Reo Hatate the hero as Celtic reach summit by humbling tired Rangers

When Reo Hatate's race was run, the Japanese midfielder slowly made his way pitch-side at Celtic Park then turned and gently bowed to the stadium, a gesture of gratitude for the thunderous ovation he was receiving.

So giddy were the home fans by that point that it wouldn't have been a surprise had all 60,000 of them bowed right on back. Frankly, had they simultaneously genuflected and offered up thanks for Hatate and the man who brought him into their world, Ange Postecoglou, it would hardly have been a shock.

Hatate scored two goals and assisted with a third for Liel Abada against Rangers before taking his leave. His class going forward was enough for the home support, but when it's coupled with a desire to work back and assist his defenders then you're into a different realm of player adoration.

Old Firm games are supposed to be anxious affairs for newcomers but Hatate made light of that notion. When they turned off the disco lights, he illuminated the place and he wasn't alone.

This was a rout with many moving parts. Josip Juranovic, Matt O'Riley and Abada did such a tag-teaming number on poor Borna Barisic that the Croatian was taken off at half-time. When Postecoglou said it would be unfair to single out any one player in this pummelling of Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side, he was correct, but he did it anyway. He had some special words for Hatate.

It was the comment about his player still having a way to go to find full fitness that made you think. If this is him not at full throttle, what's he going to be like at maximum pelt? What are Celtic going to produce when Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi eventually get to play in the same team? Celtic still haven't had their best team on the pitch.

You could say this game was won