2023-09-03: TheRangers 0-1 Celtic, League

Match Pictures | Matches: 2023 – 2024

Trivia

KO: 12:00; Sunday; League Match 4; Sky TV
Celtic on top on 10pts & +5GD, Motherwell also on 10pts – 4pts clear of Sevco despite what had been seen as a shakey start to the season for Celtic!
First meeting this season between the sides, first Rodgers v Beale match.
No Celtic fans at the match; stand-off between clubs continues on safety, allocations etc. First Celtic victory at Ibrox when no Celtic fans in attendance.
Celtic have a number of players out injured (both key & secondary who would have played) , so this was an incredible victory for our injury depleted side: Hatate, CCV, Nawrocki, Welsh all out; Nat Phllips not played as not match fit. Johnstone only recently back from LT injury.
Lagerbielke & Scales the central defence. NOT first choice by long way but Scales in particular does an incredible job. Lagerbielke at fault for one goal lost but thanfully it was rescinded (via VAR) due to a foul on him in the build-up.
Best moment of the match (excluding the obvious winning goal) was that after the VAR review when the referee came back onto the pitch he signalled towards the Celtic half, as if it was pointing to the centre spot (i.e. he had awarded a goal). This led to a huge cheer from the Sevco fans, only for it to transpire that he was actually pointing towards a free-kick was being given to Celtic, i.e. the Sevco goal was being chopped off! It was a surprise sight to see a VAR decision going against Sevco at Ibrox for Celtic!
Former referee Bobby Madden says officials got it right at Ibrox when they ruled out a goal by Sevco’s Kemar Roofe for a foul by strike partner Cyriel Dessers on Celtic centre-half Gustaf Lagerbielke in the build-up before the winner in. Madden points out that Dessers had not touched the ball before planting a foot on the ground that tripped the Swede.
Sevco came into this match after being hammerred 5-1 away (7-3 agg) v PSV in Champions League qualifiers. Hearts & Hibs hammerred (both out of Europe), and Aberdeen lose but drop down to Conference League group stages.
Champions League: Celtic draw Feyenoord, At Madrid and Lazio in upcoming group stages
Transfers in over summer: Luis Palma – £3.5M; Maik Nawrocki – £4.3M; Gustaf Lagerbielke – £3M;Odin Holm – £2.6M; Yang Hyun-Jun – £2.1M; Kwon Hyeok-kyu – £850K; Marco Tilio – £1.5M; Tomoki Iwata – £828K; Nat Phillips – Loan; Paulo Bernardo – Loan
Transfers: Window now closed (Sep 1st)
- In: Aris FC winger Luis Palma £3.5m; Nat Phillips loan till Jan; Beitar Jerusalem sign Ismaila Soro on perm deal (est £150k); Bernardo signs for season long loan with
- Out: Matthew Anderson & Tobi Oluwayemi on loan transfers to Admira Wacker; Sead Hakšabanović to Stoke City on a season-long loan.
Reports (in): Mathias Kvistgaarden from Brondby (initial two bids knocked back); Peterborough centre back Ronnie Edwards; Paulo Bernardo in Celtic transfer ‘talks’ with Benfica loan switch; Bologna striker Sydney van Hooijdonk; Haksa to Paok or Stoke;
Reports (out): Albian Ajeti to Turkish Süper Lig side Gaziantep F.K.; Leeds United & Southampton are showing interest in Matt O’Riley; Soro out on loan? ;
Celtic have rejected a £10m bid from English Championship side Leeds United for Matt O’Riley, according to Anthony Joseph at Sky Sports.
Liel Abada extension signed. Talks continue with Hatate
Anthony Ralston and Greg Taylor dropped from Scotland squad for next month’s double-header v Cyprus & England. McGregor only current Celt in the squad.
Ex-Celt Neil Lennon admits vacant Hibs managerial job interest. Apparently the favourite!
Ex-Celt Karamoko Dembele set to join Blackpool on season-long loan.
As part of the Club’s ongoing commitment to make matches accessible for all, introduced a BSL interpreter who will support our deaf and deaf/blind supporters on match days. Respect to the club for that.
The Celtic Story play updated and starts a new run in the theatre
Ex-Celt Scott Brown sacked by Fleetwood due to poor start to campaign.
International break next week!

Summary

“I know how to win and I know what it takes to win, and I’ll show the players. It might not be in the first game of the season but over the course of the season, and the course of my time here, I believe we will do that.”
Pre-match Brendan Rodgers

“It’s a game we want to go and play well in, perform in and look to get the result.”
Brendan Rodgers

“We needed the players to come here and play like men – and they did that”. Brendan Rodgers

“He [Scales] is a warrior… I’m so happy for the players. We’re a long way off where we want to be” Brendan Rodgers expresses his delight after Celtic sealed a 1-0 over Rangers, but insists more is to come”
Brendan Rodgers

Wilfred Benitez of KDS:

My observations on the game…

Firstly, with that midfield we had today, I’m simply amazed that Beale chose to long ball it over them. You’d have thought that he’d have had a look at Turnbull in there and tried to play through them, but no. He’s a rudimentary manager with not a not going on behind his big mouth.

Even when they were chasing the game in the second half, their sole response seemed to be to hunt in packs like the anthill mob cartoon or something out of the Benny Hill show, and it is an approach which was just as ancient and old fashioned as both of those things.

The difference today was that we have a top class manager, albeit he’s been slow to fire this time around. They have a shifty spiv who I’m not even sure has a trick up his sleeve to make him a one trick pony.

Then the circumstances of the game. Every single variable was stacked in their favour…

Home advantage with no away fans.
FWIW, a sense of momentum in the league after their opening day stalling.
Facing us with 25% of our first choice defence.
In the middle of possibly the worst injury crisis in my recent memory.
With a very pedestrian midfield three which has looked ill fitting of late.

However, not one of these things was sufficient to give them any hope. Not one thing could give them enough impetus to beat us on our very worst day.

Apart from it was nothing of the sort.

We worked our arses off for the whole game. McGregor was the footballer we all know he can be and I’m hopeful that this is the first green shoots of his Indian summer under Rodgers.

Scales had a performance that he can tell his future kids and grandkids about. He’s much maligned. Fairly so some of the time, but if he can produce what he did today on a regular basis, he has a shout for sticking around a bit beyond Christmas. Also, this was his second clean sheet of the season which some of us will no doubt be surprised to be reminded of.

Lagerbielke looked nervy, but he’s a good player. This is the most high stress game he’ll play in domestically. If he gets a start at Parkhead next time out, we’ll see a massively different player.

O’Riley was excellent today I thought. Turnbull I’d have swapped out at half time before we went ahead, but not because he was terrible. Merely because we looked to be struggling to take the game up a notch.

Kyogo is on course to become our best striker since Larsson if he keeps this arm up agains the huns.

Maeda was decent, but we all know his final ball isn’t the best.

All in all, we pulled together to give us a team performance worthy of the shirt.

We are in the middle of a horrendous injury crisis, yet are four points clear of the huns with two games against them at Parkhead to come.

I honestly don’t see them sitting above us in the league again this season. Psychologically I think Beale is done.

Various:

Former Celtic striker Moussa Dembele, now playing for Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia under former Sevco manager Steven Gerrard, took to social media, saying: “Glasgow green and white (as always), Ibrox green and white (as usual).”

