Match Pictures | Matches: 2024 – 2025
Trivia
- KO: 12:30, Sunday; Sky Sports TV; League Match 30
- Lot of Celtic injuries with CalMac (injury), Scales (injury) & Trusty (calf injury) out. Celtic really missed Callum McGregor today.
- Nawrocki gets a very surprise start, and was ranked as possibly one of the only players to come out of this game with positive feedback from the Celtic supporters.
- Green Brigade were kettled before the game and told they’re not getting into the game today by Police Scotland! Police Scotland said the group was denied access due to their refusal to be searched. Seems excessive.
- Sevco fans allowed into Celtic Park for the first time in a few years, but now there’s an installation of netting.
- Reports confirmed that both sets of ultras were denied access, with the Green Brigade halted on London Road by police and the Union Bears marched away from the stadium before kick-off. Social media was flooded with images of heavy police presence and blockades, with fans demanding answers as to why these groups were prevented from attending. Sources close to CeltsAreHere have made it clear that Celtic had no hand in stopping the Green Brigade from entering the ground. The situation was entirely handled by Police Scotland, who have yet to provide a full explanation for their actions.
Post-match: Green Brigade has revealed the group is taking legal advice over a “premeditated attack” ahead of the match – as supporters were held by police. - Tifo: The Green Brigade Ultras group issued a statement after Celtic rejected their tifo plans todays game. “Tifos are now customary for major fixtures and widely accepted to add to the occasion and atmosphere. It is therefore particularly disappointing to lose this when opposition fans will return to the derby in reasonable number for the first time in almost seven years, eager to make their mark.”
- Police Scotland probe Sevco winger Vaclav Cerny after he soaked Celtic fans with water during post-match celebrations and could face a SFA ban while Dujon Sterling is under investigation for comments made about Celtic Park on social media.
- Sevco during the week won on penalties to get thru to the quarter finals of the Uefa Cup.
- Hyun-jun Yang’s recent form for Celtic has earned him a return to the South Korea squad for World Cup qualifiers.
- Celtic have reportedly scouted Dundee United forward Owen Stirton, the 18-year-old forward on loan at Montrose.
- St Johnstone confirmed that Celtic fans will have the North, South and East Stands for the April 6 league game between the teams.
- Celtic loanee Gustaf Lagerbielke has received a call-up to represent Sweden this month after his stand-out season at FC Twente
- Kieran Tierney, who will return to Celtic this summer, was on the end of a heavy challenge by Ivan Perisic in Arsenal’s aggregate win-completing draw with PSV Eindhoven.
- Kyogo finally picked for the Japan squad despite getting next to no time with Rennes!
- Horse Racing: Paul Mulligan-trained Hunskelper has been backed from 66/1 this morning into as low as 3/1 for the www.thurlesraces.ie (Pro/Am) Flat Race (all due to Celtic fans betting on the horse). The horse finished sixth!
- Out on loan Marco Tilio, who last played for Celtic in December 2023, hints that he could soon sever ties with Celtic (no one will notice).
Summary
Ex-Celt Chris Sutton: Celtic missed Callum McGregor’s leadership and they missed his quality. It was so careless the goal they gave away for the winner. I think Cameron Carter-Vickers ducks out of the way. Rangers have beaten Celtic twice this season, but they are not going to win the league. They play well when the pressure isn’t on. In many ways they’ll be kicking themselves, because they can produce performances like today but they’re miles away.
“Let’s see which comes first,” says Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn pre-match when asked about ambitions to play for Germany and in one of Europe’s top-five leagues. He had a dire game today and was pulled
Q: Your thoughts on that, Cameron?
CCV: “Yeah, I thought we didn’t start the game well, obviously, considering early on. Probably more on the ball than anything, we just didn’t seem to kind of keep the ball well enough and kind of pin them back the way we usually do and the way we want to do. And that kind of led to them having a few chances from our mistakes or counter-attack chances that they created first half. Second half was better, obviously scored the two goals. Kind of progressed through the pitch a bit better than we did in the first half and created a few chances, obviously. And then, you know, disappointing to see concede at the end of the game.”
Q: Does a result like this make you more determined to now go on that kind of run towards the end, that you really slam home how far you are ahead?
