Rangers Football Club made headlines on January 2, 2025, by claiming a dramatic 3-0 victory over Celtic during the latest Old Firm derby at Ibrox Stadium. The win not only marks Rangers' first triumph against their city rivals this season but also delivers a significant blow to Celtic's previously unblemished domestic record.
Celtic entered the match with significant momentum, not having lost any domestic match since December 2023, and boasting a comfortable 14-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership. They were expected to maintain their dominance, but infamously fell short, showcasing their worst performance of the season. Rangers, on the other side, were eager to close the gap and end their recent struggles.
From the outset, it was clear this would be no ordinary contest. Rangers struck first just seven minutes in. Ianis Hagi, playing under the watchful eye of his legendary father, Gheorghe Hagi, dazzled the home crowd with his firm, precise strike from outside the box, courtesy of a clever lay-off from Nico Raskin. This early lead energized the Rangers supporters and their players alike.
Throughout the first half, Rangers were relentless, applying pressure on Celtic’s defense. Vaclav Cerny's deflected shot hit the crossbar, and moments later, Liam Kelly, Rangers’ goalkeeper making only his second start, showcased his skills with an impressive save against Reo Hatate's effort right before halftime.
After the break, the pace of the match continued to favor Rangers. The second goal came shortly after the hour mark, thanks to Robin Pröpper, who capitalized on chaos inside the box. Rangers' Raskin had his header blocked, but Pröpper was right there to pounce on the rebound, doubling Rangers' lead.
Then, just moments after being substituted onto the pitch, Danilo scored, making the scoreline 3-0. His quick impact sent shockwaves through the Celtic ranks as the home fans erupted with joy. Celebrations from the loyal Rangers supporters were intertwined with disbelief over Celtic's defensive frailties.
Philippe Clement, Rangers’ manager, expressed his delight at the performance, stating, “It feels very good as the boys got the reward they deserve... It is a very important win.” The team had failed to secure results recently, and this win felt like redemption.
On the other side, Celtic's manager Brendan Rodgers acknowledged the gap between the two sides on this day, remarking, “I thought the best team won. I thought Rangers were...” He lamented several unforced errors and acknowledged his team lacked aggression. The defensive missteps were highlighted when Neil Lennon commented, “The second goal was symptomatic of Celtic. It was shocking defending.”
Celtic players, who had previously shown resilience throughout the season, were simply unable to absorb the fierce assault from Rangers. They faced 24 attempts from their rivals, marking the highest number of shots they have endured since detailed records began. Rodgers noted the lack of edge his team displayed even when well-positioned against Rangers. He said, “We were just very passive, I felt, today, which is unlike us. We were punished for it.”
The aftermath of the match left Celtic grappling with the reality of their performance. Despite remaining atop the Premiership table, the defeat prompted questions about complacency within their ranks, and the need for recovery and reinvigoration as they progress through the season.
On the flip side, this victory not only signals Rangers' readiness to challenge but also strengthens Clement’s position as manager amid mounting pressure after recent less-than-stellar showings. Nicolas Raskin, who donned the captain's armband for the day, expressed his pride and commented, “I'm so proud of being named captain... It was just a good afternoon.”
Ibrox Stadium came alive with the sound of Rangers fans celebrating their team’s remarkable performance, reveling not only at the scoreline but also at the passion their side had shown. Ianis Hagi declared, “It feels good because we want to win derbies,” recognizing the importance of the match and its impact moving forward. The potential ramifications of this Old Firm clash can propel Rangers toward greater consistency to make up for the league gap.
While the path forward remains unclear, with Rodgers aware of the famous rivalry’s importance, he must search for answers to prevent the repeat of such poor performances. Regardless of the outcome of this match for each team, both will need to pull together to navigate the challenges awaiting on their respective paths as the Scottish Premiership season continues.