And that’s where I’ll leave you today. Here’s Ewan Murray’s report from Parkhead, where Celtic edged a competitive Old Firm derby to reaffirm their status as title favourites, despite added Rangers resistance.
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More from McGregor:
“The boys stuck together, you have to defend sometimes in these games and that’s what we did.
“There will be more twists and turns before the end of the season, so we’ve just got to get back on the horse and keep doing it.”
Paulo Bernardo is named the Player of the Match for his special opening goal.
Some reaction from Callum McGregor on Sky Sports:
“It’s a derby game, the table is tight, so these games at home are pivotal if you want to win the league. We try and set examples as senior players, the young boys look to us to drive them forward. To a man, the guys were outstanding.
“It was a good time to score, we started to get on top of the game and you have to score when you’re on top. And what a way to score. It was a great finish.”
Our Premier League clockwatch is under way and about to get serious.
There were wild celebrations at Celtic Park after the full-time whistle.
🗣️ "It's a happy new year to the men in hoops!"
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 30, 2023
Celtic beat 10-man Rangers to extend their lead to eight points - having played two more games. Thoughts on the match? 🔽 pic.twitter.com/BiZBc81MZS
“He’s a special player. It doesn’t matter about form, class is permanent,” says Neil Lennon on the matchwinner, Kyogo.
That strike was worthy of winning any match, for sure, and it puts Celtic eight points clear at the Scottish Premiership summit, albeit Rangers have two games in hand. Nothing is settled after today’s contest at Celtic Park but it might be the shot in the arm the Bhoys needed after an indifferent spell of form.
FT: Celtic 2-1 Rangers
It’s all over! Celtic have clung on, just about, against the 10 men of Rangers. Two sumptuous strikes, first from Paulo Bernardo and then from Kyogo Furuhashi are ultimately the difference as Brendan Rodgers’ side put a dent in the title ambitions of their rivals.
Philippe Clement suffers his first ever defeat as Rangers manager after a brilliant unbeaten run at the start of his tenure, with the visitors battling to a late consolation through James Tavernier.
More analysis and reaction to come.
Updated
90 mins +8: We’re past the allocated added time period as the two sets of players come to blows once more. Goldson is involved and yellow carded. Free-kick to Rangers, which they will launch long.
90 mins + 6: O’Riley is down on the ground again. Gamesmanship or a genuine concern? You’d expect the added time period to be extended because of it, either way. Brendan Rodgers cuts a rather tense and fidgety figure in his technical area.
90 mins +4: Celtic demand a penalty for a push but VAR and the referee both say no.
90 mins + 3: Johnston man-handles McCausland within the laws of the game to see out a goal-kick for Celtic and some respite.
They should have seen this out easily, but they continue to give the ball away in their own half. Dowell shoots over with his left foot when he ought to have crossed.
Updated
90 mins + 1: It’s a little greedy from the substitute Abada as he chooses to shoot rather than play a simple pass, and Butland can save without much difficulty.
Tension has set in around Celtic Park as Rangers go forward once more. They’ve got a corner.
Updated
90 mins: As we head into added time, there’s a sense of purpose about Rangers all of a sudden. They’ve done very little in this second half but that goal gives them an unexpected lifeline.
We shall have eight added minutes. My word. It’s chaos now.
GOAL! Celtic 2-1 Rangers (Tavernier, 88)
It does go in! James Tavernier from a free-kick!
He’s had a pretty woeful day, especially with his set piece delivery, but this one is inch-perfect, curling under the crossbar and beyond Joe Hart. Barely a celebration; just a grab of the ball and a spring back to halfway. Game on?
Updated
87 mins: And once again a Celtic player is booked. A cynical tug of Dessers’ shirt brings the yellow for Nawrocki and provides yet another chance for Tavernier at a set piece. This has to go in for Rangers to stand a chance.
85 mins: How many opportunities does Dessers want today? He squanders another one after acres of space again open up for the striker.
McCausland then wins a free-kick and it’s yet another Celtic yellow card, this one going to McGregor.
83 mins: Excellent goalkeeping from Butland to deny Kyogo at the near post, before a belated flag goes up which means he was offside in any case.