Cameron Carter-Vickers: “I mean, we wanted to do that before this game, and obviously after this game we want to do the same. We’ve got a comfortable kind of lead in the table, and that’s good. That shows the good work we’ve done so far up to this point, but we definitely want to continue until the end of the season. Performances like today are probably not good enough, and we’ve got to improve.”
E Tims: Anyone who questions CalMac’s place in the team needs their heid examined. Mid completely lost without his control and leadership. Aye, age catches up with all players but for the now he’s such an important quality player. Embarrassing first half and then back to being pedestrian and passive after going 2-2 just criminal. An overall honkin performance and should never have been allowed after the last one! Still cant quite understand why Rodgers didnt even get Ralston and Taylor on for last 10 minutes.. fresh legs and minds on compared to the shadows out there.
Inside The SPFL @AgentScotland: Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. Sevco’ attitude was spot on while Celtic were slow, lethargic, predictable & passive for long spells during that game. Schlupp was horrific, Johnston lacked energy, Schmeichel poor, Kühn embarrassing & Engels anonymous.
Paul Harkin @paulharkin.bsky.social
My takeaways:
1. Callum McG is a vital timing piece who is scandalously under-appreciated.
2. Maik Nawrocki prob only #CelticFC player to emerge with credit.
3. Over-crowding in the #RangersFC dug-out is a major public safety risk. I predicted that there might have be an incident if late winner!
4. A good result v Bilboa and Barry F is the next permanent Gers mgr. This would be great for the Celts.
5. #CelticFC fans need to show a bit more humility.
6.The ‘Old Firm’ is nothing but a Sky Sports marketing dream.
7. The much maligned James T was gracious in victory.
8. Maeda is James T’s absolute nightmare.
9. When they play slowly, #CelticFC look quite average.
10. For all the talk about tactics and shape, the difference between success and failure is sometimes just a long ball booted down field.
Teams
Celtic
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Formation: 4 – 3 – 3
01 K. Schmeichel
15 J. Schlupp
17 M. Nawrocki
20 C. Carter-Vickers (c), Captain
02 A. Johnston
41 R. Hatate
27 A. Engels
14 L. McCowan
07 Jota, subbed for Yang Hyun-Jun at 70mins
38 D. Maeda
10 N. Kühn, subbed for A. Idah at 46mins
Subs:
59 J. Bonnar
09 A. Idah
24 J. Kenny
47 D. Murray
56 A. Ralston
12 V. Sinisalo
03 G. Taylor
66 F. Turley
13 Yang Hyun-Jun
Goals:
D. Maeda (49′)
R. Hatate (74′)
Assists:
Jota (49′), L. McCowan (74′)
The Rangers
Manager: Barry Ferguson
Formation: 3 – 4 – 1 – 2
01 J. Butland
27 L. Balogun, subbed for R. Pröpper at 56mins
05 J. Souttar
21 D. Sterling 34′, Yellow Card at 34mins, subbed for C. Nsiala at 82mins
03 R. Yılmaz
43 N. Raskin
08 C. Barron, subbed for T. Lawrence at 83mins
02 J. Tavernier (c), Captain
10 M. Diomande, subbed for I. Hagi at 66mins
09 C. Dessers
18 V. Černý, subbed for H. Igamane at 83mins
Subs:
14 N. Bajrami
30 I. Hagi 77′, Yellow Card at 77mins
29 H. Igamane
31 L. Kelly
11 T. Lawrence
19 C. Nsiala
99 Danilo
04 R. Pröpper 74′, Yellow Card at 74 minutes
49 B. Rice
Goals:
N. Raskin (4′)
M. Diomande (37′)
H. Igamane (88′)
Assists:
J. Tavernier (4′), N. Raskin (37′), J. Butland (88′)
Referee Steven McLean
Video Assistant Referee John Beaton
Assistant Referee 1 Graeme Stewart
Assistant Referee 2 Dougie Potter
Fourth Official Don Robertson
Assistant VAR Official Sean Carr
Att:
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
Overall possession
Celtic 71.7% Rangers 28.3%
Shots
Celtic 14 Rangers 10
Shots on target
Celtic 6 Rangers 5
Total touches inside the box
Celtic 22 Rangers 20
Goalkeeper saves
Celtic 3 Rangers 3
Fouls
Celtic 10 Rangers 13
Corners
Celtic 7 Rangers 6
Advanced match stats
Shots
Celtic 14 Rangers 10
Shots on target
