Rangers cut gap to Celtic to two points after second derby win in eight days
Watch Scott Brown & Andy Halliday unpick the game on YouTube, external
Rangers' Gassama hits post & sensational Makhanya strike disallowed
Rangers' Fernandez commits further fouls after early booking
FT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Right, that's it from us this afternoon as Rangers close to two points behind Celtic with their second derby win in a week.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
FT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Rangers manager Derek McInnes tells BBC Sportsound: "It's such an important win for us. To follow it up on the back of last week was really important for us.
"In the context of the season, it's just three points and it gets us three points closer to Celtic so we understood if we lost the game, that distance just starts to feel uncomfortable for us. We knew the importance of the game.
"It's still very early on. There's still 80-odd points to play for but I do think that winning here, particularly because we've got a young team and you get the benefit of having a young team and part of that is winning here can only give them some much-needed confidence and belief on the back of last week.
"The fans weren't here but we know they're watching and we want them to enjoy their Sunday. That's something for them to enjoy, it's something for us to enjoy in the dressing room. I want to stress that it is only three points and it is still early on in the campaign.
"I'm enjoying watching my team. I like putting my name to this team at the minute and I think we've got a good thing going but we know how quickly that can change so we just try to keep those bad days to a minimum."
Image source, SNSFT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Neil Lennon
Former Celtic manager on Sky Sports
I don't know what [Carter-Vickers] means. The players are hurting after the game.
It's quite clear they're not together, they aren't playing well enough.
There's too many who are miles off form, or players who've started well and fallen off a cliff.
FT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers tells Sky Sports: "Hard to put your finger on one thing. We played a bit too random. We need to get better at that, getting a script and sticking to it.
"The last two games we've played have been big pressure games. As players, you rely on having something to fall back on.
"We haven't had the time to get that. As players, we can do better for sure. It's something we can improve on.
"There's a lot of new players at the club. It's about getting everyone on the same script. The group are together like we've always been. We need to find consistency.
"I agree with the manager, I don't think there was much in the game. Neither team were particularly good. There's a lot we can improve on but I'm confident in the group we have."
Image source, SNSSome interesting quotes from Cameron Carter-Vickers. The Celtic defender feels the group are not all on the same script.
FT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on Sky Sports
Rangers have an energy, confidence and belief in what they're doing.
Derek McInnes was under pressure straight away after what happened in Europe, but since then it's been more like a McInnes side you're used to seeing.
They could have scored more, but they're missing a lot of players as well.
FT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Rangers manager Derek McInnes tells Sky Sports: "Really pleased, we had to deliver a big performance and we did exactly that. It's not easy coming here, the circumstances you're under and what you face.
"We knew we'd have to overcome a wounded Celtic team. We played with a lot of confidence. I'm disappointed we didn't add to the goal we did score, because we were deserving of that.
"At 1-0, you still think they'll get a chance and we're kicking ourselves a wee bit that we didn't take another chance. It was a worthy win, after what was a disappointing start in the league.
"They came in with a back five, filled the middle of the pitch. In the main, we got it right. In the first 15-20 minutes, our strikers weren't giving us enough but once they started linking the play, everything looked quite calm.
"With someone like Duran up top, we always had to be on our toes. But it was a strong performance."
Image source, SNSFT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
This is it for MON - his starting XI looked weak in midfield and proved to be. What he and the coaching staff have done to our big summer signings after bright starts is a worry. And the general fitness is telling, too.
Lee
What game was MON watching, to say it was a close game? Wow. It’s quite obvious MON and coaches don't know best 11 or also a formation for them. How Ox can’t get in that team and they can’t see our midfield getting overrun every game is beyond me.
Alec
FT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
We've been waiting to hear from Rangers boss Derek McInnes. He's giving his thoughts now so we'll get his quotes to you soon.
FT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Neil Lennon
Former Celtic manager on Sky Sports
Martin is clearly hurting, he's smarting about it.
The break has come at a good time for him, he can recuperate, get some sun.
He still feels he's got the energy to do it but when you get a week like this, you'll come under a lot of scrutiny.