Inside The SPFL @AgentScotland I think today’s the day Brendan Rodgers truly returned to Celtic, it’s all been a bit intentionally lowkey so far, with how he left in 2019 I don’t think he wanted to just swagger back in, but he’s back, this is his team and I think we’ll see more of the old Rodgers from now on.

Liam Scales was absolutely phenomenal, he’ll still be down the pecking order when everyone is fit but there’s no bigger game to show your worth, derby, injury crisis, away, no fans… no problem, a collosual performance by someone Rodgers has been talking up all summer.

The pre-game interviews today were quite startling, Rodgers was playing down the game and the overall importance of it while Beale couldn’t have bigged it up anymore, one manager took all the pressure off his players the other drove the fear of God into his weak minded squad.

Callum McGregor was sensational today, he controlled the game first half and it was a real captains performance, one of his best, possibly his best, barely wasted a ball, always available, always encouraging and always willing to step up and be counted, unbelievable footballer.

Inside The SPFL @AgentScotland · 2h Apart from missing a clear corner when Butland made a great save from Abada, I thought Dom Robertson (Referee) had a great game today.

E-Tims @ETimsNet · 3h “Play like men”. “Show courage”. This is the Brendan we need. Too quiet/subdued since he returned. Baws oot big time. Welcome back Brendy

Charlie Brooks @Chigs_72 · 5h The combination of no away fans and the commentary from Rangers TV makes this brilliantly surreal. Some strike from Kyogo…

Moravcik67 @Moravcik67_ · 3h Scottish football punditry summed up. It’s a foul according to the rules. But I don’t think the goal should have been chopped off.

FollowFollowMeltdowns @FollowMeltdowns: We’ve got a Manager who is out of his depth, a Captain who is a serial loser and a squad littered with shitebags. What chance have ye got?!

Celtic F1rst @CelticF1rst · 4h BREAKING: Rangers have announced they’re cutting their OWN allocation for Glasgow Derby matches at Ibrox. (JOKE!)

Teams

Celtic

Formation 4-3-3

01 Hart
02 Johnston Substituted for Ralston at 65′minutes
04 Lagerbielke
05 Scales Booked at 78mins
03 Taylor Substituted for Bernabéi at 74′minutes
33 O’Riley
42 McGregor
14 Turnbull Substituted for Holm at 66′minutes
11 Abada Substituted for Yang at 66′minutes
08 Furuhashi Substituted for Oh at 76′minutes
38 Maeda

Substitutes

7Palma
13Yang
15Holm
18Kobayashi
19Oh
22Kwon
25Bernabéi
29Bain
56Ralston

Goals:

Furuhashi (45’+2 minutes)

Assists:

O’Riley (45’+2 minutes)

Rangers

Formation 4-3-3

1Butland
2 Tavernier
6 Goldson
5 Souttar
21 Sterling Substituted for Yilmaz at 65′minutes
43 Raskin
8 Jack Substituted for Lawrence at 76′minutes
13 Cantwell Booked at 73mins
25 Roofe Substituted for Pereira da Silva at 64′minutes
9 Dessers Substituted for Sima at 76′minutes
17 Matondo Substituted for Lammers at 64′minutes

Substitutes

3Yilmaz
4Lundstram
11Lawrence
14Lammers
15Cifuentes
19Sima
26Davies
28McCrorie
99Pereira da Silva

Goals:
Assists:

Ref:Don Robertson
Att: full house, all Sevco fans; Celtic fans barred

Articles

Match Report (see below)

Pictures

Match Pictures

Match Links

Stats

Rangers
Celtic

Possession: Home50%; Away50%

Shots: Home17; Away7

Shots on Target: Home3; Away5

Corners: Home6; Away2

Fouls: Home15; Away15

Articles

verdict: Michael Beale walking fine Rangers line after Celtic outcome few expected

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/old-firm-verdict-michael-beale-walking-fine-rangers-line-after-celtic-outcome-few-expected-4278755
The apoplexy that raged around Ibrox at full-time as the vanquished Rangers players practically had their heads taken off by boos – for daring to circle round and applaud their fans – felt like a Ceaușescu moment.
Andrew Smith
By Andrew Smith
Published 3rd Sep 2023, 18:08 BST
Updated 3rd Sep 2023, 18:12 BST
Comment

As with the masses turning on the Romanian despot in that fabled instance, a bond seemed to fracture utterly with Michael Beale, his players, and their support at full-time of their 1-0 loss to a Celtic for all the world believed to be there for the taking. Walking up to the ground with the home fans – who had Ibrox to themselves with Celtic refusing their 700 allocation over safety concerns – a familiar refrain was to be heard as the Rangers faithful digested the starting XI Brendan Rodgers was forced to select through a variety of fitness issues. A starting line-up that featured Celtic’s now sixth choice and fourth choice centre-backs in Liam Scales and Gustaf Lagerbielke, a pair who had never shared a pitch before the Scottish champions’ soulless scoreless draw at home to St Johnstone last weekend. The refrain asserted that Rangers would never have a better opportunity to stick it to their ancient adversaries. By full-time, the sentiment echoed like a lament.

Scales standing tall in proving up to his onerous task – refusing to be bumped around by a clod-hopping Cyriel Dessers whom he dominated in aerial duels as the little-rated Irishman exhibited real composure in reading danger – typified Celtic’s endeavours as the club registered their first clean sheet at Ibrox in four years. Callum McGregor setting the tempo, and directing the play as if dressed in a penguin suit with a baton in hand.

No-one would have ruled out the possibility that Kyogo Furuhashi would conjure up a glorious finish on the day. The Japanese striker bagging a sixth derby goal to settle the issue in the second minute of first-half added time after Matt O’Riley nodded him through on goal in the act of intercepting a Connor Goldson headed clearance. Furuhashi then pouncing with glorious piazz to take – incredibly early – a bouncing ball and lash it in first-time from a full 18 yards. His predatory instincts in that blink-of-an-eye akin to a cheetah launching into its unsuspecting prey.
Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates with Liel Abada as he scores to make it 1-0 win over Rangers at Ibrox. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)
Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates with Liel Abada as he scores to make it 1-0 win over Rangers at Ibrox. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

However, no-one, absolutely no-one, would have ruled in the possibility that the Celtic goal could have remained intact throughout the 97 minutes played. Wherein their measured play allowed them to control the opening period, before keeper Joe Hart and those in front of him proved unyielding as Rangers forced themselves on to their visitors. Those of a Rangers disposition will say that this should not have been the case. And with good reason. In the 28th minute came the passage of play that will be endlessly debated and dissected in online forum and radio phone-ins, when Dessers appeared to punish Lagerbielke for dallying on the ball on the left flank before crossing for Kemar Roofe to thump high nto the net.

A VAR check ensued, with operative Alan Muir encouraging referee Don Robertson to go to his monitor in assessing that the Nigerian international had fouled his opponent in nicking the ball from him. Robertson agreed to disallow the goal but repeated viewing suggest there was very little in the way of an infringement in the interaction between the players. Dessers did have his arm on Lagerbielke’s back before the Celtic player lost his footing, but that outcome seemed more the result of the Swede kicking the striker’s leg than any other contact.