Celtic 6 Rangers 5
Shots off target
Celtic 7 Rangers 4
Blocked shots
Celtic 1 Rangers 1
Attempts out of box
Celtic 5 Rangers 3
Total offside
Celtic 2 Rangers 0
Total tackles
Celtic 10 Rangers 19
Won tackles
Celtic 8 Rangers 13
Fouls
Celtic 10 Rangers 13
Total yellow cards
Celtic 0 Rangers 3
Total clearances
Celtic 21 Rangers 25
Headed clearances
Celtic 12 Rangers 10
Duels won
Celtic 50 Rangers 48
Clearances off the line
Celtic 0 Rangers 1
Total passes
Celtic 551 Rangers 215
Accurate passes
Celtic 464 Rangers 141
Backward passes
Celtic 97 Rangers 31
Forward passes
Celtic 175 Rangers 84
Total long balls
Celtic 43 Rangers 53
Successful final third passes
Celtic 100 Rangers 30
Total crosses
Celtic 16 Rangers 9
Touches
Celtic 749 Rangers 391
Touches in the box
Celtic 22 Rangers 20
Dispossessed
Celtic 5 Rangers 7
Goalkeeper saves
Celtic 3 Rangers 3
Diving saves
Celtic 2 Rangers 2
Saved shots from inside the box
Celtic 1 Rangers 2
Saved shots from outside the box
Celtic 1 Rangers 2
Keeper throws
Celtic 3 Rangers 1
Goal kicks
Celtic 5 Rangers 13
Punches
Celtic 0 Rangers 1
Pre Match Facts
Celtic are unbeaten in their last eight home league games against Rangers (W6 D2), winning each of their last five in a row. Never in their history have the Hoops won six consecutive home league Old Firm derbies.
After their 3-0 win in January, Rangers are looking to win back-to-back league Old Firm derbies against Celtic for the first time since August 2021 under Steven Gerrard, and first time within a single season since winning their first two such meetings of the 2020-21 campaign.
Seven of the last 13 league Old Firm derbies have seen the opening goal scored within the first 10 minutes of the match. The side scoring first has won seven of the last eight league meetings between Celtic and Rangers, with the exception being a 3-3 draw between the sides in April 2024.
Celtic have won 19 of their last 20 home league games (D1), including each of their last 10 in a row by an aggregate score of 37-1. The Hoops have scored 2+ goals in all 20 of these matches – their longest ever such run in the league.
Rangers have lost two of their last three league games (W1), as many as their previous 18 beforehand (W12 D4). The Gers could lose successive matches in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since March 2018 under Graeme Murty.
This will be Barry Ferguson’s first Old Firm derby in charge of Rangers. None of the club’s last eight managers to face Celtic have won their first meeting with their rivals in all competitions (D3 L5), with the last being Ally McCoist in September 2011. Away from home, eight of the last 10 Rangers managers to visit Celtic lost their first trip (D2) since Walter Smith won 2-0 in August 1991.
Articles
An inexcusable performance and a return of Brendan’s team being leaked
By justanordinarybhoy 16 March, 2025 2 Comments
Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic, looks on prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
An inexcusable performance and a return of Brendan’s team being leaked
An inexcusable performance from Celtic, the lack of desire was damning. And Brendan needs to sort out his team-leak problem…
Daizen Maeda of Celtic
Daizen Maeda of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Well, where do we start after that performance today? An utter Inexcusable display with only a few players earning pass marks in a game we should have been busting a gut to win.
Only the likes of Maik Nawrocki, Jota, and Daizen Maeda can hold their heads high as they least put some sort of effort into the game. Our so called experienced big hitters such as Kasper Schmeichel, Cameron Carter Vickers (who played with a toe injury), Alistair Johnston, Jeffery Schlupp and Nicolas Kuhn let themselves, the manager and the supporters down by producing a dire, sub par performance in terms of both performance and commitment.