FT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill tells BBC Sportsound: "We're still two points clear in the league. We have an international break coming up now and it's a time just to reflect on the start of the season, see where we are positioned and get on from there.
"Every defeat, I believe, is damaging. It's like anything else.
"From today's viewpoint, I thought that there wasn't much between the teams. Rangers scored their goal, we had a couple of chances ourselves, strangely enough.
"Kieran hits the bar just about 90 seconds before they score. Things like that there when the game is tight can change.
"The football club has suffered defat in the past, I've done that and it's a matter of fighting back and that's what you've got to try and do.
"Every defeat is really painful and it hurts every bit as much now as it did before.
"I have to reflect on things myself, see what I can do better to help the team. That's something that I'll genuinely think about.
"There are always big questions when you lose football matches. You have to accept responsibility, which I do. Remember, this is the team, this is my team. I am responsible for that. Introspection.
"We've got work to do. [Three successive defeats is] an unusual occurrence for myself, it's an unusual occurrence for Celtic Football Club and I am responsible for that."
Image source, SNSFT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
FT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Chris Sutton
Former Celtic striker on Sky Sports
Knowing Martin [O'Neill] as I do, he'll be greatly concerned. I don't like to disagree with him but it wasn't a close game. There was a massive gulf between the teams.
I can't remember a Celtic team getting such a doing at Celtic Park from a Rangers team.
It looked like they were making it up as they went along. I feel sorry for Luke McCowan, he hasn't started all season and he was thrown in.
Rangers were better in every department.
Celtic lacked legs and physicality in the middle of the park and they haven't been able to cope in the big games. They were smashed, and that's a concern.
FT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Scott Brown
Former Celtic captain on BBC Sportsound
Rangers won more duels than Celtic. They just looked that little bit more reactive than what Celtic did. They've not done enough over the game to go and deserve to win that. The pressure was very, very passive.
The went in their ones and twos, didn't go as a team. They got bullied throughout the pitch. That's two games in a row - that's not good enough.
There's a lot of pressure on how Martin O'Neill now deals with that three weeks in that international break and how he can come out the other side. He's got to have an understanding of what his best team is, what his best shape is and go from there.
He's been through hard times, he's been through good times but now his job is to get the best out of that Celtic squad. You need to get a tune out of the lads, they need to start being in a good place and get the crowd behind them again.
Image source, SNSFT: Rangers 0-1 Celtic
You can see O'Neill throwing the towel in here soon. I don't blame him. There's something smouldering at the club . This international break has come at the right time for Celtic. Dermot [Desmond] will be phoning his mate Pep for a hand at this rate.
Kev
Listening in from George Town, Malaysia and staying at the Blue Mansion. It has a particularly deep vivid royal blue glow this evening.
Lance
FT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill tells Sky Sports: "I don't think there's very much between the teams. We should have created more, as much as anything else.
"We had one just after half time, the goalkeeper makes a good save, but we should have created more.
"It might just be one of those days. Some of our build up play was really good, the final ball let us down. That's probably about it.
"It's frustrating to lose a game of any description. An Old Firm game is tough to take. But they took their chance and we didn't capitalise on whatever we tried to do.
"Can't complain whatsoever in terms of effort. It's tough with European games, you're trying to balance things. We can't do anything about it, we want to try and play in Europe, but it's a balancing act.
"Nobody is pleased with what's happened, it's been a tough week. But history proves the football club fights back from these things.
"When the players come back from international duty, we'll have a rethink. I don't think it's a disaster. And the word they tell me is 'reset'. It's time for a bit of self-reflection."
Image source, SNSFT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Right we've had some Rangers reaction, and there will be more to come when Derek McInnes gives his post-match thoughts.
But Martin O'Neill is speaking just now, so we'll have that shortly.
FT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Andy Halliday
Former Rangers midfielder on BBC Sportsound
The second half was even better than the first from Rangers. Complete control, waves of attack. It wasn't until probably the last five, 10 minutes when Celtic started to put Rangers under any pressure.
I honestly don't think I've ever seen a Rangers team go to Celtic Park and get so many easy touches of the ball. So similar to last week. Celtic, they just don't tackle anymore. They don't get close to people, they don't make contact.
