BORNA Barisic sunk to the ground with his hands already placed to cradle his head, visually encapsulating the watching Rangers support's emotions.

Having allowed Liel Abada to ghost beyond and score the third goal of the night unchallenged, the lethargic resemblance extended to every one of his teammates. Flat-footed, a lack of commitment in duels, constrained by a tactical set-up that had them beaten from the early stages.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst got it badly wrong and the passivity which has crept in during recent away games offered Celtic complete control in last night's 3-0 defeat. The hosts' played with an arrogance that was justified at the break and performed to a level their counterparts seemed unable to reach. Without some Allan McGregor heroics, four or five would not have flattered at the interval.

Memories of the cataclysmic defeats inflicted with such regularity during the Warburton, Caixinha and Murty years resurfaced during that troubling first period. Wounds healed from those turbulent times reopened.

Branding his team “naïve” post-match van Bronckhorst said “it seemed like it was the first Old Firm we played,” the irony, of course, being that the core of this side had gone two years unbeaten in the fixture while Celtic’s starting team featured nine new arrivals from last season.

Mentality aside, the approach appeared disconnected and lacked cohesion. Playing a man-orientated system that was camped in the defensive half and pulled all over the park by Celtic's intelligent rotations and high-energy style didn't help. With Scott Arfield sitting on Callum McGregor, a midfield four of Joe Aribo, Glen Kamara, Ryan Kent and Amad Diallo were tasked with defending deep in their own area, not a quartet you'd choose to defend the edge of your penalty box. If the plan was to soak up pressure the team selection should have been geared towards that method.

READ MORE: Rangers' first half derby disaster dissected: Giovanni van Bronckhorst faces tough questions over 'checked out' stars

With the ball, there was even less encouragement. No recognisable rhythms, no idea of how to get the ball from back to front other than forced long balls from McGregor. If one of the attackers received possession, avenues towards the attacking third appeared individually inspired.

An improved second-half showing may rule the reaction to be overzealous, but nobody watching the humbling handed out could disagree. Rangers travelled to their greatest rivals as the league leaders and champions but played as challengers who were unable to impose their own style and only gained any sort of foothold once three goals behind.

Barisic constantly handed Abada the freedom to gain ground and pick out considered deliveries, the inverted full-backs opened passing lanes into either wide player and when moments arrived for composure Rangers floundered. Aribo's misplaced pass for Arfield soon before the second goal a prime example. 

“I don’t think we were close enough, we were too passive, standing off and not making tackles,” Ryan Jack told RangersTV after the game.

“This fixture is about winning the battle first, it’s always a battle especially coming to Celtic Park, the crowd are up and you know it’s going to be a battle. I just don’t think on that side of it we really turned up and on the flip side, we concede the goals which for us are bad to lose.”

While the second half brought some solidity and the introduction of Jack made a notable impact, the game had already been won. The home side tired and on evidence of approach, if van Bronckhorst had intended to restrict his opponents he’d have been better introducing attacking options at this stage with a smaller mountain to climb.

After Ange Postecoglou’s three defeats in his opening six league games and with Rangers’ own unbeaten league campaign fresh in the memory, a performance of such dominance seemed unfathomable only months ago. 

The title was not won and lost on the basis of points last night at Parkhead but that first half put a psychological edge between either team that must be recovered. From their winter break position of strength, Rangers now form the chasing pack.