And that’ll be Kyogo’s last action of the game as he trudges off to a rapturous reception.
Liel Abada, Oh Hyeon-Gyu and Mikey Johnston are all coming on for Celtic.
82 mins: The Olés have started from the Celtic fans as their side patiently keeps possession.
80 mins: O’Riley is robbed on the edge of the Rangers box by Sterling who then embarks on a lung-busting run and is taken down by Turnbull, who gets a booking for his troubles.
Rangers’ issue is that they don’t have enough numbers when they go forward. They’re stretched.
This is the reason Celtic feel so comfortable in their 2-0 lead.
🟥 RED CARD!
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 30, 2023
Rangers' Leon Balogun has been sent off after pulling down Daizen Maeda as he was through on goal 🔽 pic.twitter.com/03Dauo6Jao
77 mins: Johnston’s early cross from the right looks to pick out Kyogo, who makes a terrific run towards the near post and tries to steer a volley at goal. Rangers are choosing to go direct, probably a wise tactic given their numerical disadvantage.
75 mins: A first opening for Turnbull as he turns and shoots inside the box, but it’s a rather scuffed effort that’s straight at Butland.
Celtic want a third here, and you wouldn’t be surprised if they got one.
72 mins: There have been one or two decisions today that have gone against Rangers and they can rightly quibble with. Not that sending off, though, clear as day.
John Souttar is going to come on to plug the hole in the visitors’ defence. They’ve really wilted in this second half.
RED CARD! Balogun (Rangers)
Leon Balogun is off! He’s the last man and he hauls down Maeda after a clever pass from Kyogo. That’s surely Rangers done and dusted.
Updated
70 mins: The stop-start nature of this second half has very much benefitted Celtic. It looks like Rodgers is going to replace Bernardo, who has been booked of course and running the risk of a red card.
David Turnbull comes on.
68 mins: It takes an age for Tavernier to take the free-kick … and it’s a huge anti-climax when he does, hitting it tamely into the wall. Another chance passes Rangers by, as Cantwell is jeered off by the Celtic fans, with Dowell his replacement.
65 mins: Rangers have a free-kick in Tavernier Territory. Sound the alarm.
Kieran Dowell is about to come on, while Sima gets some attention after an elbow in the face from Johnston. Accidental, I think.
64 mins: There’s a right old tangle between Bernardo and Goldson, and the Celtic player really should be booked for that challenge – and it would have been a second yellow. VAR can only check for straight reds, of course.
62 mins: The next 10 minutes really represent ‘now or never’ territory for Rangers. They simply must do everything in their power to pull one back, or another Old Firm derby will slip away from their grasp.
61 mins: Celtic fans are bouncing in the stands, but Rangers continue to threaten. Dessers fires into the side netting after being slipped through in the inside-left channel.
59 mins: O’Riley is back on after a change of kit, which had been bloodied.
McCausland almost slips in Yilmaz with Rangers on the font foot again, as Tavernier’s headed cross is knocked clear by the home side. More frustration for Rangers as Dessers is booked trying to stop the counter.
Updated
56 mins: O’Riley has suffered a broken nose and the treatment he requires is fairly extensive. Celtic are down to 10 while the medics tend to him.
It’s worth watching this again.
🗣️ "Derby day is Kyogo day!"
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 30, 2023
Celtic are 2-0 up thanks to this “stunning” strike early in the second-half! 🔽 pic.twitter.com/ney4uVsQoT
53 mins: O’Riley took a bash to the head there and may need a minute and some attention.
Gillian Kirby emails in: “Surprised Todd Cantwell is playing today give his alter ego Conor Gallagher also appears to be in Chelsea’s lineup. You never see them on the same pitch, do you? David Icke needs to get onto this one pronto!”
52 mins: Taylor is drifting inside from left back to take up some dangerous central positions, supplementing the midfield.
Finally, Rangers launch it forward on the counter but Cantwell cannot link up with Dessers. Some respite, at least, for the visitors.
50 mins: Someone tell Rangers the second half has started. Celtic can smell blood here.
49 mins: Rangers will feel absolutely sick at this scoreline. They’ve had their moments, but Celtic have scored two brilliant goals and have been far more ruthless.
