from the UEFA Champions League to FBK Kaunas. But what might have surprised even more fans, especially those at Celtic Park, and Gordon Strachan, were the many uncharacteristic errors made by Celtic players. Without taking credit away from the Rangers players who deserved their reward for persistent effort and some measure of individual skill, the Celtic players were guilty of gifting at least two of the goals and pressing the self destruct button late in the match, which led to their downfall.

Celtic 0 Rangers 1: The pacy Daniel Cousin sped down the right wing and left Celtic’s Mark Wilson for dead, before squeezing in an immaculate shot through Artur Boruc’s near post.

Celtic 1 Rangers 1: Some comical defending by Rangers’ David Weir and Sasa Papac gifted a chance for Georgios Samaras, who could not miss from a yard or two.

Celtic 1 Rangers 2: Kenny Miller fires home a fantastic volley that bounced once on the ground before settling itself in the far corner of Boruc’s net.

Celtic 1 Rangers 3: Pedro Mendes, who put on a midfield masterclass, unleashed an unstoppable drive from 30 yards which left Boruc with no chance.

Celtic 1 Rangers 4: Boruc gifts a goal to Kenny Miller, who snapped it up after the Celtic custodian spilled a harmless looking cross.

Celtic 2 Rangers 4: Nakamura scored from a deflected free kick but it was much too little, too late.

When Cousin was sent off with the score at 3-1, Celtic were given a lifeline to get straight back into the match. But Vennegoor of Hesselink lost his cool and got sent off for a petulant kick at Broadfoot. Sending offs are common in Old Firm derbies, as teams are often consumed by the heated passion of the occasion and the baying of blood by both sets of fans. From then onwards, it was always going to be Rangers’ win. Boruc then capped off a personal nightmare when he conceded the late goal which summed up the whole Celtic performance.

What must be mentioned are Rangers manager Walter Smith’s astute late transfer signings Pedro Mendes and Steven Davis. The Portuguese international, especially, is providing some creative spark in the midfield despite it not being his specialty, as well as his class. Experience from the English Premier League has also enabled him to bed in fast, which no doubt has helped provide some stability for the Light Blues during a minor club crisis. The good days might not be back yet for Rangers, but if they can stay clear of injuries, things will improve soon. For Celtic, there is not much wrong with the current side, but they need to get some focus and hunger back, as they were decidedly second best on the day to their Old Firm rivals.