The Old Firm derby was stopped on Thursday mid-day when Arne Engels, the Celtic midfielder, was struck in the face by a things tossed from the Ibrox group.
With Rangers leading 3-0 in your home in the 87th min, Engels was struck as he prepared to take an edge for his group. Rangers gamers instantly went to their fans to ask for calmness, with captain Nicolas Raskin gesturing to the home followers after the occurrence.
Engels showed up to have a mark on his holy place, near his eye, yet the 21-year-old Belgian global had the ability to proceed the suit.
Chris Sutton, the previous Celtic demonstrator helping Sky Sports as a co-commentator, claimed the occurrence was “absolutely ridiculous”.
Fellow analyst Neil McCann, the previous Rangers and Scotland gamer, included: “That is disgusting. We don’t want to see that. There is no place for that in football.”
“This is the ugly side we do not like to see.”
“Absolutely ridiculous. That is disgusting. There is no place for that in football.”The Old Firm suit is briefly stopped as Celtic’s Arne Engels is struck by a things from the group. pic.twitter.com/f8KvI7EdUP
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) January 2, 2025
Referee Don Robertson brought the suit to a short-term stop as he brought the item, which seemed a coin, in the direction of the touchline. It was after that put right into a plastic bag and handed to a law enforcement officer.
‘Awful’ Celtic steamrolled
The throwing of the item tainted an extremely outstanding mid-day for Rangers as they bewildered the organization leaders in magnificent style.
Goals from Ianis Hagi, Robin Propper and Danilo safeguarded success for the home side, that are 11 factors behind their intense competitors.
“Rangers thoroughly deserved it and dominated the game from start to finish,” claimed previous Celtic supervisor Neil Lennon onSky Sports “There was nothing about Celtic today. They conceded so much width. It’s hard to be critical of them but today it was awful.”
Midfielder Hagi discharged in from outside package after 7 mins and the rattled site visitors battled to maintain at bay the ruthless hosts, that were shorn of numerous principals.
Brendan Rodgers’ side, without the support of away fans, saw a Kyogo Furuhashi objective liquid chalked off for offside early in the 2nd fifty percent prior to Rangers protector Propper packed in a 2nd in the 65th min.
Substitute Danilo knocked in a 3rd in the 81st min not long after climbing up off the bench, offering Clement boasting legal rights from the Glasgow derby for the very first time because coming to be supervisor in October 2023 and fending off broach the sack which has actually controlled his story in current weeks.
Rangers are currently 11 factors behind the Premiership leaders and although their title really hopes continue to be slimthe mental increase of the success was clear by the events at the last whistle.
05:25 PM GMT
Rangers supervisor talks
Philippe Clement: “It feels very good because the boys got the result they deserved, which they haven’t got in the last couple of weeks. You can see everyone is working really hard to get better and better.
“The pressing, everyone was doing the right things. They did really well, they were focused and concentrated and had quality too. It gives the fans belief that this new squad we are building has plenty of potential.”
05:19 PM GMT
Rangers gamers talk
Ianis Hagi: “It feels good and it is a step forward for us but we have to go again in three days and switch on again quickly. It’s all about my family and my father has had his opinions and knew everything that went on behind the scenes so it was a goal for him. I’m really happy, it’s just his second time at Ibrox.
Nicolas Raskin: “I’m so proud to be captain today but more than that just so happy to win three points, just so happy for the fans. It’s perfect.”
05:06 PM GMT
FULL-TIME: Rangers 3 Celtic 0
An enormous outcome for the hosts and taking into consideration both groups’ kind entering this, something of a shock.
Rangers have actually reduced Celtic’s lead on top to 11 factors so they are still not likely to win the organization, yet they have actually provided their followers a large amount to support around, provided themselves a significant shot of idea, and might well have actually conserved their supervisor’s task, also.
05:03 PM GMT
94 minutes: Rangers 3 Celtic 0
Triple replacement from Rangers, not exactly sure why, it’s not as if they require to lose time or moisten their competitors’ energy.
Philippe Clement, whose task was claimed to be on the line if Rangers shed today, will likely appreciate a wonderful glass of something tonight. Unless he’s doing completely dry January naturally.
05:00 PM GMT
92 minutes: Rangers 3 Celtic 0
Celtic will certainly wish to neglect this efficiency as rapidly as feasible. They have actually been ghosts. Hard to envision Rodgers will certainly allow them clean it under the rug though.