Beale’s understandable take was that “the boy [Lagerbielke] was lucky”, but he was also quick to point out the football left in the game at that point.

Rangers, across the entirety of the contest, were second best. A summation that the Englishman could not bring himself to recognise. Celtic, with Furuhashi twice inexplicably failing to covert when the goal was at his mercy in the first half before Jack Butland denied Liel Abada with a fingertip stop in the second, had the superior chances. Granted, Sam Lammers should have done better than allow the ball to become caught up in his feet with only Hart to beat in the second period and Danilo drew a fine double-stop from the Celtic keeper. The bottom line, though, is that the result was as felt right from the displays produced by the respective teams.
Referee Don Robertson awards the foul on Celtic’s Gustaf Lagerbielke and rules out Kemar Roofe’s Rangers goal after consulting the VAR monitor. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)
Referee Don Robertson awards the foul on Celtic’s Gustaf Lagerbielke and rules out Kemar Roofe’s Rangers goal after consulting the VAR monitor. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)

Beale’s post-match demeanour, even as he sought to hide it, betrayed that of a man who knows he is now walking a fine line. And has tripped over it in the minds of the dangerously populous lost-the-faith faction of the Rangers fanbase. In contrast, Rodgers sported the easy air of a man who knows a hard-to-please Celtic support will require to recognise he can make the weather in helming the club. Even as storm clouds appear to be gathering.

It was put to Beale that, following the 5-1 thumping by PSV Eindhoven that ended the club’s interest in the Champions League the other night, another loss to Celtic in a fixture of significance meant he was still searching for his first statement win in the charge of the club. A full nine months on from replacing Giovanni van Bronckhorst. A man who racked up a host of these in reaching the Europa League final, winning the Scottish Cup, and qualifying for the Champions League. Only to be ejected from his post as Celtic established a nine-point lead within three months of the league campaign being played out. A period during which he lost two league games…the same number Beale has in the space of only a month of this season. Moreover, with only Butland convincing among Rangers’ nine new signings as Celtic appear as if they can but improve as they bed in a host of their equal number of new arrivals, the portents hardly appear promising for the Ibrox manager. Certainly, it is early days in this campaign, and for any summer recruits. Beale, though, can’t afford too many more of the sort Rodgers and his men have just inflicted on him.

Kyogo Furuhashi gives Celtic win at Rangers to turn up pressure on Beale

Ewan Murray at Ibrox
@mrewanmurray
Sun 3 Sep 2023 14.09 BST

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/sep/03/rangers-celtic-scottish-premiership-match-report

Rangers supporters did not bother waiting until full time to make their displeasure towards Michael Beale abundantly clear. The 64th-minute removal of Kemar Roofe triggered howls of derision from the Ibrox stands which only intensified when the Rangers players completed an ill-advised lap of the pitch after the final whistle. Just four games into the Scottish Premiership season, Beale is a man under serious pressure.

It is difficult to make a case for the Rangers manager. After something of a summer transfer revolution, just three new players – Jack Butland, Dujon Sterling and Cyriel Dessers – started this Old Firm derby. Sterling only featured because of a shortage of left-backs. It should be noted that just one of Celtic’s recent recruits, Gustaf Lagerbielke, started but they were not the team in need of a transformation. The best side in Scotland from the last campaign are already four points clear of their oldest foes. Rangers lacked the finesse and composure of Celtic here. It looks as if Beale is presiding over regression rather than progression.
Rangers 0-1 Celtic: Scottish Premiership – as it happened
Read more

“It is a bitterly disappointing day,” said Beale. “It is not where we want to be in terms of points at this stage of the season.” Rangers’ manager said he understands the frustrations of fans but insisted the outcome was “harsh” on his team.

The latter point is not particularly valid. The decent football came from those in hoops. Nonetheless, Rangers can cling to a controversial first-half episode which prevented them from taking the lead. Dessers looked to have picked the pocket of Lagerbielke before playing in Roofe, who slammed the ball beyond Joe Hart. On the advice of the VAR official, match referee Don Robertson took a second look at the incident and determined Dessers fouled the Swedish defender. The free-kick was unquestionably soft in nature. “I think he is a lucky boy,” said Beale of Lagerbielke. Brendan Rodgers unsurprisingly took an alternative stance, with his belief that Lagerbielke was “nicked”.

As Beale, who offered faux defiance, stewed this was a significant victory for Rodgers. A League Cup exit at Kilmarnock and last weekend’s home draw with St Johnstone triggered grumbling among a section of the Celtic support. It helped the visitors’ cause at Ibrox that Callum McGregor was back to his best in midfield. He dictated the game. “It could have been more convincing but it is a brilliant win,” Rodgers said. “It is exactly what the group needed.”

Celtic started the better side in the opening 45 minutes but two gilt-edged chances missed by Kyogo Furuhashi meant it took until first-half stoppage time for them to press home that advantage. Connor Goldson’s lazy defensive header was returned with interest by Matt O’Riley. Furuhashi’s marauding run set him free from the Rangers backline; the Japan forward lashed home in fine fashion on the half-volley.

An excellent Jack Butland save prevented Liel Abada from doubling Celtic’s advantage five minutes after the restart. Sam Lammers wasted Rangers’ finest opportunity for salvation, the forward rounding Hart before tripping over his own feet. The moment rather summed up Rangers’ lack of sophistication.

Rodgers’ post-match concern surrounded the absence of away supporters at this fixture. “It is not the same game,” said Celtic’s manager. Whether his plea for substantial visiting allocations to be restored resonates in boardrooms remains to be seen.

“Michael and I are very satisfied with the work we have done both in and out in the summer,” boasted the Rangers chief executive, James Bisgrove, in programme notes. Paying punters beg to differ, as Beale now knows only too well.

Match Stats
Possession
CEL49
RGR51%

Attempts
14
Off target
3
On target
3
4
Corners
6
2
Fouls
15
15

Lineups
Rangers

1
Jack Butland
2
James Tavernier
6
Connor Goldson
5
John Souttar
21
Dujon Sterling
43
Nicolas Raskin
8
Ryan Jack
13
Todd Cantwell
25
Kemar Roofe
9
Cyriel Dessers
17
Rabbi Matondo

Substitutes

3
Ridvan Yilmaz (s 65′)
4
John Lundstram
11
Tom Lawrence (s 76′)
14
Sam Lammers (s 64′)
15
Jose Cifuentes
19
Abdallah Sima (s 76′)
26
Ben Davies
28
Robby McCrorie
99
Pereira Danilo (s 64′)

Celtic

1
Joe Hart
2
Alistair Johnston
4
Gustaf Lagerbielke
5
Liam Scales
3
Greg Taylor
33
Matt O’Riley
42
Callum McGregor
14
David Turnbull
11
Liel Abada
8
Kyogo Furuhashi
38
Daizen Maeda

Substitutes

7
Luis Palma
13
Hyun-Jun Yang (s 66′)
15
Odin Thiago Holm (s 66′)
18
Yuki Kobayashi
19
Hyeon-Gyu Oh (s 76′)
22
Hyeok-Kyu Kwon
25
Alexander Bernabei (s 74′)
29
Scott Bain
56
Anthony Ralston (s 65′)

Kyogo Furuhashi the hero as Celtic earn Old Firm bragging rights
Story by Ronnie Esplin • 3

yogo Furuhashi’s late first-half strike gave Celtic a crucial 1-0 Scottish Premiership win over Rangers in the Old Firm derby at Ibrox to heap pressure on Gers boss Michael Beale.