Hamza Igamane scores
Hamza Igamane of theRangers scores his team’s third goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Arne Engels and Reo Hatate just about merit a passmark and Yang did well coming off the bench, unlike Adam Idah who really needs to start justifying that £9m transfer. Talking of substitutes, Brendan Rodgers is bemoaning the late winner for theRangers but he indirectly contributed to that by failing to put Alistair Johnston out of his misery as the Canadian endured the worst ninety five minutes of his career. As a right back Rodgers had a ready made chance on the bench in Anthony Ralston yet chose to keep Johnston involved when the chance was obvious to every pair of watching Celtic eyes. A dreadful error by the manager that ultimately lost us the game.
Callum McGregor’s ability and leadership was badly missed in the middle of park. Even the presence of the much criticised Auston Trusty was missed in defence with the usually reliable CCV looking a pale shadow of his usual commanding self.
Barry Ferguson celebrates
Barry Ferguson, Interim Manager of theRangers, celebrates with backroom staff after Mohamed Diomande scored the team’s second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
All this contributed to a woeful unforgivable performance against an average side who we made look half decent. Sure they wanted it more due to the lack of pressure on them, but that’s not an excuse and we have to hold a long post mortem into what went wrong and make sure we bounce back and secure the title as quickly as possible.
Today won’t have damaged our title aspirations, and the treble remains well and truly on, but that still that doesn’t excuse our failure, or Celtic shipping NINE goals in three matches against today’s opponents, who now have six points from three matches against Celtic this season with one match to play.
The Celtic Board
Peter Lawwell, Chairman of Celtic, Dermot Desmond, Non-Executive Director of Celtic, and Michael Nicholson, CEO of Celtic, are seen in attendance prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The 3-2 win for theRangers could be enough to convince the Ibrox decision makers to give Barry Ferguson and his coaching team the gig on a permanent basis, which should suit Celtic just fine. That Celtic bench today was way short of quality and experience and with touching £80m resting in the Celtic PLC’s bank account that’s not really acceptable.
Celtic have not had a bad injury run this season, but with McGregor, Trusty and Bernardo missing we looked short in depth and quality. That needs fixing. So to does the team news being leaked. We knew the Celtic team around 9am this morning but choose not to post it on The Celtic Star or share the ‘rumour ‘ on social media, but it was being talked about and could easily have reached theRangers.
That is coming from Celtic – someone talking a wage – or someone around Celtic in the pre-match base – and that needs to be sorted out immediately.
Derby disappointment for Celtic
First Team
By Paul Cuddihy, Celtic View Editor
Share
16 Mar 2025, 2:26 pm
Scottish Premiership
Sunday, March 16, 2025
Celtic Park, Glasgow
CELTIC…2
(Maeda 48, Hatate 73)
RANGERS…3
(Raskin 3, Diomande 37, Igamane 88)
It proved to be a day of derby disappointment for Celtic as they lost 3-2 at home in a game where they had come from two goals down before conceding a third goal late in the game.
Celtic had barely enjoyed any touches of the ball before the visitors took the lead in the third minute when Nico Raskin headed home from a corner.
It was a shock start to the game for the Hoops, although they quickly fashioned an opportunity when Luke McCowan floated a ball over the top of the Rangers defence for Daizen Maeda, but his effort was saved.
In the ninth minute, Reo Hatate had a shot from the edge of the area pushed wide for a corner when it looked as though it was heading for the top corner.
But just six minutes later, the visitors squandered a great chance to double their lead, but Vaclav Cerny couldn’t finish after he’d intercepted a pass out from Kasper Schmeichel.
Leon Balagan had a header from a corner cleared off the line in the 26th minute, while on the half-hour mark Arne Engels tried his luck from distance but his effort went high and wide.
In the 37th minute, Rangers made it 2-0 when Mohamed Diomande finished from 10 yards out after being set up by Raskin.
Jota was looking dangerous for Celtic down the left flank and had an effort from close-range deflected out for a corner before he tried his luck from 35 yards out with a shot which just flashed wide of the target.
And just before the break, Maik Nawrocki saw his header from an Engels corner saved by Jack Buckland.
72%
Possession
28%
14
Shots
10
6
Shots On Target
5
7
Corners
6
10
Fouls
13
0
0
Cards
3
0
Celtic started the second half on the front foot and reduced the deficit just three minutes after the break when Daizen Maeda rose highest to head home a Jota cross to the far post.
