Kyogo produces Celtic magic as Rangers and Michael Beale in turmoil after derby flop – 5 talking points

Derby specialist Kyogo struck against Rangers yet again to fire Celtic to a 1-0 victory in the first derby of the season as Brendan Rodgers made a winning return to the fixture to send the champions four points clear of their rivals.

The Irishman overcame personnel problems to land an early blow on rival Michael Beale with the Ibrox boss now coming under pressure as his new-look side went down despite a full house and virtually a full strength squad to choose from. Yet it might have been different after a hugely controversial first half moment when Kemar Roofe had a goal ruled out by referee Don Robertson after VAR intervention, ruling Cyriel Dessers had committed a foul in the build up.

But they didn’t do enough given the circumstances. Borna Barisic missed out after picking up an injury against PSV Eindhoven while the visitors had huge personnel problems with Nat Phillips not fit enough to make the game and the Hoops went with a central defence of Gustaf Lagerbielke and Liam Scales. Beale had urged his side to start fast and they almost had the dream opening when Rabbi Matondo thought he had scored inside a minute - but the offside flag cut the wild Ibrox celebrations short.

It was a cagey opening quarter of an hour with the home side enjoying most of the possession. But the visitors carved out a great chance that should have sen them draw first blood. Callum McGregor’s brilliant ball sent Liel Abada racing away down the right and he crossed for Kyogo who got in in front of Connor Goldson but Japan start, so deadly in this fixture, couldn’t provide the finish and the danger was cleared. At the other end Cyriel Dessers was a whisker away from getting on the end of James Tavernier’s cross, although the frontman was