The Light Blues had the ball in the net twice in the first half but on both occasions the ‘goals’ were not allowed to stand – offside and a foul picked up by VAR – but Furuhashi could have scored twice before he fired the visitors in front just before the break.

There were no travelling supporters – Celtic rejected the offer of around 700 tickets, citing safety concerns – but that seemed to hinder rather than help the home side at times as they tried in vain to get back on level terms.

After just four league fixtures, leaders Celtic are already four points ahead of their Old Firm rivals going into the international break and the spotlight will be on Beale, who must have heard the boos ring out at the final whistle.

For Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, who was under some pressure himself after his team lost to Kilmarnock in the Viaplay Cup and then drew at home to St Johnstone, it was a return to the overwhelmingly positive derby results he enjoyed in his first spell as Parkhead boss.

Rangers had been knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers by PSV Eindhoven in midweek on a 7-3 aggregate, a result which brought the doom-mongers back to Beale’s door.

Dujon Sterling took over from the injured left-back Borna Barisic in Rangers’ line-up while midfielder Ryan Jack and striker Kemar Roofe returned with Jose Cifuentes and John Lundstram dropping out, while winger Liel Abada replaced Yang Hyun-Jun in Celtic’s XI.

There were only seconds on the clock when Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers set up Rabbi Matondo to knock the ball into the Celtic net, but the former was offside.

An expected Rangers onslaught failed to materialise.

Celtic were calmer in possession and in the 16th minute Hoops skipper Callum McGregor sent Abada down the right and his cross could not bring a clean connection from Furuhashi just yards from goal.

When home defender John Souttar lost possession, Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley sent Furuhashi clear but his angled drive was blocked by a combination of Ibrox goalkeeper Jack Butland and Light Blues centre-back Connor Goldson.

Moments later, Rangers had the ball in the net again.

When Celtic defender Gustaf Lagerbielke was challenged by Dessers just inside the Hoops half the ball broke clear for the Rangers attacker and he raced on before squaring the ball for Roofe, who took a touch before firing past Celtic keeper Joe Hart.

When referee Don Robertson checked the pitchside monitor at the behest of the VAR, he ruled the goal out for a foul on the Parkhead defender, albeit it looked soft.

Furuhashi eventually got on target seconds before the interval when O’Riley returned a Goldson header into the path of the Japan striker who confidently drove the ball past Butland to silence Ibrox.

An early second-half mistake by Goldson gifted the ball to Abada and his angled shot was just missed at the back post by Daizen Maeda.

Amid some huffing and puffing from Rangers, Butland had to save a decent drive from Holm on a Celtic break.

As the Govan side kept pressing, Hart raced out to foil Sam Lammers before denying Danilo twice from close range as Celtic held on for the win.

Rangers 0-1 Celtic: Kyogo’s strike secures Hoops victory in first Scottish Premiership Old Firm game of season

Match report as Celtic beat Rangers 1-0 in the first Old Firm game of the season; Rangers had a goal disallowed for offside with Kemar Roofe’s effort then controversially ruled out for a foul; Kyogo fired Celtic ahead before the break; Celtic are now four points clear of their rivals
Alison Conroy

Digital Sports Journalist @AlisonGConroy

Sunday 3 September 2023 15:38, UK
Kyogo Furuhashi fired Celtic ahead at Ibrox
Image: Kyogo Furuhashi scored the winner for Celtic at Ibrox

Kyogo Furuhashi’s stunning strike earned Celtic a 1-0 victory at Ibrox in the first Old Firm game of the season after Rangers saw two early goals disallowed.

Rabbi Matondo’s effort inside the opening minute was ruled out for offside before Kemar Roofe’s goal was controversially disallowed for a foul in the build-up.

Kyogo, who passed up two early opportunities, then smashed the ball into the net from outside the box to silence the home crowd just before the break.

Rangers had chances through Sam Lammers and Danilo but could not find a way past the defending champions who move four points ahead of them and two points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership table going into the international break.
Should Roofe’s goal have been disallowed? The Sky Sports pundits give their verdicts

Kris Boyd: “It is a shocking decision. How that can be brought back for a foul is incredible. Lagerbielke is caught on the ball and Dessers wins it back. Don Robertson has to be stronger after being sent to the pitchside monitor.”
Trending

Neil Lennon: “I think Celtic are fortunate. But l think it’s a foul.”

Rangers v Celtic player ratings: Ibrox flops score 5 as Celtic star man earns 9 supported by clutch of 8s

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/rangers-v-celtic-player-ratings-ibrox-flops-score-5-as-celtic-star-man-earns-9-supported-by-clutch-of-8s-4278691
Celtic overcame a spate of injuries to earn a 1-0 victory in the first Old Firm meeting of the season at Ibrox thanks to Kyogo Furuhashi’s strike on the stroke of half-time.
Alan Pattullo
By Alan Pattullo
Published 3rd Sep 2023, 15:59 BST
Updated 3rd Sep 2023, 16:55 BST
Comment

Here is how the players on both sides rated for their performance out of 10.
Rangers

Jack Butland: Combination of Rangers keeper and Goldson kept Celtic and Kyogo at bay after 25 minutes. He had no chance at the goal, which was taken early and hit purely by Kyogo into bottom right-hand corner of Butland’s goal. Good save from Abada in second half. 7
Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi scores to make it 1-0 over Rangers at Ibrox Stadium. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)
Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi scores to make it 1-0 over Rangers at Ibrox Stadium. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

James Tavernier: Didn’t offer the usual menace from the right and was well marshalled by a combination of Taylor and Maeda. Free kick in second half that looked within his range but ball dipped wide to fans’ disappointment. 6

Connor Goldson: Got back well to clear Kyogo’s seemingly goal-bound effort after 25 minutes but it was his poor header – straight to O’Riley – which led to Celtic’s opener. Sloppy on a couple of other occasions. 5

John Souttar: Sought to keep ball moving from the back and tried to be brave with passing but was dispossessed in run-up to Kyogo’s chance after 25 minutes. Also complicit when the same player struck the winner on the stroke of half-time having played him onside. 6

Dujon Sterling: Coped well in his first Old Firm derby and when up against the tricky Abada. But could not get forward enough, which is why he was replaced in the second half by Yilmaz. 6

Nicolas Raskin: Game threatened to pass him by in the first half but exerted slightly more influence in the second half. One neat ball through almost set up Lammers – indeed, did set him up, but the sub failed to convert. Otherwise, not involved enough over the 90. 5

Todd Cantwell: Not averse to tracking back which was commendable. Often seen sliding in to prevent dangerous situations worsening. Perhaps not as involved going forward as he – and Rangers – wanted and needed. Booked for a “good” foul on Maeda, drove straight at Hart in injury time. 6

Ryan Jack: Suffered some groans from fans at times when choosing to go backwards rather than forwards but knew the importance of keeping possession and did his best to circulate the ball. Replaced by Lawrence with 15 minutes left. 6

Rabbi Matondo: An undoubted livewire and gave Alistair Johnston, who is no slouch himself, something to think about. Missed a good chance just before Celtic edged ahead after poor clearance from Hart. Withdrawal prompted crowd unhappiness. 7

Kemar Roofe: Did little to disabuse the notion that he remains the best finisher at the club. Lashed home well in the 28 minutes but goal was ruled out for apparent earlier foul by Dessers on Lagerbielke. Header over at end of first half. Subbed off to mass disapproval after 64 minutes. 6

Cyriel Dessers: Put himself about but looks short of what a Rangers No 9 should be. Played to the crowd more than he provided useful input for the team. Should have reached Tavernier’s centre after eight minutes – but was offside anyway. And the jury remains out on whether he fouled Lagerbielke – or was it the other way about? – in run-up to Rangers’ second chopped-off goal. There were cheers when he was replaced, which sadly said it all. 5

Subs

Danilo (for Roofe) Two decent chances late on. Definitely made a difference and suggested he should have been on from the start.

