For the second week in a row Rangers fans go into work on Monday morning with the bragging rights following a Sunday Old Firm victory.
Whilst last week's Premier Sports Cup Quarter Final victory was in front of a raucous Ibrox crowd, yesterday Derek McInnes's side went behind enemy lines and emerged with a 1-0 victory in front of 60,000 disappointed and frustrated home fans.
Rangers lay down a marker at Celtic Park
Last week's 3-0 win at Ibrox gave Rangers confidence to go to Parkhead yesterday with the same starting 11, and it was Martin O'Neill, off the back of two losses in five days, that shuffled his pack – moving to a three at the back formation to try and combat Rangers' overload in midfield from last week.
Celtic dropping their malfunctioning wide players to bring in Luke McCowan and Austin Trusty felt like the first time in a long time that Celtic made changes to combat the opposition, particularly for a home game without away support.
When last week's tactical move of using James Penrice as an inverted midfielder stifled Callum McGregor, Rangers returned to the same blueprint – and Penrice's energy and commitment was once again on show against a Celtic side who were widely subdued again in front of their own support.
Rangers were a team that knew what they were doing; the tactical plan was clear, the instructions visible, and the execution of that plan, once again, was successful. The only complaint was that the margin of victory wasn't as wide as the week before.
A real Rangers team
Ryan Naderi, who was allegedly an injury doubt before the game due to the controversial unpunished bad challenge from Mika Baur last weekend, was the match winner.
A firm reward for another all-action workaholic performance from the soon-to-be Czechia international. Naderi was on hand to react first after Sinisalo spilled a long-range Minsu Kim strike from distance.
Seven goal contributions now in the last seven appearances for Naderi, the forward proving he can provide key moments on top of an undoubted work rate.
Dujon Sterling and Olwethu Makhanya put in colossal defensive performances, alongside Manny Fernandez, who didn't allow an early John Beaton yellow card to spook his game.
Dan Neil and Nico Raskin once again controlled the midfield, and in Ivor Pandur, Rangers had assurance between the sticks – making a brilliant save from the one sight of Rangers' goal early in the second half, a Colby Donovan header at the back post.
Growing cohesion across the pitch for Rangers is evident in an upturn in form since their disappointing exit from Europe at the end of August.
The road forward
The difference at the top of the table now is just two points.
Celtic are the side going into the three-week-long international break with internal strife, supporters' anger and management being unsure of the best way to mould their squad on the pitch.
For Derek McInnes, the hard work is far from complete. However, the signs are positive that Rangers can build on this excellent week in September and use it as a launchpad for success this season.
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