Ange Postecoglou hailed his striker Kyogo Furuhashi after his brace helped Celtic to a thrilling 3-2 win over Rangers. The Japan forward had the ball in the net early in the clash only to be ruled offside before he opened the scoring in the 26th minute with a close-range drive. Rangers’ captain, James Tavernier, levelled just before half-time with a stunning free-kick but Furuhashi took advantage of a Ben Davies mistake in the 62nd minute to grab his fifth goal in three games against Rangers and his 28th of the season to restore Celtic’s lead. The Portuguese winger Jota scored Celtic’s third after a short back pass from the Rangers defender John Souttar, before Tavernier reduced the deficit with a header for his second goal. As a result Celtic moved 12 points clear of Rangers at the top of the table with seven games remaining and, barring an unlikely collapse, they will retain their title, with a domestic treble still on the cards. Postecoglou, who managed against Furuhashi in Japan before bringing him to Parkhead from Vissel Kobe in 2021, said: “I’ve said it a few times, from the moment this guy arrived he’s been outstanding. He gives everything in every game he plays, he’s a threat. If he doesn’t score a goal he works so hard for the team. He delivers in the big games. “He was the first one I wanted here. He didn’t arrive first but he was the first I wanted to make sure we brought in because I’d experienced him first-hand in Japan as an opponent, which I didn’t enjoy.” The Celtic manager admitted the victory was “very pleasing”, and said: “It was a typical derby with a bit of everything. Credit to both sets of players, they gave their all. “We controlled it in different areas and always looked a threat going forward when we played through the lines. They were a threat, mainly on set pieces. “That gave an edge to the game, but this group of players just find a way all the time. It’s unbelievable, the character and self-belief they have in each other to continually get the job done.” Celtic were backed by almost 60,000 fans as no away supporters were present due to fan safety and security issues and Postecoglou was impressed by their support. He said: “The support was outstanding today, unbelievable. I’m sure the players really got energised by it. The fans were just willing the team on. “Fine margins,” said the Rangers manager, Michael Beale, of an enthralling game. “I thought we played well in the game. Obviously two big mistakes were quite costly for us, after I thought we started the second half very well. “I thought one or two VAR decisions were harsh on us. If you look at Alfredo’s shirt, it is twisted around his back and I don’t think their player is trying to play the ball, only one player is trying to play the ball. There’s a lot going on with the two players but why pick on ours at the moment? “Kevin sees it there and then. I asked him if it was for a foul on Joe Hart and he said it was for a foul by Alfredo. That’s what I am disappointed with. “The guys in the [VAR] studio are watching it back, all I would ask is if you look at the number on Alfredo’s shirt, who is pulling who? One is trying to play the ball, the other isn’t. It was a big decision in the game. “Ben Davies makes a mistake with the clearance up in the air and heading against Jota, but it hits his arm. I know it’s not outside his body but to not get one of the two is harsh. The two mistakes that cost us are not the only mistakes; we had chances up the other end when we could have been more decisive.”