Reo Hatate was at the heart of Celtic’s attacking threat as they searched for an equaliser and on 54 minutes he hit a volley which was deflected out for a corner.
Just after the hour mark, good work from Engels and Maeda saw the ball land at the feet of Luke McCowan inside the area but his low shot went just wide.
But on 73 minutes, Brendan Rodgers’ side drew level. This time, McCowan was the provider, threading a ball in for Hatate to slot into the net.
Four minutes later, Jeffrey Schlupp came close when his shot from the edge of the area was well saved, while at the other end Connor Barron hit a low shot just wide of the target.
Hatate had another shot from 20 yards that went just wide as the Hoops pushed forward, but from the resulting goal-kick, the visitors grabbed their third goal of the game.
A long ball wasn’t headed clear and when Alistair Johnston lost his footing, Hamza Igamane latched on to the ball and from the edge of the area, fired it high into the net to give Rangers a 3-2 lead and, ultimately, all three points.
Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Nawrocki, Schlupp, McCowan, Engels, Hatate, Kühn (Idah 45′), Maeda, Jota (Hyunjun Yang 70′)
Subs: Taylor, Idah, Sinisalo, Hyunjun Yang, Kenny, Murray, Ralston, Bonnar, Turley
Rangers: Butland, Sterling (Nsiala 82′), Souttar, Balogun (Pröpper 56′), Tavernier, Barron (Lawrence 83′), Raskin, Yilmaz, Diomande (Hagi 66′), Cerny (Igamane 83′), Dessers
Subs: Pröpper, Lawrence, Bajrami, Nsiala, Igamane, Hagi, Kelly, Rice, Danilo
‘That was their choice’ – why 90 people were denied entry to Celtic v Rangers Old Firm game
By Ross McLeish
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/that-was-their-choice-why-90-people-were-denied-entry-to-celtic-v-rangers-old-firm-game-5036014?cx_testId=5&cx_testVariant=cx_undefined&cx_artPos=3&cx_experienceId=EX2NAIW0WFIR&cx_experienceActionId=showRecommendationsK080OZDSLLXE8#cxrecs_s
2Comments
Published 16th Mar 2025, 18:54 GMT
Updated 16th Mar 2025, 19:55 GMT
Police Scotland deploy Section 60 powers at Celtic Park clash
A group of 90 people was denied entry into Sunday’s Old Firm match as police feared some of them might set off pyrotechnics.
Police Scotland said the group was denied access due to their refusal to be searched at the Celtic v Rangers game, which kicked off at 12.30pm on Sunday at Celtic Park in Glasgow.
Officers say they believed the group posed a threat to the safety of other patrons at the match, due to the possibility of weapons and pyrotechnics.
Rangers Celtic fans during the Old Firm derby at Celtic Park. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)
Rangers Celtic fans during the Old Firm derby at Celtic Park. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group) | SNS Group
While they were contained, they set off the pyrotechnics, causing a fire, which police said endangered the public as well as officers, though nobody was injured.
All of those involved are to be reported to the procurator fiscal. One arrest was made during the match.
A man, aged 20, was arrested and charged for allegedly assaulting a police officer on approach to the stadium.He has since been released and is due in court at a later date.
Another man, 46, has been reported to the procurator fiscal for allegedly being in possession of a pyrotechnic.
There was a heavy police presence at the Old Firm match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)
There was a heavy police presence at the Old Firm match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group) | SNS Group
Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan, who led the policing operation, said: “Again, the vast majority of fans were simply there to enjoy the match and I would thank them for their good conduct.
“It was necessary to apply containment tactics to maintain public safety and deal effectively with those intent on disruption or non-compliance with relevant legislation, including powers under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. As a result, some groups of supporters missed the game, but that was their choice.
“Our priority is, and always will be, the safety of fans in and around the stadium and the general public in the wider city.
“To support that, enforcement of Section 60 and other legislation was undertaken proportionately, with search powers being enacted in a targeted manner.
“Non-compliance with the Section 60 powers resulted in 90 people being reported to the procurator fiscal. Others have been arrested or reported for other offences, including the assault of a police officer.”
He added: “A significant number of pyrotechnics were seized or prevented from entering the stadium, which again demonstrates the disregard that some supporters have for the safety of others.