Image source, SNSFT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Peter Lovenkrands
Former Rangers striker on BBC Sportsound
It's an unbelievable achievement, especially where the club was, with going out of Europe. They were in turbulence at that point, not playing well. It was all about trying to find a style.
This first Old Firm game and the cup game came that came around was kind of what Derek McInnes needed at that point, getting his team right and trying something different.
Coming here now again, at Celtic Park and win for two in a row is an unbelievable achievement for him and the team and the club.
For Rangers, it's going to give them so much confidence.
Image source, SNSFT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Man of the match Olwethu Makhanya tells Sky Sports: "Defensively it was very important for us. We expected a tough game, we had to be 100% focussed.
"Defensively, I'm really happy with how we played.
"It's the togetherness. We spend a lot of time together outside training, getting coffee and things like that. I feel like we're a family.
"That give us a reason to keep on fighting for one another."
Image source, SNS
Ryan Naderi's goal was enough to earn Rangers' second derby win in eight days
At a glance
Naderi stabs Rangers ahead before Gassama hits a post
Pandur makes a big save to deny Donovan in Celtic's best moment
Stunning Makhanya strike for Rangers is disallowed for hand ball
Rangers defeat derby rivals twice in a row for only the third time
Rangers earned a second Old Firm derby win in a week to cut the gap to Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic to two points and deepen the gloom at their city rivals.
With no away supporters in the ground, striker Ryan Naderi silenced Celtic Park before the break with his first goal in this fixture to stretch Rangers' winning run to six consecutive matches.
It also means Derek McInnes is the first Rangers manager to win his opening two derbies since Graeme Souness in 1986.
But his counterpart Martin O'Neill is left with questions to answer and solutions to find following a third damaging defeat in seven days.
Celtic had to chase this game for an hour after Naderi pounced from close range to covert once Kim Min-su's powerful effort was parried out by Viljami Sinisalo.
But for the width of the Finn's right-hand post, Rangers would have doubled their advantage almost immediately. Djeidi Gassama's clever chip came off the upright, keeping the game on a knife-edge.
Prior to going behind, Kieran Tierney - playing in a more advanced midfield role - skimmed the top of Ivor Pandur's bar and the Croat later superbly kept out Colby Donovan's header which seemed destined to equalise.
In front of a hugely frustrated home support, Celtic didn't seem to know how to break Rangers down and were relieved when a stunning shot into the top corner by Olwethu Makhanya was ruled out for hand-ball.
Celtic never really looked like extending their run of Premiership wins to seven and in the end went down rather meekly to their first league defeat since Dundee United beat them at Tannadice in March.
It's also their third consecutive defeat, after the League Cup loss at Ibrox last Sunday was followed by a Europa League reverse against Ferencvaros on Thursday.
They still top the table but there's likely to be some soul-searching in the three-week international break given the marked downturn in fortunes since their Champions League exit in Linz.
Rangers, by contrast, are riding the crest of a wave at the moment, back in contention at the top of the table and looking forward to a League Cup semi-final next month.
After two bad defeats, O'Neill started with five defenders, pushing Tierney further forward into midfield with Luke McCowan on the other side in what looked like a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Benjamin Nygren supporting lone striker Camilo Duran.
After Auston Trusty's early volley was deemed offside, it all went downhill for Celtic.
One down at half-time - and the width of a post from it being a two-goal deficit - the manager made yet more changes. Off came the largely-ineffective McCowan to be replaced by big-money summer signing Kasper Hogh.
When that change didn't have the desired effect, O'Neill went back to the wingers who'd been dropped: Haissem Hassan and Sebastian Tounekti.
Nothing really came off for them either, with Celtic completely devoid of the fluency and energy which propelled them to the title last season and saw them win their first six games of the current campaign.
There has been a real drop-off in form, quality and confidence and O'Neill will have a lot of thinking to do to figure out how to get the side back on track.
It all went exactly according to plan for McInnes. He knew - with no away fans in the ground - that his side needed to avoid conceding early.