GOAL! Celtic 2-0 Rangers (Kyogo, 47)
Stunner, absolute stunner! Kyogooooo!
Rangers are caught a bit cold at the back and leave far too much space for the Japanese forward to collect and then fire into the top corner with his weaker left foot, after a shimmy to give himself a yard. Huge moment.
Updated
Second half: We’re back under way at Celtic Park.
Rangers couldn’t have hoped for more opportunities, especially on the counterattack, in that half. They’ve created more. Four or five really good moments where they’ve lacked a finishing touch.
— Joshua Barrie (@JoshuaBarrieRR) December 30, 2023
The difference, Celtic scored during their period of dominance.
I’m off for an Irn-Bru and a half-time sit-down. What a ridiculously jam-packed, high-tempo half of football.
A prediction for the second half: It won’t stay at 1-0.
HT: Celtic 1-0 Rangers
And breathe. The half finishes, strangely, with the ball in Celtic’s net, although the whistle had gone well before as the referee spotted a Rangers push as they took a set-piece.
A very watchable half of football comes to a close, with neither side giving an inch. Paulo Bernardo’s classy volley is the difference but it’s been a very even contest, high-octane, with chances at both ends. Celtic have been loose at the back at times, but sharp down their left.
Todd Cantwell is my player of the half, but Rangers fans will feel he can produce a little bit more from his No 10 role, such is his ability.
We’re into a couple of added minutes on the end of this first half.
Rangers are probing for an equaliser.
44 mins: It was accidental but Johnston did seem to slap the ball with his hand. Cantwell is then in the middle of a fracas of sorts on the far side.
Tempers are fraying just a tad as half-time approaches.
43 mins: Hart denies McCausland! Agsin the youngster finds space on the right wing and drills a shot across the bows of the keeper, who outstretches a strong right hand.
VAR is checking a possible handball by Celtic’s Alistair Johnston. Check complete. Hmm … I’ve seen those given.
41 mins: Nawrocki’s first action is to time a sliding tackle to stop Sima in his tracks. He got enough of the ball.
It brings a corner, which Cantwell sends into the mixer, and Celtic whack well clear to safety.
40 mins: Dessers is penalised as Celtic once again play some dicey passes around the back, inviting the press. They could get themselves into serious trouble.
38 mins: Another big chance for Rangers and again it comes from a Celtic mistake at the back! Miscommunication allows McCausland in, but should do better with his finish …
It then quickly comes out to Cantwell who does at least get a shot at goal, but it’s easily smothered by Joe Hart.
Rangers could easily get something here.
37 mins: Matt O’Riley has been truly masterful in the Celtic midfield; you can see why his signature is coveted by a number of clubs in the upcoming January transfer window. He and Callum McGregor have begun to dictate things for the Bhoys.
35 mins: As play pauses for Stephen Welsh to get some treatment, the camera stops to focus on Cyriel Dessers, who will still be rueing that opportunity, you’d think.
Welsh won’t be able to carry on. Polish U21 international Maik Nawrocki is on in his place.
Updated
33 mins: There’s no relenting from Celtic here as they work another opportunity down that productive left channel.
At the other end it suddenly opens up for Dessers who seems to think he’s got all afternoon to set himself and pick a spot … in the end he dithers and doesn’t get a shot away at all. Goodness me that was a huge chance. So poor from Dessers.
Updated
31 mins: McCausland’s cross isn’t a good one and lets Celtic off the hook as Rangers try and build something resembling an attack. They’ve been becalmed in the last 10 or 15 minutes.
Here’s the strike that separates the sides. Celtic have edged it, for sure and the goal was worthy of the occasion.
🗣️ "𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗔 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗞𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗦!"
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 30, 2023
Paulo Bernardo puts Celtic 1-0 ahead with a great goal 🔽 pic.twitter.com/V0gLg1NhiR
28 mins: Rangers are under the pump now. Tavernier claps his teammates, trying to rouse them; they’re in the thick of the battle now. The noise is incessant as Palma whips in another corner, but it’s too high and long.
26 mins: It was only half-cleared by Rangers, a weak header that dropped perfectly to Paulo Bernardo to meet with a crisp volley.