“We will continue to work with partners, including the clubs, to improve safety and order and to ensure that the sporting event is the real focus.”
‘Something to think about’ – Brendan Rodgers airs his Celtic concerns as one player reserved for praise
Alan Pattullo
By Alan Pattullo
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/something-to-think-about-brendan-rodgers-airs-his-celtic-concerns-as-one-player-reserved-for-praise-5035976
Specialist Sports Writer
Published 16th Mar 2025, 16:51 GMT
Updated 16th Mar 2025, 19:56 GMT
Celtic boss suffers second successive Old Firm defeat
Brendan Rodgers admitted Celtic missed injured skipper Callum McGregor while falling to a second consecutive defeat to Rangers.
The hosts looked to have been on course to seal at least a draw from the afternoon after clawing back a two-goal first-half deficit. But a late winner from Hamza Igamane put Rodgers in an unusual position. He has never lost successive games against the Ibrox side and this was only his third Old Firm defeat in 22 matches. Celtic have conceded three goals against Rangers in each of their last three meetings.
“That’s something to think about for sure,” he said. “I mentioned that afterwards. You need to be better. You need to be defensively much better, much more secure.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers at full-time after the 3-2 defeat to Rangers. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers at full-time after the 3-2 defeat to Rangers. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) | SNS Group
“But I think also part of that comes from the ball, giving the ball away and not dominating it like we (usually) do. You hand a little bit of onus to the opposition. But ultimately, the three goals were all disappointing goals.
“I think we missed Callum today,” he added. “I don’t think there’s any doubt in that. I mentioned before about the tactical balance he gives the team.
“He’s the guy that opens up everything for us. His movement, his quality, his touch gets us through the pitch nice and quickly. So you could see it wasn’t anywhere near as fluid. That’s the reality. But others have to step up because if he’s not playing, then we need to be better.”
SNS Group
Rodgers did give pass marks to centre-half Maik Nawrocki, who stepped in for the injured Auston Trusty for his first taste of league football this season. “I told him that afterwards in the changing room,” he said. “There weren’t too many highlights for us. But certainly for him, for a guy that’s not played virtually for a year, it shows you how well he’s trained and how professional he’s been. I thought he did really, really well to last the game.”
Rodgers refused to point to Celtic’s ascendancy in the league, where they still lead Rangers by 13 points, when seeking an explanation for the poor first half and ultimate defeat. “There’s no excuse,” he said. “If it’s a one-point gap or 16 or whatever it is, there’s no excuse. There’s no excuse.
“We didn’t defend well enough,” he added. “We weren’t sharp enough mentally in the game, with and without the ball.
“And if you don’t, then a good team can punish you. We had a much better second half. We get the goal and it feels like a matter of time. But you shouldn’t then lose the game from that position.”
Brendan Rodgers: We know we need to play better
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2025/march/16/brendan-rodgers–we-know-we-need-to-play-better/
First Team
By Paul Cuddihy, Celtic View Editor
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16 Mar 2025, 3:22 pm
It was the proverbial game of two halves at Celtic Park on Sunday, with the Hoops conceding two first-half goals to their city rivals before drawing level in the second-half.
And while it looked as though Brendan Rodgers’ side were the more likely to go on and score a third goal, the visitors capitalised on a defensive slip to score late on and ultimately take all three points with a 3-2 victory.
Speaking to Celtic TV after the game, the Celtic manager said: “It was a disappointing result. It’s never nice to lose these games.
“In the first-half we went behind early, and that gave them a good feeling in the game.
“We had opportunities in the first-half but I don’t think we played well enough or had great control of the game. There were too many misplaced passes and just not aggressive enough in our game. In saying that, Jack Butland made some really good saves.
“We made a change at half-time, came out and got the early goal and then you could feel the energy in the stadium, and we were in a really good place.
“It was a fantastic goal, and then at 2-1 we have the impetus in the game, and when we got to 2-2, I felt there was only one team that was going to win the game.
“We had opportunities and Butland made some good saves again, but then sadly for us, Ali slips which is unfortunate, we missed the first header and all of a sudden the guy puts the ball in the top corner.
“So I felt that probably a draw – they were better in the first half and we were better in the second-half – but if you don’t defend well enough, that can happen.”
