Celtic 3 Rangers 0:CELTIC'S CELEBRATION of Rangers' spectacular demise extended even to the Tannoy at the season's final Old Firm game. When Will I See You Again by the Three Degrees echoed around Celtic Park. The jibe, as ever, had some foundation in reality.
With Rangers' troubles no closer to a resolution and the Scottish Premier League still to rule on allegations of registration breaches by the Ibrox club, the continuation of a top-flight Glasgow derby cannot yet be guaranteed.
How Celtic revelled in this occasion. The level of partying already ensured by Rangers' administration-hit state and the reclaiming of the championship by Neil Lennon's team was merely enhanced by a comprehensive home victory.
Lennon took time to praise both sets of fans for their behaviour. "There was a lot of humour going around out there and that's really what we want to see. We don't want to see the other side, the nastiness. Both sets of supporters were a credit to their clubs."
Generally, the occasion was played in decent spirit but the sporadic return of unwanted chants within the Rangers songbook was apparent.
Before kick-off, a series of banners and black flags to mark Rangers' predicament were displayed by the home contingent. It is hardly a leap in the dark to question what exactly Celtic fans would sing about if Rangers were to disappear.
Within 31 minutes, Celtic had two goals to celebrate despite Rangers starting in a perfectly competent manner. Charlie Mulgrew supplied the opener with an excellent diving header from a rehearsed Kris Commons corner.
Commons himself notched Celtic's second after brilliantly evading Kyle Bartley and offering a wonderful chipped finish.
Gary Hooper lashed home a third goal after Georgios Samaras had robbed Rhys McCabe and played in his strike partner. It proved a suitably forceful denouement to Celtic's afternoon.
"We were brilliant from start to finish," Lennon said. "Once we found our feet in the game, we were magnificent. People have thrown it at us, that we can't handle the big games. Well, that accusation has been diminished today."
