Rodgers hails 'fantastic' Celtic performance in 3-0 win over Rangers

Brendan Rodgers hailed his Celtic’s side “fantastic performance” in their 3-0 win over city rivals Rangers.

Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi and Callum McGregor were all on the scoresheet as the champions continued their 100% winning start to the start of the season.

The manager also remains undefeated against Rangers since his return to the club with five wins and a draw from the six meetings.

It means Celtic are five points ahead of the Ibrox club after just four games of the Premiership campaign as they look to make it four-in-a-row.

Speaking after the game Rangers praised his team for their attacking approach.

He said: “It was fantastic performance.

“I thought we were electric going forward, we scored three and when you look at the other chances we had in the game it was very good.

“It was also equally as pleasing defensively, we were solid and strong right to the very end.

“Kasper (Schmeichel) makes a good save at the end, but overall it was a great day for us and just a continuation of the intensity, quality and speed with which we have been playing.”

Rodgers also declared himself satisfied with his transfer business after introducing club-record signing Arne Engels off the bench in a 3-0 victory over Rangers at Parkhead.

The manager had implored his club to get deals over the line going into the final week of the window as he waited for his first new outfield player days after losing last season’s top performer, Matt O’Riley.

He appeared to get his wish with a reported £11m purchase of Engels from Augsburg along with a loan deal for Barcelona left-back Alex Valle, the arrival of United States defender Auston Trusty from Sheffield United and the last-gasp signing of Luke McCowan from Dundee.

Celtic revamped their goalkeeping department with the signing of Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo but it was into August before they signed an outfield player, when both Paulo Bernardo and Adam Idah returned to the club on permanent deals following loan spells.

The wait was worth it though as Rodgers declared himself “very, very happy” with the dealings.

“It’s very, very hard to do everything you want to do in one window,” he said.

“But if you look at the work that has gone in here at the club, not just with the players in but players going out, there’s been so much that we’ve needed to do in order to get the squad to where we want it to be.

“So, a manager will always want a little bit more, but I can’t complain.

“We’ve done some great business, great work over the course of the window with the players we’ve brought in, going right back to Kasper and all the guys.

“So, that’s been really, really good. And we’ll need that throughout the course of the season.”

Engels came off the bench just after the hour mark and McCowan was introduced immediately after Callum McGregor fired Celtic three ahead in the 75th minute.

The former Ayr and Dundee player showed some good touches and got himself involved in the game.

“It’s so nice for him,” Rodgers said. “And for a Celtic supporter as well, it was a dream for him to get out there.

“The Celtic-Rangers games bring a different aspect to your lungs and your legs.

“So, he’s gone on to the pitch and he’s worked hard and showed some really nice touches. And again, a player that over the course of the season will be important for us.”