In a thrilling encounter at Ibrox, Celtic FC striker Adam Idah scored a second-half equaliser to deny Rangers FC a third successive Old Firm derby triumph, resulting in a 1-1 draw in the Scottish Premiership on May 4, 2025. The match showcased the intense rivalry between the two clubs, with both sides displaying determination and skill despite the lack of stakes in the title race, as Celtic had already secured the championship.
Rangers came into the match with confidence after their victories over Celtic in January and March, hoping to continue their momentum. Cyriel Dessers put the home side ahead just before halftime, finishing off a well-constructed move. However, Idah's response shortly after the break ensured that Rangers would remain without a win in their last six matches across all competitions, a streak that has left interim manager Barry Ferguson under pressure.
Ferguson made four changes to the Rangers lineup that had drawn 2-2 with St Mirren, opting for a midfield diamond formation. Leon Balogun, Connor Barron, Nedim Bajrami, and Vaclav Cerny were brought in to provide fresh energy. In contrast, Celtic had to adapt due to injuries, replacing Alistair Johnston, Nicolas Kuhn, and Jota with Anthony Ralston, Adam Idah, and James Forrest.
As the match kicked off, Rangers looked sharp, nearly scoring in the first minute when Balogun's header from a James Tavernier corner rattled the crossbar. The home side continued to press, with Cerny forcing a save from Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo shortly after. Rangers believed they had taken the lead in the 24th minute when Nicolas Raskin's header found the back of the net, only for VAR to rule it out for offside.
Celtic began to find their rhythm as the first half progressed. Cameron Carter-Vickers came close to scoring with a header from an Arne Engels corner, but Liam Kelly was equal to the task, pushing it over the bar. Idah then had a golden opportunity in the 43rd minute, breaking through on goal only to be denied by a brilliant save from Kelly.
Just moments later, however, Rangers struck first. Mohamed Diomande's incisive pass was dummied by Cerny, allowing Dessers to slot home from close range, sending the Ibrox crowd into a frenzy.
The second half saw Celtic respond with vigor. In the 56th minute, Idah leveled the score after a chaotic sequence in the box. Daizen Maeda's clever play led to a deflected clearance that fell to Idah, who turned and fired a shot that was slightly redirected by Souttar, wrong-footing Kelly. Although the goal was initially disallowed for offside, a VAR review confirmed its legitimacy, much to the delight of the traveling Celtic supporters.
With the score tied, both teams pushed for a winner in the closing stages. Celtic almost snatched the victory in the dying moments when Maeda capitalized on a defensive lapse by Tavernier, racing clear only to have his shot saved by Kelly.
After the match, Celtic captain Callum McGregor expressed a mix of satisfaction and disappointment. "Happy with the point but we've got enough of the game to win it. A wee bit of disappointment coming out of it. It's always tough coming here. We take our point, we're happy with the performance," he said.
On the other hand, Ferguson lamented the missed opportunity for Rangers. "A bit disappointed we didn't come away with three points. The commitment from my players was what I asked for, really good. We know Celtic are going to come out second half, but we weathered the storm really well," he stated, emphasizing the need for improvement in finishing.
The draw leaves Rangers with just four wins in their last 12 matches under Ferguson, with none at home since February 2, 2025. Meanwhile, Celtic, who have now gone six Old Firm derbies without a loss, will take confidence from this performance as they continue to build on their successful season.
As the dust settles on this latest chapter of the Old Firm rivalry, both teams will be looking ahead to the summer transfer window, seeking to strengthen their squads. Rangers may target a new left-back and a more consistent winger, while Celtic will be on the lookout for reinforcements to bolster their attacking options, particularly with Jota's injury sidelining him for the foreseeable future.
The Old Firm derby once again proved to be a showcase of passion, skill, and drama, living up to its reputation as one of football's greatest rivalries. The next encounter promises to be as electric as ever, as both clubs strive to assert their dominance in Scottish football.
