It was a generous gift to give at this festive time of year. But, like all good presents, Saturday’s barnstormer of an Old Firm derby does require some fairly serious unpacking.
First and foremost, Celtic’s 2-1 win should at least allow a bit of perspective to prevail at one end of Glasgow and, by opening up an eight point lead at the top of the table, it will most certainly provide Brendan Rodgers with some badly needed breathing space at a critical moment in his first season back in charge.
It was only a couple of weeks ago, after all, that the most entitled element at the core of this club was threatening to turn full scale against the manager, while posturing mutinously towards the directors box at the same time.
Sack the board. Sack the boss. In the furious aftermath of that home defeat to Hearts on December 16 they would have chased Hoopy the Huddle Hound down London Road so utterly consumed had they become with a sense of eye popping panic at the very thought of failing to win a 13th title in 14 years.