Sam Lammers (for Matondo) Missed great chance after being put through by Raskin. Some decent touches but another ultimately fruitless cameo.

Ridvan Yilmaz (for Sterling): Sought to get Rangers higher up park. A couple of crosses which came to nothing.

Tom Lawrence (for Jack) Little time to impose himself.

Abdallah Sima (for Dessers) Tried to provide spark in cameo.
Celtic

Joe Hart: Saved from Matondo at the start of the second half but had a near escape when a poor clearance fell at the feet of the same player towards the end of the opening half. Fortunately for him Matondo could not convert. Couple of stops in second half from Danilo. 6

Alistair Johnston: Was solid enough in only his second start of the season before tiring late on after understandably running out of steam. Given a stiff test at times by Matondo but survived more comfortably than Rangers fans will have desired. 6

Gustaf Lagerbielke: Endured a tough Old Firm debut and was saved by what was interpreted as a push by Dessers on him after he was dispossessed by the big Rangers striker in the run-up to the controversially chopped off goal for the home side after 28 minutes. 6

Liam Scales: Some might have had fears for the him as he finds his feet back in the Celtic team again and with an Old Firm novice in Lagerbielke next to him. But he stuck to his task and stood up well to the physical challenge from Dessers. Booked for foul on Sima. Great block from Danilo late on. 8

Greg Taylor: Rangers scored down his side in opening minute though fortunately for Celtic it was chopped off for offside. The visitors steadied themselves and Taylor was assured enough before being replaced by Bernabei with 15 minutes left. 6

Liel Abada: Celebrated signing a new long-term deal with Celtic with a performance of vim and vigour. Kyogo was unusually wasteful with a fine ball from the winger after 16 minutes and was denied by a fine save from Butland in the second half with Maeda unable to capitalise. 7

David Turnbull: Unflashy performance that helped Celtic settle in partisan setting and then, after the opener, was a vital component as the visitors consolidated. Replaced by Holm midway through the second half. 6

Matt O’Riley: Lack of pace was an issue in the first half but what he does not possess in terms of speed he made up for in sheer stamina. Kept on running for the 90 plus minutes and was a useful outlet as Celtic sought to hold onto their lead – which they did with reasonable ease in the end. Excellent. 8

Diazen Maeda: Powerhouse on the left and gave Celtic an outlet while being willing to track back to snuff out Tavernier’s danger. Untidy sometimes in possession but can be satisfied with his contribution in a lung-busting 90 plus minutes. 8

Callum McGregor: So often the architect for Celtic in these games, Rangers seemed unable or, worse, seemed to think it was not necessary to pin him down in the opening half. Less influential in the second half but dug-in to help is teammates defensively as Celtic held out. Back to his best for the most part. 9

Kyogo Furuhashi: What more can you say about him? Again, the match winner. Peerless in the way he struck what turned out to be the decisive goal to silence the Ibrox crowd. Didn’t seem necessary to hit the ball so early but he did and it flew past Butland into the corner. Might have had another couple but uncharacteristically wasteful when trying to flick in Abada’s cross after 16 minutes and was caught in two minds after 25 minutes when through again. 8

Subs

Yang (for Abada) No end product on this occasion but made his presence felt.

Holm (for Turnbull) tested Butland with shot soon after coming on.

Oh (for Kyogo) passed up golden chance after from cross from fellow sub Bernabei.

Bernabei (for Taylor) Good cross for Oh who tried to dink it on for some reason rather than aim for goal.

Ralston for (Johnston) Several important interceptions.

BBC By Nick McPheatBBC Scotland

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66631549
3 hours ago3 hours ago.From the section Scottish Premiership
Kyogo Furuhashi
Kyogo Furuhashi’s sixth Old Firm derby goal concluded a frenetic first half at Ibrox

Brendan Rodgers answered early questions surrounding his second Celtic tenure by delivering a statement Old Firm Scottish Premiership win over Rangers in a controversial derby.

Kyogo Furuhashi provided the decisive moment again, capitalising on more slack defending by the home defence just before the break at Ibrox to ruthlessly lash in his sixth goal in five starts in the fixture.

But the Japan forward’s strike came after Rabbi Matondo had an offside effort disallowed inside the first minute, before Kemar Roofe had another chopped off for Cyriel Dessers’ contentious foul on Gustaf Lagerbielke.

The Celtic centre-back appeared to kick through the back of the Rangers striker while being dispossessed, but referee Don Robertson opted to rule the goal out after an on-field VAR review.

Michael Beale stressed the importance to “lay down a marker” pre-match following Wednesday’s Champions League humiliation in Eindhoven, but instead more pressure will now build on the Ibrox boss, who has just one win from six derbies.

Celtic, whose depleted defence consisted of centre-back pairing of Lagerbielke and Liam Scales making their Old Firm debuts, just about held firm after the interval with the help of Joe Hart to move Rodgers’ men top by two points and four clear of their rivals.

Reaction & as it happened
Everything Rangers – go straight to all the best content
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Old Firm management is a pressure cooker at the best of times, but prior to Sunday it was difficult to think of a derby in which both managers went into the fixture feeling a similar amount of heat.

Rodgers, still trying to win over a chunk of the Celtic fanbase, came into the game off the back of a Viaplay Cup exit at Kilmarnock a fortnight ago and a goalless draw at home to St Johnstone last week.

Beale, who also suffered defeat at Rugby Park in the first league game of the season, was fresh off a chastening 5-1 second-leg defeat to PSV in a failed Champions League qualifying campaign.

So it was little wonder that in a cauldron of noise at Ibrox, which was completely packed with home fans, both sets of players took turns in handling the pressure better.

Sandwiched between Rangers’ ruled out strikes, Kyogo failed to connect from close range and saw a finish cleared off the line by Connor Goldson, before firing over when he should have teed up Liel Abada, who had just forced Jack Butland into a superb fingertip save.

The remainder of the game was about Celtic’s defensive resistance and Rangers’ lack of clinical edge, which was laid bare by Sam Lammers’ glaring miss when he rounded Hart, who then made two key stops to deny Danilo in the dying stages.
Player of the match – Liam Scales
Liam Scales tackles Abdallah Sima
After a shaky opening period, the Celtic centre-back – making his Old Firm debut – delivered a colossal second-half display at the heart of a makeshift defence
Rangers fail to grasp another ‘big opportunity’ – analysis

“When you have a big opportunity, you need big performances,” were the words of Beale pre-match. Against a depleted Celtic defence, that opportunity was there for his players, but again they failed to grasp it.

