Brendan Rodgers has admitted Celtic were beaten by the better team after watching his side be dismantled by Rangers at Ibrox.
Rangers put in a ruthless, aggressive display in Glasgow to overrun their Old Firm rivals and record an impressive 3-0 victory.
The win is Philippe Clement’s first Old Firm victory in seven attempts and also saw Rangers have more efforts on goal against Celtic than any team in Scotland ever has since Opta records began (24).
Speaking after the game, Brendan Rodgers admitted that his Celtic team had been ruthlessly dispatched by a Rangers team better in every department.
Brendan Rodgers: Rangers were the better team
“Yeah, it wasn’t a very good performance (from Rangers),” Rodgers told BBC Scotland.
“I thought that we made too many mistakes, especially in the first half with the ball. That just invited pressure when we had no need.
“We started the game okay first three, four minutes, but then we trap ourselves in too many areas that we spoke before about not to.
“So we give away the ball for the first goal, and the young guy finishes it well, and then from that 1-0, that gives them a lift in the game, gives the stadium a lift. And I just thought Rangers were the better team today.
“We lacked an edge in our game with the ball, without the ball, and that has been very unlike us. So, but like I say, we weren’t aggressive enough without the ball.”
Celtic manager raises 14-point gap question
Brendan Rodgers has also suggested that the 14 point gap heading into the game might’ve been in the minds of his Celtic players against Rangers.
Rangers manager Philippe Clement was under huge pressure to get a result v Celtic after slipping up in back to back away games against St Mirren and Motherwell.
Those results had opened up a 14 point gap which has now been reduced to 11 points thanks to Rangers’ victory at Ibrox.
But even if the gap played into the minds of his Celtic players, Rodgers insists it’s no excuse and tipped his hat to an impressive Rangers performance.
“You know, there’s too many duels and too many moments where they could then break out of pressure,” said Rodgers.
“So our counter-press wasn’t as good as what it normally is. And then with the ball it was a bit too slow.
”We never created anywhere near the possibilities that we normally do. So all in all, the game today is a disappointment.
“The bigger picture, it’s 19 games. We’re halfway through the season, we’re 11 points clear. I’m not sure whether that 14 points took away edge off.
“It shouldn’t but maybe subconsciously it can do but overall we didn’t play well today. Rangers deserve to win and now we get ready for the for the weekend.”
