Steven Naismith seemed to undermine Rangers’ win over Celtic yesterday with recent post-match comments.
The former Ibrox attacker was on punditry duties for BBC Sportscene when dissecting his old club’s magnificent 3-0 win over their rivals in front of a packed out stadium.
Rangers were excellent all over the pitch with Nico Raskin being praised as well as goal scorer Ianis Hagi who netted before Robin Propper and Danilo put gloss on the scoreline.
It was the complete performance from the Light Blues who halted their visitors for 90 minutes and limited them to nothing in front of goal.
Callum McGregor was also shut down by the bossy midfield and three points were added to the tally.
Naismith, though – most recently manager of Hearts before he was sacked – felt the result was more down to Celts “looking as if they could not be bothered”.
It was a disappointing take from a man who should know better considering how he turned out for the Gers for five years between 2007-12
And that was before he eventually departed for Everton under a cloud, to say the least.
Steven Naismith said Celtic ‘couldn’t be bothered’
“Celtic looked as if they couldn’t be bothered,” Naisy said.
“They’ve been excellent under Brendan Rodgers from when he came back until now.
“The progression is clear.
“They are a million miles ahead of everybody but today it looked, I think he was spot on in his comments, saying, ‘We lacked that edge’ they looked like they couldn’t be bothered.
“I think it has been too easy for them. The cup final you would expect it to be a shock.
“You’d think they would come into the game and be up for it. But it just lacked that edge.”
Rangers stats vs Celtic as Ibrox stars rip rivals apart
| Rangers | Celtic |
| Goals: 3 | Goals: 0 |
| Shots: 24 | Shots: |
| Shots on target: 9 | Shots on target: |
| Shots off target: 13 | Shots off target: |
| Possession: 39% | Possession: 61% |
| Yellow cards: 2 | Yellow cards: 2 |
| Corners: 8 | Corners: 4 |
Rangers’ stats from the game showed just how strong they were against the league leaders.
Philippe Clement paid tribute to an unsung pair from the game, too, as Gers thrashed their old foes.
Celts were restricted in forward areas despite an early Kyogo scare and the Japanese was caught in the offside trap in the second half as he netted a disallowed goal.
Those were the only chances Rangers afforded their opponents on a day to remember.