Rightly or wrongly, a lot of the Rangers focus will be on Roofe’s disallowed goal, but that simply cannot detract attention from another defensive lapse which has decided a derby.

A simple Matt O’Riley header over the top caught John Souttar too deep in the hosts’ defensive line, allowing Kyogo to dispatch a clinical finish from an onside position.

What Beale would do for someone with the ruthless streak of the Japan striker, who had just nine touches in the game – four of which were shots.

Instead, his recent attacking recruits are doing little to inspire. The Rangers boss’ decision to start Roofe and Matondo perhaps highlights he is also yet to be convinced.

On the flipside, this win – Rodgers’ 10th from 13 derbies – will swat away minor doubts that were threatening to build around the infancy of his second spell at the club.

Based on this evidence, there is nothing to suggest that Celtic’s dominance will come to a halt, especially with a serial winner at the helm.
What they said
‘It’s been a rough week’ – Beale

Rangers manager Michael Beale: “Having seen [Roofe’s disallowed goal] back, he kicks Cyriel [Dessers], so I think it’s a harsh call. I think that’s one that’s gone against us, but there’s a lot of time to play in the game.

“The [Celtic] goal is an error on our part, a huge error. Second half, we pushed and pushed, but you’d like us to be more inventive and ruthless because the chances were there. It’s a desperately disappointing day for everybody. It’s been a rough week.”

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: “It’s a massive result for the squad when you consider virtually half the team is unavailable. To come here and keep a clean sheet, with not one away supporter in the stadium, is a brilliant.

“It’s a great finish from Kyogo, and it puts us in a position that I thought we deserved at half-time. The players stood up. Liam [Scales] was outstanding. A lot of the new players needed that big win to feel what the intensity is like at a club like Celtic.”
Celtic showed ‘resilience’ to beat Rangers – Rodgers
What’s next?

Following the international break, both sides return to action on 16 September as Rangers travel to St Johnstone (12:30 BST) before Celtic host Dundee.

Rangers 0-1 Celtic: Kyogo Furuhashi sign of champions’ strength at Ibrox

By Tom EnglishBBC Scotland at Ibrox

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66702093
37 minutes ago37 minutes ago.From the section Scottish Premiership
Liam Scales
Celtic’s young defender Liam Scales was a standout for Brendan Rodgers’ side

There’s clearly nothing that Rangers can do to defuse the buzz bomb that is Kyogo Furuhashi. Signing a top-notch goalkeeper in Jack Butland didn’t cut it. Signing eight outfield players in the summer didn’t make the difference. Playing the game in front of 50,000 of their own – and none of Celtic’s – was neither here nor there.

In the summer, Celtic lost Jota, who has lit up this fixture in the past. They lost Carl Starfelt, one half of a settled centre-back partnership, to a transfer abroad and Cameron Carter-Vickers, the other half of the treble-winning combination, to injury. None of that boomeranged back at them at Ibrox either. None of it.

For the fourth time this year in Old Firm games, the man who came up with the most decisive moment was Kyogo. Michael Beale, the Rangers manager, will have nightmares about him. In a frenetic, error-strewn derby that was madcap in its intensity but lacking much in the way of calmness and cohesion, the Japanese stood apart in an attacking sense.

An 88th-minute equaliser at Ibrox in January, a double in a 2-1 win in the League Cup final in February, another double in a 3-2 win at Celtic Park in April – and now this.

Rodgers’ Celtic win controversial Old Firm derby
Reaction & as it happened

Just before the break. A clearing header from Connor Goldson, a header in reply from Matt O’Riley, a ball soaring over the heads of the Rangers defence and only one player alive to the possibilities. His finish, a first-time volley, was delicious. Butland didn’t have a chance. Having missed twice earlier in the half, Kyogo relocated his ruthless touch and settled the first Old Firm game of the season.

What Rangers would give for a player like him. They’ve splurged on all sorts of attacking options in the summer, they’ve forked out relative fortunes in fees and salaries on myriad strikers and wingers and none of them have delivered so far.

Sam Lammers and Danilo started on the bench along with two other new arrivals, Jose Cifuentes and Abdallah Sima. When Lammers and Danilo came on in a forlorn pursuit of a point, they had chances they didn’t take.
‘A psychological blow landed in first half’

Celtic were teetering, but not folding. There was so much made of the possible frailties of Liam Scales at the heart of the Celtic defence, but the weakness was beside him. Gustaf Lagerbielke was vulnerable in a way that Scales was a rock. The Irishman stood up strong when so many folk would have doubted him.

Celtic were there for the taking if Rangers were good enough to take advantage, but they weren’t. The lack of a clinical edge brought Ibrox to its knees. The frustration and fury pouring from the stands was loud and angry. When Danilo came on for Kemar Roofe, and not the ineffective Cyriel Dessers, Ibrox let Beale have it square between the eyes. The endgame brought more thunder from the home fans.

Much will be made of the Rangers goal that wasn’t in the first half, the coming-together between Lagerbielke, the new and spooked Celtic centre-half, and Dessers, the new and spooked Rangers centre-forward.
Celtic showed ‘resilience’ to beat Rangers – Rodgers

Lagerbielke fell in a heap, Dessers ran on, squared for Roofe who scored. Dream start for the home team. A psychological blow landed on a team who arrived at Ibrox heavy on injuries and light on feelgood.

But, no. VAR stepped in and the goal was ruled out. Ibrox howled. Did Dessers’ right foot stand on Lagerbielke’s right foot in the key moment? Did Dessers put his foot in front of a player kicking the ball, which is a foul in the laws? That was where referee Don Robertson got to in the end. A close call, but not an excuse for Rangers.

Rangers had so much ball and so many opportunities to get a point, or three, but weren’t good enough. Celtic hung in there, rising above their own inadequacies on the day, surviving the loss of their first-choice centre-halves and their creative midfielder, Reo Hatate.
‘Another dose of defeat inflicted by Rodgers’

Rodgers said he wanted his players to “play like men” in a hothouse atmosphere, where it was 50,011 versus 11. Celtic have had prettier and way more emphatic victories over their old rivals, but this was as sweet as any of them.

Watching from afar, the Celtic fans will have celebrated as if this was the greatest of the lot. They’re entitled to throw some bitter truths at their opposite numbers now – if Rangers can’t score and lose to a weakened and shaky Celtic at Ibrox what fate will become them when the defensive cavalry exits the treatment room and returns to the team and when Rodgers has more time to instil his methods on the training ground?

It’s not just Carter-Vickers, Maik Nawrocki and Hatate to come back for Celtic, it’s the battalion of new boys as well. Odin Holm looked impressive when he came on. Holm is only 20. Paulo Bernardo and Yang Hyun-jun are only 21, Kwon Hyeok-kyu and Marco Tilio are only 22. Luis Palma is 23.
‘It’s been a rough week’ – Beale

When Rodgers gets to work on that lot, things might get interesting at Celtic. As it is, he left Ibrox with his excellent record enhanced. He’s come up against Rangers on 14 occasions and has still lost just once.

