Ange Postecoglou's Celtic have beaten arch-rivals Rangers 3-0 in Scotland's fabled Old Firm derby to seize top spot in the Scottish Premier League.
It was the Australian coach's first win over Rangers and the first time the club had won this historic clash in two years; a period in which Celtic's form was benchmarked against the rising Rangers, who handed the former European champions five losses and a draw.
The ex-Socceroos boss has rapidly changed the fortunes of the Scottish giants in his first season in charge, lured across the world from Japan's Yokohama F Marinos in the off-season after Celtic finished 25 points adrift of their main rivals last year.
And it was Postecoglou's familiarity with Asia's top talent that proved the difference, with recent Japanese signing Reo Hatate scoring a brace and setting up the third.
Celtic made their mark early, opening the scoring in just the fifth minute at a heaving Celtic Park when Hatate arrowed a Matt O'Riley corner into the top corner of the net — despite Rangers' complaints that the referee should have stopped the game for a possible head clash in the box.
The visitors' 40-year-old goalkeeper Allan McGregor made a couple of crucial saves in the first half, denying both Joao Pedro Jota and Georgios Giakoumakis in the 15th minute before the latter had two more chances saved just before the half-hour.
Rangers' only big chance was swiftly muffled by Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart who raced out to beat Scott Arfield to a Joe Aribo pass.
Hatate made Rangers pay for their ambition moments later, putting the Hoops two goals ahead in the 42nd minute.
Just before the break, the star signing delivered a glorious, curling cross from the left wing to set up Liel Abada, who sliced through Rangers' glacial defenders to volley into the net.
It was the first time Rangers had conceded three goals in back-to-back league games since 1986.
Manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst used the crisis moment to make a triple substitution at the break, including Manchester United loanee Amad Diallo, who spent the next 45 minutes looking as lost and shell-shocked as his new club were made to feel by the revitalised Celtic.
Aside from a handful of chances through Fashion Sakala and a Ryan Jack strike coming off the woodwork, Celtic never looked threatened, and indeed could have extended their lead in the closing moments, but O'Riley's free kick was tipped over the bar.
It was a win that sent a message, not just to the league but also to Europe, where Celtic has struggled in recent years.
Postecoglou has introduced a dynamic, fluid, attacking style, and the former Brisbane Roar boss sent a strong message to his opponents afterwards.
"I am really proud of the group," Postecoglou said.
"Right from the start, they were outstanding. That was everything we want as a football team.
"Our end goal is to play football a certain way and win things. We haven't done that yet."