Celtic remain 13 points clear at the top of the Premiership table with eight matches remaining, while there is also a Scottish Cup semi-final to look forward to.
And while the focus is on securing the two remaining trophies up for grabs to make it a domestic treble, Brendan Rodgers knows his side will have to play better in their remaining fixtures.
“Firstly, the message to the supporters is, we apologies because we always want to win games here and against our big rivals, so, for them, it’s not a great feeling,” he said.
‘Our message to the players is, we have to be much better. That’s what we spoke about afterwards.’
“In every facet of the game we have to be much better and if you’re going to be a champion this year, you’ve got to go and show that you’re a champion and you’ve got to earn it.”
“So there are eight games to go, with 13 points, but we’ve got a lot of big games to play.”
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cx2r39k1xvyt#Report
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland at Celtic Park
Rangers enjoyed a second bout of raucous celebrations in four days as Hamza Igamane’s stunning late strike administered Celtic’s first Scottish Premiership home defeat since December 2023.
Barry Ferguson’s side had roared into a two-goal half-time lead after Nico Raskin’s early flicked header and Mohamed Diomande’s low shot.
However, as the effects of Thursday’s epic Europa League win over Fenerbahce began to tell, title-chasing Celtic hit back with Daizen Maeda’s towering header and and Reo Hatate’s slotted finish.
That set up a frantic finale, in which it seemed the league leaders had the momentum, but it was Rangers who found the decisive goal.
Igamane profited from Alistair Johnston’s slip to lash in an outrageous winner to give the Ibrox side their first victory at Celtic Park since 2020.
The success moves Rangers to within 13 points of their Glasgow rivals, who now may have to wait until after the Premiership splits next month to clinch the title.
Watch Old Firm highlights here from 20:30 GMT
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All you need to know about Rangers
A superb, high-energy first-half performance from Rangers threatened to blow their hosts away, as they exploited the injury-enforced absences of Celtic captain Callum McGregor and centre-backs Auston Trusty and Liam Scales.
That meant Maik Nawrocki came in for his first start of the season, having had just 23 minutes of cup football this term.
And the recast defence took just four minutes to concede when Raskin got above Jeffrey Schlupp to flick in James Tavernier’s corner.
By the time Diomande, unmarked inside the box, found Kasper Schmeichel’s right-hand corner just before the break, Rangers could have been even further ahead.
Unusually edgy goalkeeper Schmeichel had earlier passed straight to Vaclav Cerny, only for the Czech international to delay shooting and waste the chance.
Two down at the interval, Celtic needed to respond positively and they did.
Maeda, shifted to the flank to accommodate the interval introduction of Adam Idah, leapt high above Tavernier to head in Jota’s cross just after the restart.
A well-worked team goal then drew Brendan Rodgers’ side level, when Luke McCowan set up Hatate to slip a finish across Jack Butland and into the net.
It looked like the reigning champions could go on and secure the comeback win that would leave them just two victories from retaining the title.
But instead it was Igamane who struck, condemning Celtic to a first domestic home defeat since the league loss to Hearts in December 2023.
Statement win for Rangers?
Media caption,
Rangers fans celebrate on return to Celtic Park
Rangers will feel they fully merited this win – their second derby triumph in a row after the January victory at Ibrox.
They’ll also feel it’s a statement victory at the home of the champions-elect after so many struggles on the domestic front.
Their energy-sapping encounter with Fenerbahce didn’t stop them from putting in a high-octane, high-pressing performance that made a normally unflappable Celtic side completely lose their cool in the first half.
Two up at half-time, it could well have been more.
To watch Celtic come back to level would have been a blow, but for Rangers to still have the desire and energy to go on and win the game means huge credit should go to the players and the interim management team.
Shaky Celtic pay for slow start
This was very much a game of two halves for Celtic.
In the first, they were incredibly shaky at the back and seemed unable to cope with the absence of two key players, captain McGregor and centre-half Trusty.
Usually a picture of calm, even Schmeichel made uncharacteristic mistakes.
Much-improved after the break, it looked like Celtic may have enough to go on and win, but they lacked their normal levels of quality and composure.
Celtic will still go on to win the league, but right now they must deal with the unusual feeling of the bitter sting of derby defeat at home.