Celtic captain Scott Brown insisted that the Parkhead side reaffirmed their status as top dogs in Glasgow after their victory over Rangers yesterday.

There has been some talk in the build-up to the encounter that Rangers would be a more testing opponent than they have been of late given the difference Steven Gerrard has made to the Ibrox side in his opening months in charge.

For Brown, though, the display from Celtic was one which confirmed their current superiority. “Performance wise it was exceptional. From start to finish we dictated,” he said.

“They came to Celtic Park and we pretty much showed them who was boss for 90 minutes.

“It’s all about possession and keeping a team spirit going. The lads have been outstanding these last two seasons and it’s about kicking on now. They didn’t want to press us too high up the park because they had a hard game in midweek and they were probably a bit leggy.

“We don’t listen.We know what happens in that dressing room. We’ve got a great team spirit and we showed it again on the park. We celebrated together. But when we lose we also lose together and that’s what a good team does.

“Craig [Gordon] has had one save to make in 90 minutes. If it hadn’t been for Allan McGregor then it could have been a bit more.”

For the first time since Rodgers arrived at Celtic there has been negativity around the club given the events of the last month. But Brown has maintained that there has never been any question of Celtic losing their focus as a team.

“How’s it been? Fine,” he said. “ People can question us all they want, but it’s about team spirit and what we do in the dressing room.

“There’s always going to be hard days but it’s about how you come back.

“We don’t read too much in the press or in social media. We just stick together and work as hard as we can.”