Scottish League/Rangers - 3 Celtic - 1: Any prediction based solely on this, the first of the season's Old Firm derbies, might conclude that Hearts, unbeaten at the top of the table, have nothing to worry about, so poor was the quality in a match where incident disguised general ineptitude. But two decades of Glasgow dominance suggest otherwise.
A couple of seasons ago when Celtic, under Martin O'Neill, won this equivalent fixture by a single goal, it was possible to believe these two great clubs had become so "Europeanised" that technical merit, rather the visceral sectarianism, was finally in the ascendancy in the city - albeit, of course, hard driven by the financial necessities of the Champions League.
It would be simplistic to conclude Celtic's early exit from Europe was the sole reason for the indiscipline that saw Alan Thompson sent off in the first half for a wild challenge. But with club debts approaching £20 million, the pressure on Gordon Strachan and his players is acute.
This does not excuse Neil Lennon's dismissal after the final whistle. His needless aggression was thoroughly irresponsible. He had already been booked but could not resist trying to have the last word when the action was over. Red mist, red card.
Lennon later apologised: "I spoke to the referee about his performance and he then showed me a red card while I was shaking hands with the Rangers players.
"Clearly, although I felt the red card - my first in the SPL - was totally unjustified, I understand that my reaction was wrong.
"I apologise for my reaction towards the referee and his assistant and I also apologise to Celtic and our supporters."
Such contrition may not be enough to save him from a lengthy ban.
Strachan trotted out the usual managerial cliches about the fine line between competition and aggression. But the silence of the Celtic fans was a reminder it will take more than finely judged words from the manager to convince them his appointment was anything other than temporary.
However, they might reflect that before Thompson's dismissal Celtic were in the ascendancy. Alex McLeish was by far the more animated manager and remained so until Nacho Novo's late penalty finally nailed Celtic's resistance.
Dado Prso had put them ahead by half-time and Thomas Buffel made it 2-0 shortly after the break before Shaun Maloney, a 54th-minute replacement for Shunsuke Nakamura, gave Celtic hope with a coolly slotted penalty.
Later the Japanese media were keen to know why Nakamura had been taken off. Strachan said the need to play a five-man midfield had meant communication was crucial, the obvious implication being the hapless Nakamura had been floundering in a world of linguistic incomprehension, like an Englishman in a Glasgow pub on a Saturday night.
"Everybody needed to understand what was going on," said Strachan. Remember this phrase as the season unwinds. It may prove uncomfortably prescient.
Guardian Service
