Celtic instant analysis as its three and easy for Rodgers

First-half goals from Japanese duo Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi saw Celtic go in at the interval two to the good and cruising.

It was Kyogo who thought he had got off the mark after 11 minutes when he tapped home from Nicolas Kuhn's low accurate assist but a marginal offside call by VAR denied him.

However, 16 minutes later the hosts went in front as Maeda drove home following Alistair Johnston's set-up from the right flank.

Talisman Kyogo was not to be denied and he opened his account for the season when he picked up a pass from the excellent Greg Taylor before taking a touch and then passing an exquisite 25-yard daisy cutter into the net to make it 2-0. It was a thing of beauty that surprised Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland as Kyogo made it eight career derby goals.

Celtic were being spurred on by inspirational skipper Callum McGregor, and Portuguese midfielder Paulo Bernardo as well as Greg Taylor and Nicolas Kuhn. It was Bernardo who had the freedom of Celtic Park as he bore down on goal but shot tamely into Butland's hands when he ought to have scored in first-half injury time to make it 3-0.

Kyogo should have put the game beyond all doubt when he raced through and clipped the ball too high when he had Butland and the goal at his mercy.

Celtic's record transfer £11 million man Arne Engels then made his debut as he replaced Bernardo on the hour mark and both men received rapturous receptions from the Parkhead crowd.

James Forrest made his milestone 500th career appearance for Celtic before McGregor screamed home number three with 15 minutes left on the clock as the men in green and white registered their fifth home victory on the spin against Rangers.

It was another Super Sunday for Celtic as Brendan Rodgers's stranglehold on the derby continued. Incredibly that's just one defeat for the Irishman in 19 matches against Rangers.

Magnificent Maeda

You cannot underestimate the importance of Maeda in this derby fixture. He really does put the frighteners up, James Tavernier. His application and work rate are second to none as he not only blunts the threat of the opposing full-back but he is also a goal threat himself. It was Maeda who was alive to Johnston's cutback to bury the ball past Butland with a snapshot. It was Meda who led the charge with his pressing antics and he even sprinted 60 yards to prevent a promising Rangers attack shortly after he had scored. He possesses incredible levels of speed and athleticism. He is as potent a weapon as you can get as a winger. He never lets his team down on Derby Day.

Write Kyogo off at your peril

Reports of the Japanese talisman's demise have been greatly exaggerated. What a way to open your account for the new season. The 29-year-old showed exactly why Sky Sports commentator Ian Crocker screamed: "Derby Day isn't Derby Day without one of these from Kyogo. It was the Celtic striker's eighth goal in 10 starts against Rangers. Phenomenal statistics. What a goal it was too. A thing of beauty as he picked up Greg Taylor's fantastic shunt and took a touch before narrowing the finest sidefoot shot into the net from 25 yards. It put Celtic on an easy street heading into the break as Rangers had no answer to the power, pace and pressing of the hosts. Keeping a hold of the star man was as vital a piece of business for Celtic as any of the new players that they brought into the club in the transfer window. It was an outrageous finish from Kyogo and the attacker just comes alive whenever he plays against Rangers. He has only scored four goals outside the box and three of them have come against the men from Govan. He missed an absolute sitter when he ran through one-on-one but went for an audacious chipped finish and got his angles all wrong.

Brilliant Bernardo

How good was Bernardo? He was sensational. A £3.5 million steal in the summer. The Portuguese midfielder was outstanding as he was everywhere in the park. He pressed everything, snapped into tackles and won the ball back with regular and consummate ease. Bernardo stepped up to the plate and showed that he has added a lot more to his game and he showed the likes of the opposite number Connor Barron how it was done. He should have made it 3-0 to Celtic in first-half injury time as he chopped the ball from right to left and back to his right but shot weakly into Butland's hands. He was rightfully annoyed with himself as he spurned a glorious opportunity to claim a second Glasgow derby goal. He made way for Engels on the hour mark and he left the field to a rapturous reception. Take a bow Bernardo, take a bow.

Captain Callum McGregor with his third screamer of the season

Captain. Leader. Legend. The metronome. The beating heart of the Celtic team call him what you will he is simply awesome. McGregor nailed it last week when he said talk is cheap. Once again he stepped up when required. He leads by example in every derby fixture and his teammates feed off that. He can now rest safe in the knowledge that he has a two-week rest after hanging up his international boots. It was McGregor who left fly for a third which put a greater and more respectable gloss on the scoreline. It was McGregor's third strike of the season and every one of them has been contenders for goal of the season. 

500 not out for James Forrest

What a career achievement for James Forrest. The winger was given the last 18 minutes as he chalked up a superb Celtic milestone by making his 500th appearance. The academy graduate is evergreen and he is one of the most under-appreciated legends to have ever graced the jersey.  A scoring debut back in May 2010. 500 games. 109 goals. 100 assists. He has amassed 24 major honours. Forrest is the definition of a one-club man. Congratulations James.