Celtic Park was buzzing with excitement on March 16, 2025, as the fierce rivalry of the Old Firm clash unfolded between Celtic and Rangers. This was not just any match; it was the third encounter of the season, with Celtic closing the gap on the Premiership title and Rangers seeking to restore some glory after trailing their rivals by 16 points.
Rangers, under the new command of interim head coach Barry Ferguson, had recently gained momentum following their dramatic penalty shootout victory over Fenerbahce, which secured their place in the Europa League quarter-finals. Both teams arrived at the iconic ground ready for battle, with players spotted entering the venue amid the anticipation of fans.
Earlier this week, Celtic was faced with injury concerns, particularly with captain Callum McGregor sidelined due to a calf issue. Consequently, McGregor was unable to play, and Auston Trusty was also missing from the line-up. Nonetheless, Celtic's manager, Brendan Rodgers, remained optimistic and named an attacking formation hoping to inch closer to clinching the league title.
The starting eleven for Celtic featured Kasper Schmeichel as their goalkeeper, backed by defenders Jeffrey Schlupp, Maik Nawrocki, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Alistair Johnston. Marking McGregor's absence, Luke McCowan stood alongside Reo Hatate and Arne Engels in the midfield. The attack was fortified with Jota, central striker Daizen Maeda, and Nicholas Kuhn on the left flank.
Meanwhile, Rangers began with Jack Butland in goal, flanked by Leon Balogun, John Souttar, and James Tavernier forming the core of their defense. The team's wing-backs were Ridvan Yilmaz and Dujon Sterling, providing width to their play. The midfield was anchored by Connor Barron and Nicolas Raskin, with Vaclav Cerny and Mohamed Diomande supporting striker Cyriel Dessers.
Just before the match kicked off at 12:30 PM, there was tremendous energy and camaraderie among the players and fans alike. The two Glasgow giants were meeting for the first time since their last encounter back on December 15, 2024, at Hampden Park during the Premier Sports Cup Final.
The match began with both teams fiercely contesting possession. Rangers quickly made their mark, racing to establish a two-goal lead by halftime. They showcased their strategic prowess and physicality, leaving Celtic under pressure. Livingston's equivalence was provided through Hamza Igamane, whose scoring prowess delivered the winning strike, clinching the match for Rangers.
After Rangers scored their second, Celtic rallied, displaying significant resilience as they mounted their response. They fought hard, managing to equalize with goals from Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda. The packed crowd roared as the tide seemed to turn, but it was not enough to hold off Rangers.
With the excitement still high and the clock ticking, Igamane put the game to bed with his stunning late winner, sealing victory for Rangers with the final score reading 3-2. Although the title race may well have been slipping from Rangers' grasp, they successfully secured bragging rights and returned to winning ways against their archrivals.
After the match, Barry Ferguson was understandably jubilant, uttering, "I am delighted. We were immense in the first half; it was everything I asked from them. Disappointed with the two goals, but what’s the big word everyone has thrown against them, character? This was a prime example. They’ve been brilliant to work with over the last weeks. You can see the signs, we're getting there. Overall, we deserved it.”
James Tavernier, the Rangers' captain, echoed Ferguson's sentiments, affirming, "Obviously happy to get the result. We showed resilience; we were brave on the ball and took our chances. We were clinical. It's been a good week for the club. Delighted for the boys."
Meanwhile, former Celtic manager Neil Lennon reflected on Celtic’s performance: "Rangers showed bundles of character. Celtic weren't functioning as well as they could have done. You can't give a two-goal lead to any team, particularly your biggest rivals. Celtic managed to get it back to 2-2, then switched off. This is what it means to Barry Ferguson!"
Celtic had dominated possession throughout the match, holding 71% of the ball and registering 14 shots compared to Rangers' 10. Still, it wasn't enough to secure the victory. Barry Ferguson's men were ready to seize their moment, taking the lead and holding on through gritty determination.
Overall, it was not just any derby; it displayed the chaos, passion, and spectacle of one of football's most intense rivalries. With fans joyous and despondent by turns, the aftermath of the match illuminated the shared love of the game and steadfast loyalty to their clubs.
For their continued supporters, this match served as both jubilation and reminder of the fierce competition—moving forward, both Celtic and Rangers must regroup and prepare for the challenges still to come this season. Today, it was Rangers who tasted victory, reminded once again of the unpredictability and fervor of the Old Firm derby.