Once that box had been ticked, his side settled well, got their noses in front and came within an inch of doubling their lead and sending Celtic Park into meltdown.
No Rangers manager since Souness in1986 had won his first two derbies. It's quite the feather in the cap, then, for McInnes, who not so long ago in Jablonec said he didn't recognise his side as they crashed out of Europe.
He very much does now. Six wins in a row for the concession of just a solitary goal. A real head of steam building up domestically without the extra demands of continental competition.
If they can build on this, Rangers could take some stopping given the momentum they're building up. Integrating new players is an altogether more comfortable experience when the side is winning.
A rocky start to the season is behind McInnes, who won't get carried away but will be able to enjoy his international break far more than he might have anticipated.
Rangers' recent good run in this fixture also continues. They've only lost one league derby in the last eight. If they can keep up that kind of run, they'll feel very confident about the season ahead.
O'Neill on back-to-back defeats by Rangers
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill: "We're still two points clear. We have a break coming up and it's a time to reflect, see where we are positioned and get on from there.
"I thought there wasn't much between the teams. Rangers scored, we had a couple of chances ourselves.
"The club has suffered defat in the past; I've had that and it's a matter of fighting back and that's what you've got to try and do. Every defeat is really painful and it hurts every bit as much now as it did before.
"I have to reflect on things myself, see what I can do better to help the team. That's something that I'll genuinely think about.
"There are always big questions when you lose matches. You have to accept responsibility, which I do. Remember, this is my team. I am responsible for that."
Rangers manager Derek McInnes: "It's such an important win for us. To follow it up on the back of last week was really important.
"In the context of the season, it's just three points and it gets us three points closer to Celtic. We understood if we lost the game, that distance just starts to feel uncomfortable for us.
"It's still very early on. There's still 80-odd points to play for but I do think that winning here, particularly because we've got a young team, can only give them some much-needed confidence and belief on the back of last week.
"I like putting my name to this team at the minute and I think we've got a good thing going but we know how quickly that can change so we just try to keep those bad days to a minimum."
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 4 | 10 | 18 |
| |
| 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 16 |
| |
| 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 13 |
| |
| 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 10 |
| |
| 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 10 |
| |
| 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 10 | -1 | 8 |
| |
| 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 8 | -1 | 8 |
| |
| 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 11 | -2 | 8 |
| |
| 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 11 | -2 | 8 |
| |
| 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 11 | -3 | 7 |
| |
| 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 9 | -3 | 6 |
| |
| 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 15 | -9 | 5 |
|
Manager:Martin O'Neill
Formation:3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Manager:Derek McInnes
Formation:4 - 4 - 1 - 1
Scottish Premiership
All competitions
All competitions
Celtic’s 3-1 win over Rangers in May ended a six-game winless run in league Old Firm derbies (D3 L3). The Hoops have won six of their last eight home games against Rangers in the Scottish Premiership (L2).
Rangers beat Celtic 3-0 in the Scottish League Cup last weekend. Only twice before in the club’s entire history have they faced their Old Firm rivals twice in a row in all competitions and won both times, doing so in September 1960 under Scot Symon and April 1998 under Walter Smith.
Celtic are looking to win 14+ consecutive league matches for the first time since March 2017 under Brendan Rodgers (22), a run which ended via a 1-1 home draw with Rangers.
Celtic have won each of their last 13 league games, their longest winning run coming into a league Old Firm derby since March 2017 (22 in a row). The Hoops have only won two of the six previous occasions they have faced Rangers in the league while on a 13+ game league winning run (D1 L3).
Rangers have scored seven goals from 128 shots in the Scottish Premiership this season, a conversion rate of 5.5% - the lowest of any side in the division in 2026-27.
After Rangers’ 3-0 win in the Scottish League Cup last time out, Derek McInnes could become only the second manager to win both of his first two Old Firm derbies against Celtic in charge of the club, after Graeme Souness in 1986.
Rangers have used more players (26) and made the joint-most starting XI changes (18) of any side in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Five of Celtic’s six home league goals this season have come in the first half of matches, with their only second half strike at Celtic Park coming from Benjamin Nygren v Dundee on MD1.