In his first incarnation his team created history by scoring five at Ibrox and more history when winning 4-0 at Hampden, their biggest win over their old rivals at the national stadium in nearly 40 years. He inflicted some serious suffering on Rangers in his time – and this was another dose. Different, but wounding all the same.

The respective demeanours of the managers at the end told the story. Rodgers hugged his staff and beamed brightly on the side line. Beale, by comparison, looked hangdog. Another big game and still the wait goes on for a truly meaningful victory. He’s been in the job for nearly 40 games stretching back to mid-December. Progress, if it exists at all, is only visible through a telescope.

Beale turns 43 on Monday. He’ll have happier birthdays. More a time for post-mortems than presents in his world.

Match ends, Rangers 0, Celtic 1.
90’+8′

Full Time

Second Half ends, Rangers 0, Celtic 1.

90’+7′

Post update

Foul by Matt O’Riley (Celtic).
90’+7′

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Tom Lawrence (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90’+6′

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Anthony Ralston (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90’+6′

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Foul by Tom Lawrence (Rangers).
90’+6′

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Attempt missed. Todd Cantwell (Rangers) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Abdallah Sima with a cross.
90’+5′

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Attempt blocked. Sam Lammers (Rangers) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Todd Cantwell.
90’+5′

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Daizen Maeda (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90’+5′

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Foul by Connor Goldson (Rangers).
90’+4′

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Foul by Oh Hyeon-Gyu (Celtic).
90’+4′

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Connor Goldson (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90’+3′

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Attempt saved. Todd Cantwell (Rangers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Ridvan Yilmaz.
90’+2′

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Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90’+2′

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Foul by Tom Lawrence (Rangers).
88′

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Attempt missed. Sam Lammers (Rangers) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Ridvan Yilmaz with a cross.
87′

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Attempt saved. Daizen Maeda (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
86′

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Oh Hyeon-Gyu (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
86′

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Foul by Tom Lawrence (Rangers).
85′

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Attempt saved. Danilo (Rangers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Abdallah Sima with a cross.

84′

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Attempt saved. Danilo (Rangers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Connor Goldson.
84′

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Foul by Matt O’Riley (Celtic).

84′

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Tom Lawrence (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
84′

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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
82′

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Delay in match because of an injury Todd Cantwell (Rangers).
81′

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Foul by Oh Hyeon-Gyu (Celtic).
81′

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Tom Lawrence (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
79′

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Anthony Ralston (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
79′

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Foul by Sam Lammers (Rangers).
78′

Booking

Liam Scales (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
78′

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Foul by Liam Scales (Celtic).
78′

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Abdallah Sima (Rangers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
76′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Oh Hyeon-Gyu replaces Kyogo Furuhashi.
76′

Substitution

Substitution, Rangers. Tom Lawrence replaces Ryan Jack.
76′

Substitution

Substitution, Rangers. Abdallah Sima replaces Cyriel Dessers.
75′

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Attempt missed. Sam Lammers (Rangers) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Nicolas Raskin.
74′

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Foul by Odin Holm (Celtic).
74′

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Nicolas Raskin (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
74′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Alexandro Bernabéi replaces Greg Taylor.
73′

Booking

Todd Cantwell (Rangers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

73′

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Daizen Maeda (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
73′

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Foul by Todd Cantwell (Rangers).

73′

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Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Gustaf Lagerbielke.
73′

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Attempt blocked. Danilo (Rangers) header from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by James Tavernier with a cross.
72′

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Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Anthony Ralston.
72′

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Attempt blocked. Ryan Jack (Rangers) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
71′

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Attempt missed. Danilo (Rangers) header from the left side of the six yard box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Todd Cantwell with a cross following a corner.
70′

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Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Anthony Ralston.
70′

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Attempt blocked. Sam Lammers (Rangers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
69′

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Attempt missed. Danilo (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Cyriel Dessers.
68′

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Attempt saved. Odin Holm (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Kyogo Furuhashi.
67′

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Foul by Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic).
67′

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Connor Goldson (Rangers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
67′

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Attempt missed. Connor Goldson (Rangers) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by James Tavernier with a cross following a corner.
67′

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Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Gustaf Lagerbielke.
66′

Post update

Delay over. They are ready to continue.
66′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Odin Holm replaces David Turnbull.
66′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Yang Hyun-Jun replaces Liel Abada.
65′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Anthony Ralston replaces Alistair Johnston because of an injury.
65′

Substitution

Substitution, Rangers. Ridvan Yilmaz replaces Dujon Sterling.

64′

Substitution

Substitution, Rangers. Danilo replaces Kemar Roofe.
64′

Post update

Delay in match because of an injury Alistair Johnston (Celtic).

64′

Substitution

Substitution, Rangers. Sam Lammers replaces Rabbi Matondo.
63′

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Offside, Rangers. James Tavernier tries a through ball, but Kemar Roofe is caught offside.
63′

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Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Daizen Maeda.
62′

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Attempt missed. James Tavernier (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left from a direct free kick.
61′

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Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
61′

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Rabbi Matondo (Rangers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
60′

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Offside, Rangers. Dujon Sterling tries a through ball, but Cyriel Dessers is caught offside.
59′

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Attempt missed. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is too high. Assisted by Liel Abada following a fast break.
58′

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Alistair Johnston (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
58′

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Foul by Cyriel Dessers (Rangers).
56′

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Attempt missed. Todd Cantwell (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is too high following a set piece situation.
56′

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Foul by Daizen Maeda (Celtic).
56′

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Todd Cantwell (Rangers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
55′

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Offside, Rangers. John Souttar tries a through ball, but Todd Cantwell is caught offside.
51′

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David Turnbull (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
51′

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Foul by Dujon Sterling (Rangers).
51′

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Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
51′

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Foul by Cyriel Dessers (Rangers).

50′

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Attempt saved. Liel Abada (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
50′

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Matt O’Riley (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

50′

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Foul by Todd Cantwell (Rangers).
47′

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Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
47′

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Foul by Nicolas Raskin (Rangers).
46′

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Foul by Liam Scales (Celtic).
46′

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Cyriel Dessers (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Second Half

Second Half begins Rangers 0, Celtic 1.
45’+4′

Half Time

First Half ends, Rangers 0, Celtic 1.
45’+3′

Post update

Offside, Rangers. Connor Goldson tries a through ball, but Rabbi Matondo is caught offside.
45’+2′
Goal!

Goal! Rangers 0, Celtic 1. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Matt O’Riley with a headed pass.
45’+1′

Post update

Attempt missed. Kemar Roofe (Rangers) header from the right side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by James Tavernier with a cross following a corner.
45′

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Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Gustaf Lagerbielke.
43′

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Attempt missed. Rabbi Matondo (Rangers) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
37′

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Daizen Maeda (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
37′

Post update

Foul by James Tavernier (Rangers).
35′

Post update

Foul by Daizen Maeda (Celtic).
35′

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James Tavernier (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
34′

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David Turnbull (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
34′

Post update

Foul by Nicolas Raskin (Rangers).

32′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Rabbi Matondo.
30′

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VAR Decision: No Goal Rangers 0-0 Celtic.

