5 talking points as Celtic destroy ragged Rangers in demolition derby to storm five points clear

Sizzling Celtic ripped rivals Rangers apart with a derby day demolition at pumped-up Parkhead as Ange Postecoglou’s relentless champions moved five points clear of the Ibrox men to give them the perfect boost going into their Champions League showdown against Real Madrid.

Liel Abada netted a dream double either side of an exquisite Jota strike as the champions were three goals to good at the break to leave Giovanni van Bronckhorst shellshocked in a repeat of his first dug-out appearance in the east end of Glasgow back in February . Substitute David Turnbull added a fourth after a Jon McLaughlin howler.

And the Dutchman will have to pick up his depleted troops ahead of their own return to European football’s biggest stage away to Ajax on Wednesday. They already face a big ask in clawing back Celtic who are going to take some stopping on this form with a tricky trip to Aberdeen to come.

Postecoglou went with an attacking line-up as Liel Abada was given the nod ahead of Daizen Maeda while the visitors went with the experienced Steven Davis in the middle of the park.

Celtic were dealt a huge early blow when talisman Kyogo was forced off with less than five minutes on the clock with a shoulder injury but the champions strength in depth was underlined when the Japanese international was replaced with Giorgos Giakoumakis.

And it wasn’t long until Parkhead erupted as the home side grabbed an early lead. It was down to the quick thinking of the Hoops as Jota took a quick throw - disputed by the Gers players who felt the ball came off a Celtic player last - to Matt O’Riley and his cross found Abada whose shot squirmed past McLaughlin’s despairing hand.

O’Riley then picked out Giakoumakis with an inch perfect cross but the