But credit rating to Rangers, they have actually been superior.
04:55 PM GMT
88 minutes: Rangers 3 Celtic 0
Celtic’s Engels decreases after seeming struck by something tossed from the group, yet the good news is he’s up rapidly and does not appear seriously injured. Hard to fathom why you would certainly do that anyhow, not to mention with your group 3-0 up.
04:54 PM GMT
86 minutes: Rangers 3 Celtic 0
A stat worth discussing: Celtic have today encountered one of the most shots (24) in a Premiership video game because documents started.
Chris Sutton has actually gone a little bit peaceful.
04:50 PM GMT
OBJECTIVE!
Rangers 3 Celtic 0 (Danilo, 81 minutes)
Cerny’s shot is obstructed yet it is up to Danilo, and with what should be his initial touch he coolly ports it home. Game over.
“It’s a statement victory, Rangers can beat Celtic,” yells the Sky Sports analyst.
04:47 PM GMT
80 minutes: Rangers 2 Celtic 0
Celtic have actually made 4 alternatives fruitless and currently Rangers make their initial, inducing Brazilian onward Danilo forBajrami Still seems like there are a lot more objectives in this …
04:43 PM GMT
75 minutes: Rangers 2 Celtic 0
Celtic attempting to require their back right into this currently and Maeda has a header from a bent cross to the back blog post, yet Yilmaz obstructs.
04:38 PM GMT
70 minutes: Rangers 2 Celtic 0
Celtic on the ropes once more as Rangers go with the kill. Penalty allures for handball versus Idah are disregarded yet this might be over quickly.
04:34 PM GMT
OBJECTIVE!
Rangers 2 Celtic 0 (Propper, 66 minutes)
Cerny pressures Schmeichel right into a wise conserve at his close to blog post and from the resulting edge it’s 2-0.
Raskin’s header is conserved by Schmeichel’s legs yet Robin Propper exists at the back blog post to require it home. It’s the Dutchman’s initial objective for the club, and what a time to do it. Ibrox is delirious.
04:30 PM GMT
63 minutes: Rangers 1 Celtic 0
Rangers are back on the top yet Celtic look even more made up than in the initial fifty percent. It’s fascinatingly positioned …
04:28 PM GMT
60 minutes: Rangers 1 Celtic 0
Close!
Rangers appreciate some property in the Celtic last 3rd with a free-kick and edge well safeguarded by the site visitors prior to Hagi attempts yet one more one from range– he has a preference for it today– yet once more it fits for Schmeichel.
Then Cerny is placed tidy with and wants to have actually made it 2-0 when he discharges throughout Schmeichel yet it strikes the within the blog post and curtail throughout the goalmouth right into the Celtic caretaker’s hands. Cerny did practically every little thing right– timed his run flawlessly and fired well, really unfortunate.
04:21 PM GMT
53 minutes: Rangers 1 Celtic 0
Disallowed objective: Kyogo goes simply a millisecond very early and it costs him. His control on his breast and volleyed coating were exceptional yet the ref chalks it off and VAR backs him up. That was significant caution for Rangers.
04:18 PM GMT
50 minutes: Rangers 1 Celtic 0
Hagi continues where he ended, reducing in from the left and capturing for objective yet Schmeichel collects his jumping shot without way too much worry. Already he competition has an extra well balanced feeling this fifty percent.
04:15 PM GMT
48 minutes: Rangers 1 Celtic 0
Celtic begin much better and Kyogo Furuhashi obtains a number of very early smells of objective yet Dujon Sterling exists to maintain him in check both times.
04:11 PM GMT
A feedback anticipated
Celtic tale Neil Lennon, on Sky Sports punditry responsibilities, is anticipating a large action after Brendan Rodgers has actually had words in the clothing area. No adjustments for the site visitors. They can not be as bad as they remained in the initial 45.
Rangers are maintaining their visitors waiting … yet ultimately show up and it’s time for the 2nd fifty percent …
04:00 PM GMT
HALF-TIME: Rangers 1 Celtic 0
Celtic will certainly be really happy to enter simply one down. Rangers will certainly be dissatisfied not to have actually racked up a lot more. Ianis Hagi’s wise coating in the 7th min is the distinction in between these 2 excellent competitors yet certainly the site visitors can not be so unpredictable and meek in the 2nd fifty percent. Rangers got on the front foot throughout and looked harmful each time they struck. It was a fascinating initial 45 mins.
