Ryan Naderi’s decisive finish handed Rangers a second triumph over Celtic in just eight days, tightening the race at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to a mere two-point margin. The win came in front of a roaring crowd of 60,000 at Celtic Park, adding fresh pressure to a Celtic side that had already endured a disappointing League Cup defeat at Ibrox and a subsequent Europa League loss to Ferencvaros. Martin O'Neill had previously tried to reassure fans that his players’ confidence was not "rock bottom" after those setbacks, but the atmosphere at Parkhead suggested the blow was deeper than anticipated. Early in the match, Auston Trusty saw his effort ruled out for off‑side, and Rangers seized the initiative.
A scramble in the box saw Viljami Sinisalo block Min‑Su Kim’s attempt, only for Naderi to pounce on the rebound and slot the ball home, prompting a wave of cheers that quickly turned into jeers from the home supporters. Celtic attempted to answer, with Kieran Tierney striking the woodwork and Djedi Gassama later replicating the effort on the opposite side. Their first genuine shot on target did not materialise until after the interval, when Ivor Pandur produced a spectacular save to deny Colby Donovan’s headed attempt. Throughout the second half, Rangers continued to press, with Olwethu Makhanya’s volley finding the net only to be disallowed by VAR for a handball in the build‑up.
The visitors enjoyed several late chances, but the final whistle saw them escorted off the pitch to a chorus of boos, while Rangers’ manager Derek McInnes celebrated becoming the first coach since 1991 to claim victory in his first two Old Firm encounters. Key moments of the match included: - 6 minutes: Trusty’s well‑taken shot was ruled out after Liam Scales was flagged off‑side before delivering the ball across to his fellow centre‑back. - 27 minutes: Dan Neil’s strike deflected onto the arms of Sinisalo, denying Rangers a clear goal‑scoring opportunity.
- 30 minutes: Naderi headed a rebound, but Sinisalo made an easy save. - 33 minutes: Tierney’s powerful drive beat Pandur but struck the bar. - 33 minutes: A second Rangers goal materialised when Kim was denied by Sinisalo, who cleared the ball for Naderi to finish from the rebound.
- 36 minutes: Gassama hammered a shot that clanged off the post. - 42 minutes: Camilo Duran surged inside the box to flick a cross, only for Rangers to clear the danger. - 46 minutes: Pandur again proved his worth, parrying Donovan’s header at the back post. - 53 minutes: Sinisalo palmed away James Penrice’s low drive, and Naderi failed to convert the ensuing rebound.
- 54 minutes: Kim’s attempt on target brushed the post, narrowly missing a second goal. - 64 minutes: Cameron Carter‑Vickers scrambled Naderi’s ball wide from the back‑post area. - 74 minutes: Makhanya’s volley was ruled out for handball, silencing Celtic Park.
- 79 minutes: Findlay Curtis struck from an acute angle, only for Sinisalo to make the save. - 82 minutes: Haissem Hassan’s cross was over‑hit for Kasper Hogh’s head. - 86 minutes: James Forrest’s close‑range effort was deflected over the bar.
Post‑match analysis featured a range of pundit opinions. Sky Sports’ Kris Boyd described the encounter as "men against boys" and lamented that Rangers should have been even more convincing given their dominance.
He praised the lack of impact from Celtic’s substitutions and warned that the club was in serious trouble. Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon, speaking on Sky Sports, noted that O’Neill had altered his formation and made four changes at halftime in an attempt to restore fluidity.
Lennon argued that Rangers were superior not only in physicality and stamina but also in overall footballing quality. He observed that Celtic showed improvement in the first half but fell apart in the second, describing their performance as "totally disjointed" and "battered".
He suggested that the upcoming international break could provide a necessary reset for the Glasgow side. Chris Sutton echoed similar sentiments, stating that the gap between the two teams was massive and that he could not recall Celtic being outplayed so comprehensively at Celtic Park. He warned that the defeat highlighted significant problems for the Hoops, who were "smashed" by a superior Rangers side. Martin O’Neill, when asked about the result, admitted the game had been tough and that Celtic had struggled to create clear chances despite dominating possession.
He described the week as "bruising" but remained hopeful, citing the club’s historic resilience. O’Neill emphasised that they were still two points ahead and that a period of reflection and tactical adjustment would be essential once players returned from international duty. Rangers manager Derek McInnes expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, praising their confidence and the disciplined defensive display that kept Celtic at bay. He lamented missing an opportunity to add a second goal, believing the side deserved more.
McInnes concluded that the victory was a "worthy win" and a testament to the squad’s determination. Overall, the match not only shifted the league standings but also intensified the narrative surrounding Celtic’s recent struggles and Rangers’ resurgence under McInnes.
With both clubs set to regroup during the international break, the upcoming fixtures promise to be pivotal in determining who will ultimately claim the Scottish Premiership crown. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1m!
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