Ange Postecoglou's Celtic have enjoyed a dream victory in the Old Firm Derby, claiming a three-nil win against Rangers.
In picking up their first victory over Rangers in over two years, Celtic also landed a major blow in the title race, claiming top spot on the table.
Reo Hatate found the back of the net twice, once in the first five minutes and then again shortly before the break to send Celtic Park into raptures.
Postecoglou's side weren't done however, with Liel Abada finding a third on the stroke of half-time.
While every clash between the two Glasgow powerhouses is significant, this one was going to have major ramifications on the Scottish Premiership table.
Celtic went top of the league for the first time all season, taking a one-point lead over Rangers with a goal difference 10 better than their arch-rivals.
Big-name January signing Aaron Ramsey didn't feature for the visitors so soon after joining the club, while Celtic were without some of their key players as well.
Aussie Tom Rogic and Kyogo Furuhashi were sidelined but another of Postecoglou's Japanese signings in Hatate stepped up just a month after joining the club.
The former Kawasaki Frontale man opened the scoring with a speculative effort from the edge of the box off a corner, finding its way in off the post through a sea of bodies.
It was pandemonium 35 minutes later when a brilliant 'Angeball' down the right find Hatate who curled a shot inside the upright from just outside the area.
⚽️⚽️ GOAL! @CelticFC's Japanese gem Reo Hatae strikes again and it's a BEAUTY!! Ange's side leads @RangersFC 2-0
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_AUS) February 2, 2022
📺 Watch LIVE NOW on beIN 3 via @Foxtel, @kayosports, Fetch TV & CONNECT 👉 https://t.co/ADzUFcuNGp | #OldFirm #SPFL #CELRAN
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Hatate then turned provider, whipping in a cross from the left for the late-arriving Abada to poke home, putting Celtic in a commanding position.
⚽️⚽️⚽️ GOAL! Celtic Park is SHAKING as @CelticFC makes it 3-0 just before half-time! Can @RangersFC turn it around in the second-half?
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_AUS) February 2, 2022
📺 Watch LIVE NOW on beIN 3 via @Foxtel, @kayosports, Fetch TV & CONNECT 👉 https://t.co/ADzUFcuNGp | #OldFirm #SPFL #CELRAN pic.twitter.com/8Symf0CUyB
Celtic were able to hang on for the win after a scoreless second half, handing Rangers just their second defeat for the season and taking charge in the title race with 14 matches to play.
After the match, the Aussie manager was thrilled to see his side put in a performance worthy of the support the home fans had given them.
"Super proud of the players. Everyone knew it was a big game, massive consequences on it. We knew what it meant to our supporters," Postecoglou said.
"I thought our first half of football was outstanding. Quality play, great goals, we could have had some more, their keeper pulled off some great saves.
"Second half we had to defend a bit more but we've shown we can do that. Really proud.
"I've been pretty fortunate, I've had some special moments in football, but that one's up there tonight. From the moment we walked out to 10 minutes after they game, [the fans] didn't stop. That's the most pleasing thing, the players put in a performance worthy of our support and I think everyone goes home tonight really proud of the efforts."
💬 "I thought our first half of football was outstanding. Quality play, great goals and could have had some more."
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) February 2, 2022
The gaffer, Ange Postecoglou, 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 🎙️ #CELRAN | #cinchPrem | #COYBIG 🍀 pic.twitter.com/XmCP8krC7v