Danny Röhl was keen to frame Rangers Old Firm victory as a collective achievement, but he reserved particular praise for two individuals who played pivotal, yet very different, roles: Yousef Chermiti and Jack Butland.
Chermiti, whose two second-half goals swung the momentum decisively in Rangers favour, before Mikey Moore added a third, was singled out by the head coach as a player beginning to translate raw potential into tangible impact.
“It starts in the last couple of weeks,” Röhl said.
“He worked for the group, he’s smart.”
Röhl highlighted the striker’s physical presence and ability to impose himself on defenders - qualities that had not always been consistent earlier in the campaign.
“You saw today he is also, with his body, very aggressive,” he added.
“He can keep the ball, he can carry the ball.”
This was clear with his second goal – with the former Everton forward outmuscling Scotland international Anthony Ralston to win back possession before driving into the Celtic area and finishing past Kasper Schmeichel.
However, Röhl was careful to temper any rush to judgment, stressing that development is measured over time, not moments.
“Sometimes for a forward you need this momentum,” he said.
“But now we speak about two games.
“Two games over the season is not so much.
“Now it’s about consistency.”
Chermiti’s all-round contribution was just as important as his finishing, with Röhl praising his one-on-one work and connection with teammates.
“He was outstanding in one-against-one situations,” Röhl noted.
“But especially as a group in the second half, we were connected, we were organised.”
At the opposite end of the pitch, Röhl was equally emphatic in his defence of Butland, whose first-half saves kept Rangers in the contest during a difficult spell.
“Jack showed outstanding saves,” Röhl said.
“In crucial moments he’s there.”
The Rangers manager also addressed recent scrutiny of the goalkeeper, making it clear that leadership is demonstrated through actions, not noise.
The keeper was badly at fault for Rangers recent defeat to league leaders Hearts at Tynecastle – allowing Jambos captain Lawrence Shankland to score from a tight angle in the 2-1 defeat.
But Rohl backed his stopper and praised his qualities.
“Leadership is not just about talking,” he said.
“It’s about performance on the pitch, and if you do this then you help massively the group.”
For Röhl, Butland’s display embodied the resilience required at a club with Rangers demands - responding to pressure with authority rather than retreat.
“He’s a guy who can reflect and be honest with himself,” Röhl added.
“I support him.”
Together, Chermiti’s forward momentum and Butland’s composure formed the backbone of Rangers response.
One provided the cutting edge, the other the platform - both emblematic of a side growing in balance and belief – one who are now firmly back in the title race.