Old Firm win was ‘men against boys’ says Celtic captain Scott Brown

CELTIC captain Scott Brown described his side’s thumping 5-1 derby win over Rangers as “men against boys”.

Moussa Dembele scored a hat-trick and Scott Sinclair and Stuart Armstrong were also on target as Brendan Rodgers celebrated a glorious Old Firm derby debut.

Much had been made in the build-up of the rivalry between Brown and Rangers midfielder Joey Barton and the Celtic man was happy to taunt his opponent.

“Easy, it was fine, it wasn’t a problem,” he said on Sky Sports 2 when asked about his battle with Barton.

“There was no battling whatsoever.”

Asked who came out on top in their duel, he said: “I think the scoreline talks for itself. It was pretty much men versus boys at the end of the day.”

Celtic 5 Rangers 1: Dembele hat-trick sees Hoops cruise to Old Firm win – click here to read match report

Brown and Barton appeared to exchange words after the second Celtic goal.

“Just made sure he was all right,” Brown said.

Dembele only started because of an injury to Leigh Griffiths.

On his performance, Brown said: “Exceptional, start to finish. He’s been looking sharp in training the last couple of days.

“It’s sad that Leigh was injured, but the big man stepped up and got three goals and got an assist as well – not a bad day’s work.”

Dembele said: “For me to score my first hat-trick is something unbelievable and I will remember all my life.”

Boss Rodgers described his side’s performance as “brilliant”.

“For us to come back (after the international break) and play to that intensity and that level and be that clinical, it was a joy to see,” he said.

“Moussa Dembele is a top talent and we’re very lucky to have him here.

“His performance was outstanding. Three wonderful goals and three different types of goals.

“We scored five and maybe could have had two or three more.”

Pick up tomorrow’s Sunday Post for more analysis and reaction to the match.