He’s booked for his overly-exuberant celebration, diving into the crowd, but won’t care very much about that.
GOAL! Celtic 1-0 Rangers (Bernardo, 25)
Palma stands up Tavernier and stabs it back to Taylor, whose shot is unfurled from his unfavoured right-foot, but it does get a deflection to earn Celtic a corner.
And it’s volleyed home from the corner. What a strike from Bernardo!
Updated
23 mins: Half of Celtic Park think their side have scored, but it’s rippled into the side netting by Bernardo!
That was a rasping drive as the yards opened up for the midfielder on the edge of the box. About as close as either side have come.
Updated
22 mins: Maeda is penalised for offside after steeling a march on Yilmaz down the Celtic right and squaring into the path of Kyogo. The Japanese international didn’t steer it home in any case, so might have been secretly thankful to see the flag go up.
20 mins: Todd Cantwell looks a class apart in this company, he really does. He’s central to everything good the visitors have done, with some fine interplay creating a decent chance for Sima.
Roy Keane is among the spectators at Celtic Park, if you’re interested.
19 mins: For the second time in 20 minutes, James Tavernier’s set piece delivery is very poor. That’s not typical Tavernier by any stretch of the imagination, but it will disappoint Clement, but those opportunities like gold dust for Ranges today.
17 mins: Groans greet every decision given in Rangers’ favour but this is a fair call from the referee, Nick Walsh. Johnston is booked for a trip on Sima, Rangers with a great chance to whip in a ball here …
16 mins: It’s a brilliant pick-out from Sterling as he crosses from the right but Dessers doesn’t get it out of his feet and Cantwell skews his effort, too.
At the other end, there’s plenty of purpose from Celtic, but Kyogo is shut out on the edge of the area.
Updated
14 mins: Finally, some kind of break in proceedings and a slight slowing of the tempo. The snow has now almost all cleared and/or melted, by the way.
12 mins: These two teams are playing as if it’s the last 15 minutes of the game, not the first! The tempo is utterly relentless.
Butland claws clear from a dangerous looking cross, with Celtic now keeping their feet on the gas … Bernardo then steels in to nod Palma’s cross towards goal, but doesn’t get enough on it and nor can Maeda steer it home at the back post. Wide.
11 mins: Luis Palma exhibits his skill with a couple of runs at Tavernier and attempted crosses from the host’s left. Eventually it brings a corner, as the home fans turn up the volume.
9 mins: Space opens up for Celtic but Daizen Maeda can’t sort his feet out on the right and the chance comes and goes.
The Celtic press is high and fierce but it’s leaving holes at the back.
8 mins: Goldson is looking to launch it forward at every opportunity for Rangers and the blue shirts are winning a few second balls in the middle. Cantwell turns away from trouble and McCausland’s pull-back from the right almost creates a huge opening!
Cantwell couldn’t quite pick up the scraps to guide an effort at goal. Scrambled away.
5 mins: Wasteful once more from Tavernier, as his volleyed cross goes out for a goal-kick, but he’s already getting into very advanced areas from right-back. Rangers are doing well to shut Celtic down in the middle so far; then playing it direct.
Kyogo eventually counters but cannot squeeze in his effort as the angle tightens from the left. Butland pushes out for a Celtic corner.
3 min: Tidy play from Dujon Sterling in the Rangers’ midfield, winning a free-kick after McGregor’s needless foul. It’s sent in from the visitors’ right but easily nodded away by Kyogo. A poor delivery from James Tavernier.
2 min: Some early impetus from Greg Taylor stationed in the Celtic left back position with license to push on. The tempo is very high early doors, as you’d expect.
KICK OFF
A cacophony of noise greets the opening whistle from referee Nick Walsh. Let’s go!
The only Rangers fan in attendance today is their former striker Kris Boyd, who is sitting in the Sky Sports studio. A shame that the Old Firm doesn’t have proper away fans, but that’s where we are. The teams are coming out ready for lift-off.
Philippe Clement and Brendan Rodgers have been speaking to Sky Sports before kick-off:
Clement said: “I’m only busy with my team, not with the fixture, just with my guys and the circumstances before the game.”
