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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Liam Bryce

How the EPL watched Celtic vs Rangers as star players, pundits and punters wax lyrical about Angeball

Celtic and Rangers took the primetime slot on Wednesday night as the eyes of the world descended on Glasgow.

And they were treated to a raucous spectacle under the Celtic Park lights.

Ange Postecoglou's side blasted their way to the Premiership summit with a dominant 3-0 win over the reigning champions.

A combination of the evening Sky Sports slot and the Premier League being on its winter break gave the fixture a chance to open up to a new audience south of the border.

That much was clear as reaction to the derby battle poured in on social media.

Celtic Park ahead of kick-off (SNS Group)

Here's a selection of how EPL players, pundits and fans reacted to the fixture.

Players

It's no surprise the two most high profile Celtic fans in the Premier League were at the forefront - with both Andy Robertson and John McGinn singling out man of the moment Reo Hatate after he bagged two goals and assist.

Liverpool left-back and Scotland captain Robertson wrote on his Twitter: "Hatate a serious player."

And Aston Villa star John McGinn echoed his international team-mate's verdict, writing: "Hatate outrageous."

Pundits

There can sometimes be a dismissive, derisory tone from EPL pundits when discussing matters north of the border.

But it appears even they were captivated by last night's action.

Jason Cundy

"You've got to give Celtic credit, they started like a train.

"He's got them set up with a nice, attacking, high press. Out of possession, they're well organised.

"Rangers, in the final third, were dreadful. Their decision-making, their final pass, their final shot. Whatever they did in the final third, dreadful.

"Celtic cruised, the game was over by half-time. It would've been a travesty had Rangers got to half-time at 1-0, the game might've been different.

"Celtic, in the end, thoroughly deserved it."

Stan Collymore

Superb from Celtic, blew the opposition away in the first half and cruised to victory in the second. More steel, more of a team, more character, more characters, more tempo than the last couple of seasons, huge credit to Ang and his staff.

Mark Bosnich

"3-0 @CelticFC what a win…Celtic go 1 point clear at the top with 14 games to go….what a race it’s going to be..and after finishing 25points behind @RangersFC last season wow,what a turn around."

Simon Jordan

Trevor Sinclair

Celtic Fans…. Thank you, that was off the scale for a 1st Glasgow derby

Tim Cahill

Fans

There was fan reaction aplenty, too. Some singled out the deafening atmosphere in Glasgow's east end, while Hatate's heroics did not go unnoticed either.

Rangers handed a start to Manchester United loanee Amad Diallo - only for him to be hooked at half-time, a development that raised eyebrows among supporters given the youngster's lofty reputation.

@Safc_FLAF: "Regardless of whether you follow Scottish football or even like or dislike Celtic I think everyone can appreciate the atmosphere."

@903Football: "No question, the best atmosphere in British football. Unbelievable noise."

(SNS Group)

MTVilla1983: "Get Kyogo and Hatate to Villa in the summer."

LionsAVFC: "(On Hatate) 3 In a week and a delightful assist too."

GhorbalDan: "First trip to Celtic Park, boss experience. Huge late goal for them in the title race, will be bedlam in there for the Old Firm."

UnitedSFX: "Celtic absolutely pumping Rangers. Tough game for Amad but loans are all about gaining experience, and arguably you learn more when things don't go your way. It doesn't get much worse than being taken off at half time, 3-0 down in an Old Firm derby. He'll come back stronger."

Alway_ Benji: "Amad Diallo showing why United paid £20m for him in the Glasgow Derby tonight.. touched the ball twice and lost it twice before being hauled off at half time. Ouch."

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