It's been a long time coming but Michael Beale finally got his first win over Celtic as Rangers put the champions to the sword at Ibrox.
There was an end of season feel to it but even with the stakes relatively low by derby day standards, there was an intensity to it from the off. But after 13 months without a derby win it was Rangers who came out on top over Ange Postecoglou's charges and ended their hopes of finishing the season with a top flight record points haul.
It was an unfamiliar Rangers attack with Alfredo Morelos benched again. Todd Cantwell smashed in the opener early on before John Souttar powered in a header to double the lead and that set the tone for a much-needed Ibrox derby victory. And Fashion Sakala added some gloss to the scoreline as he took the ball round Joe Hart and sealed a win that will have Beale breathing a sigh of relief.
Here is how Record Sport rated the Rangers players.
ROBBY McCRORIE: Big chance for Gers third-choice shot stopper to prove his starter credentials. Lucky when Oh couldn’t take advantage of his slip but always off his line smartly. Vital save as O’Reilly burst through means it’s two derbies, two clean-sheets. 7
JAMES TAVERNIER: - Skipper’s last few derby displays have seen his defensive focus questioned but didn’t take his eyes off Jota for a second. Couple of tasty deliveries including corner that lead to No.2. 7
CONNOR GOLDSON:: Survived a handball scare just before the break after falling on the ball but that was the only moment of concern from an otherwise rock solid performance. 7
JOHN SOUTTAR: After a year of personal pain on and off the pitch the Scotland defender finally has reason to smile after thumping home Rangers’ second with a terrific header. Look steady alongside Goldson. 8
RIDVAN YILMAZ: Another hoping to impress a year of sideline frustration and gave Beale plenty to consider.. Got the better of Ralston early doors and snapped into plenty of tactics. 7
RYAN JACK: Bailed out by his keeper after he was caught on the ball by O’Reilly but gave Beale’s team the balance and stability they needed in the centre of the park. 7
JOHN LUNDSTRAM: The scouser's strike forced the opener as Hart can only parry to Cantwell. Big block to deny Abada soon after was just as important. Booked late on for tripping Maeda. 7
NICO RASKIN: Been off the boil the last couple of weeks but Belgian kid sizzled along nicely before really warming up in the second half, showing his tenacity and range of passing. 8
TODD CANTWELL: Been the only Rangers player in recent derbies who looked up for the right and led the charge this time. Sharper than Kobayashi to slam home opener before his hunger for the ball forced the third. Looking more and more like Beale’s main man. 9
FASHION SAKALA: Never quite looks like he knows what’s going to happen next but for once the erratic Zambian kept his cool to slot home the goal that sealed victory and ended a year of derby despair. 7
RABBI MATONDO: Almost been written off as a Rangers player following a troubled start in Scotland can be proud of a solid enough display. Threat of his pace kept Ralston on the back foot before running out of gas. 6
Substitutes
IANIS HAGI (for Matondo, 69): Decent strike easily saved by Hart. 3
SCOTT ARFIELD (for Jack, 83): Added experience as Gers closed out the win. 2
GLEN KAMARA (for Lundstram, 88): Fresh legs for stoppage time. 2
Zak Lovelace (for, 88): Late debut for the B-Team kid. 2
Alex Lowry (for Cantwell, 88): No time to make an impact. 2
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