Rodgers isn’t concerned about the loss of Cameron Carter-Vickers to injury. “I’m sure Stephen will come in and do very well,” he says of centre back Stephen Welsh who slots into the side.
“Go and enjoy the occasion,” is Rodgers’s message to his team. “It’s about that intensity and keeping it as high as we can.”
Updated
I wonder how impartial his commentary will be?
In Paradise early and looking forward to the biggest derby in world football…Celtic v Rangers live coverage starts on Sky 1130am…⚽️🎁🍀 pic.twitter.com/Xpqj6yI0lV
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) December 30, 2023
If rough-and-tumble snowy Old Firm football isn’t your thing (and it really should be, by the way) my colleague Rob Smyth is all over Luton v Chelsea in the English Premier League this Saturday lunchtime.
It was quite the send-off for Rangers from Ibrox this morning as they made the short journey across Glasgow …
📸 Rangers fans gather at Ibrox as the team bus departs for Celtic Park. pic.twitter.com/mTInILpPT3
— SNS Group (@snsgroup) December 30, 2023
Celtic will be the more fearful set of supporters going into this game, according to their former manager Gordon Strachan, who predicts a tough afternoon for the Bhoys, speaking to BoyleSports:
Well they have to claw back a five-point gap but, as we sit here this morning, I would say Celtic are the most worried supporters out of the two. It happens that way though, it’s like a baton in Scotland that is perennially swapped between the two sides and it brings pressure with it when you carry that.
The stress for the fans perpetuates itself through to the manager and the players. [Before Dundee] Celtic had two defeats on the trot, the first time since 2013. The Rangers fans will be buoyed with confidence at what has happened in this past month. Clement has closed the gap on Celtic, that’s for sure and it is a test for the Celtic.
The words of Brendan Rodgers are not currently replicated by demeanour.
The Celtic manager’s defence of his club’s position, before the second Old Firm clash of the season, is striking when in black and white. Rodgers was responding to whether or not his team are in need of a statement result this lunchtime.
“I think if you read or listen to everything in the media you would feel we were in constant crisis mode here,” Rodgers said. “That’s what I feel.”
Something about Rodgers’ delivery and body language lacked conviction. This all came across as rather humdrum or lacking in spark.
Team news
Pretty much as expected for Celtic today. All eyes on the much-coveted Kyogo Furuhashi up front.
📋 Your Celtic team for today's Glasgow Derby 🟢⚪ #CELRAN | #cinchPrem | #COYBIG🍀 pic.twitter.com/h5IEBlY5F9
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) December 30, 2023
Connor Goldson and John Lundstram are both passed fit and back in the starting lineup for Rangers.
🆕 Today’s #RangersFC team to face Celtic.
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) December 30, 2023
🗒️ Full Team News: https://t.co/mEXVXAPK3Z pic.twitter.com/x6YiBTBBUZ
It’s a bit snowy in Glasgow today. As we understand it, there’s very little chance of the game being called off at this late stage. Grab the orange ball and proceed!
Lines being cleared at Celtic Park… pic.twitter.com/7wfkUZs4Pm
— Ewan Murray (@mrewanmurray) December 30, 2023
Preamble
Good morning and welcome to derby day in Glasgow! It’s the final Old Firm derby of 2023, a year in Scottish football that Celtic have dominated, but one that ends with the power dynamic shifting ever-so slightly in the favour of Rangers, which makes this clash so intriguing.
Philippe Clement is getting his first ever taste of the Old Firm and he could hardly have his team in better form, on a seven-game winning streak in all competitions and unbeaten in his 16 matches in charge. He’s even got a trophy in the bag in the shape of the Scottish League Cup AKA the Viaplay Cup.
Celtic are guaranteed to be top of the pile come Hogmanay, but they’re feeling their old rivals breathing down their necks after a number of dropped points of late, including defeats to Kilmarnock and Hearts before Christmas. Brendan Rodgers would love a win in front of a partisan Celtic Park crowd to alleviate some building pressure. A defeat would mean just a two-point gap to Rangers, who will still have two games in hand.
Stick with us for a fascinating afternoon of feisty, old-fashioned Old Firm fitba.