28′

Post update

GOAL OVERTURNED BY VAR: Kemar Roofe (Rangers) scores but the goal is ruled out after a VAR review.
28′

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Gustaf Lagerbielke (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
28′

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Foul by Cyriel Dessers (Rangers).
26′

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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by James Tavernier.
25′

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Attempt blocked. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Matt O’Riley with a through ball.
20′

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Foul by Liel Abada (Celtic).
20′

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Dujon Sterling (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
16′

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Attempt missed. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Liel Abada with a cross.
11′

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Foul by Daizen Maeda (Celtic).
11′

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Todd Cantwell (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
11′

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Alistair Johnston (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
11′

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Foul by Rabbi Matondo (Rangers).
8′

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Foul by Liel Abada (Celtic).
8′

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Dujon Sterling (Rangers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
7′

Post update

Offside, Celtic. Callum McGregor tries a through ball, but Kyogo Furuhashi is caught offside.
7′

Post update

Foul by Liam Scales (Celtic).
7′

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Kemar Roofe (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
1′

Post update

Offside, Rangers. Kemar Roofe tries a through ball, but Cyriel Dessers is caught offside.

Kick Off

First Half begins.

Rangers 0-1 Celtic: How Celtic ‘stood up’ to seize Rangers ‘big opportunity’

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66701904
By Nick McPheat
BBC Scotland
Last updated on3 September 20233 September 2023.
From the sectionScottish Premiership

‘It’s been a rough week’ for Rangers – Beale
Michael Beale called on his Rangers players to grasp a “big opportunity” at Ibrox in Sunday’s first Old Firm clash of the campaign.

Given depleted Celtic were travelling with a makeshift defence, consisting of derby debutants Gustaf Lagerbielke and Liam Scales, Beale’s men had the chance to make an early season statement against a Brendan Rodgers side with questions to answer.

Instead, it was Rodgers who batted away any lingering doubts while further pressure will inevitably mount on his Rangers counterpart.

The Ibrox boss can perhaps count himself unlucky with Kemar Roofe’s contentious disallowed goal – a “harsh call” in the eyes of Beale – but yet another defensive lapse for Kyogo Furuhashi’s winner and a serious lack of cutting edge only increases the Ibrox doubters.

“It’s been a rough week,” said the Rangers manager, whose side were eliminated from Champions League qualifying with a heavy defeat by PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.

“It’s a desperately disappointing day for everybody. The Celtic goal is an error on our part, a huge error, and we would like to be more inventive and ruthless because the chances were there.

“We’re behind them now and we have a lot of catching up to do. We have to come back stronger.”

Rodgers’ Celtic win controversial Old Firm derby
‘Rangers haven’t improved in attack’
A derby victory in May, albeit when Celtic had already wrapped up the title, had the potential to break down a psychological barrier that has plagued Rangers in this fixture. But the same issues resurfaced.

Beale cannot legislate for a controversial decision going against his team, but he will have to account for his defence switching off again and his fresh frontline failing to make the most of their opportunities.

The Ibrox side had almost three times the amount of touches (34) in the opposing box as Celtic (12) and more than double the number of shots (11 to five) in the penalty area.

With four shots, Kyogo got his goal. With a combined nine efforts from Rangers strikers Danilo and Sam Lammers, they failed to find the net, while fellow new recruit Cyriel Dessers did not manage a single strike in his 76 minutes on the pitch.

Those numbers only add fuel to the concerns about the Beale’s summer recruitment, which included no new centre-backs and heavy spending on a new-look attack that is misfiring.

“Danilo was [reportedly] £6m,” former Rangers striker Kris Boyd said on Sky Sports. “These are not development players. You’re going to be judged in the big games. For the money that’s been spent, why didn’t they get a Lawrence Shankland?

“Have they improved in that area? Not for me. If you don’t get your recruitment spot on, you’re going to come under scrutiny. That’s where Beale finds himself right now.”

Rodgers’ players ‘stood up’ to occasion

Celtic showed ‘resilience’ to beat Rangers – Rodgers
“I said to them before the game that I needed men today and the players stood up,” Rodgers told BBC Scotland.

Considering nine of his XI were experienced campaigners in this fixture, there can be doubt that comment was directed towards his centre-back pairing.

Both Scales and Lagerbielke – who was deemed to have been fouled in the preamble to the disallowed Roofe goal – endured shaky starts.

However, with a bit of additional help from a wasteful Rangers attack and the experience of Joe Hart between the sticks, both centre-backs delivered a colossal second-half display.

Scales’ tally of three interceptions was the highest of any player, as was his 10 clearances, while Lagerbielke, who registered the most touches (91) for Celtic, won five of his seven duels.

“It’s a massive result for the squad when you consider virtually half the team is unavailable,” Rodgers added. “A lot of the new players needed that big win to feel what the intensity is like at a club like Celtic.

“Second half, we had to show resilience and fight. To come here, keep a clean sheet and win with not one away supporter in the stadium is brilliant.”

Rangers 0-1 Celtic: Kyogo Furuhashi sign of champions’ strength at Ibrox

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66702093
By Tom English
BBC Scotland at Ibrox
Last updated on3 September 20233 September 2023.
From the sectionScottish Premiership
Liam Scales
Celtic’s young defender Liam Scales was a standout for Brendan Rodgers’ side
There’s clearly nothing that Rangers can do to defuse the buzz bomb that is Kyogo Furuhashi. Signing a top-notch goalkeeper in Jack Butland didn’t cut it. Signing eight outfield players in the summer didn’t make the difference. Playing the game in front of 50,000 of their own – and none of Celtic’s – was neither here nor there.

An 88th-minute equaliser at Ibrox in January, a double in a 2-1 win in the League Cup final in February, another double in a 3-2 win at Celtic Park in April – and now this.

Rodgers’ Celtic win controversial Old Firm derby
Reaction & as it happened
Just before the break. A clearing header from Connor Goldson, a header in reply from Matt O’Riley, a ball soaring over the heads of the Rangers defence and only one player alive to the possibilities. His finish, a first-time volley, was delicious. Butland didn’t have a chance. Having missed twice earlier in the half, Kyogo relocated his ruthless touch and settled the first Old Firm game of the season.

‘A psychological blow landed in first half’
Celtic were teetering, but not folding. There was so much made of the possible frailties of Liam Scales at the heart of the Celtic defence, but the weakness was beside him. Gustaf Lagerbielke was vulnerable in a way that Scales was a rock. The Irishman stood up strong when so many folk would have doubted him.

Celtic showed ‘resilience’ to beat Rangers – Rodgers
Lagerbielke fell in a heap, Dessers ran on, squared for Roofe who scored. Dream start for the home team. A psychological blow landed on a team who arrived at Ibrox heavy on injuries and light on feelgood.

‘Another dose of defeat inflicted by Rodgers’
Rodgers said he wanted his players to “play like men” in a hothouse atmosphere, where it was 50,011 versus 11. Celtic have had prettier and way more emphatic victories over their old rivals, but this was as sweet as any of them.

‘It’s been a rough week’ – Beale
When Rodgers gets to work on that lot, things might get interesting at Celtic. As it is, he left Ibrox with his excellent record enhanced. He’s come up against Rangers on 14 occasions and has still lost just once.

Beale turns 43 on Monday. He’ll have happier birthdays. More a time for post-mortems than presents in his world.

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