03:55 PM GMT
48 minutes: Rangers 1 Celtic 0
Rangers’ Brazilian protector Jefte obtains a yellow card for a negligent swing of his arm joint that hits Nicolas Kühn (listed below) and bloodies his face. Sutton explains that the German had great deals of oral job done last period yet thankfully the cut appears to be on his nose. The home followers offer him a happy boo as he stands.
The resulting free-kick is brief and Rangers are solid in protection and require it out for an edge. It comes deep and Hatate fires right into the flooring and it jumps up in the direction of the objective, yet Kelly defeats it away. That was a suitable conserve and Celtic’s finest possibility.
Handbags at the half-time whistle in between Celtic captain McGreg or (that has actually currently been reserved yet is chuckling) and Raskin, the Belgian captain of Rangers, that is mad and obtains a yellow card.
03:49 PM GMT
45 minutes: Rangers 1 Celtic 0
Celtic attempting to put in a little control currently and they do look glossy with their death, yet each time they shed property and the group barks they look so unstable and at risk to the counter. Two mins of included time …
03:45 PM GMT
41 minutes: Rangers 1 Celtic 0
Celtic enter into the home box yet the Rangers protection is strong and Reo Hatate’s quick hazard is dispatched.
Rangers break and Celtic look broad open yet once more, yet Yilmaz’s capturing radar is method off this moment.
03:43 PM GMT
38 minutes: Rangers 1 Celtic 0
Another huge possibility for the hosts, with Carter-Vickers to the rescue for Celtic with a fantastic gliding take on to obstruct Diomande as he formed to fire inside package.
03:40 PM GMT
36 minutes: Rangers 1 Celtic 0
Hagi is packed over as he fires yet no nasty. Sutton on Sky backs the Celtic male [Paulo Bernardo] once more yet that looked rough onRangers Celtic will certainly be pleased to reach half time simply one down. They can anticipate a rocket from their supervisor when they arrive …
03:37 PM GMT
32 minutes: Rangers 1 Celtic 0
Hagi takes a joint in the rear of the head in an airborne difficulty with Alastair Johnston.
No card though, in spite of the blaring catcalls from the group, with the ref simply having a word and the VAR backing him up.
Chris Sutton, on Sky Sports, states it’s an all-natural method to leap by the Celtic male, no malignance. Looks like it injured Hagi, though he is back up and running currently.
03:34 PM GMT
29 minutes: Rangers 1 Celtic 0
The statistics verify Rangers’ prominence with 53 percent of the play in the Celtic back 3rd and simply 11 percent in the hosts’ back 3rd.
Hagi attempts one more from range yet it’s some method broad. You really feel the hosts actually require to obtain a 2nd objective while this much on the top as Celtic has to revive at some time.
03:30 PM GMT
26 minutes: Rangers 1 Celtic 0
Hagi is overflowing with self-confidence and swagger after his objective, and his wonderful turn and pass establish a fresh assault yet Yilmaz strikes the side netting when he needs to have drawn it back throughout objective from the right. Celtic get on the ropes.
03:26 PM GMT
22 minutes: Rangers 1 Celtic 0
Daizen Maeda, that has 3 in his last 5 versus Rangers, reduces right into package from the left yet his shot flies broad of the much blog post. End- to-end things.
03:24 PM GMT
19 minutes: Rangers 1 Celtic 0
Rangers come rising onward once more with Celtic looking really open with midfield and at the back, Yilmaz drives in from the right yet his shot from concerning 20 lawns is no trouble for Schmeichel.
03:21 PM GMT
17 minutes: Rangers 1 Celtic 0
Celtic look rather rattled yet a lengthy sphere over the leading practically succumbs to Kyogo, yet the extending Japanese onward can not make suitable call.
03:17 PM GMT
13 minutes: Rangers 1 Celtic 0
A magnificent beginning for the hosts, whose followers were being afraid the most awful yet rather remain in paradise right now.
Rangers flooding onward once more, many thanks to a lot more great by captain Raskin, and Cerny’s dispersed shot strikes bench with Schmeichel stranded.
03:12 PM GMT
OBJECTIVE!
Rangers 1 Celtic 0 (Hagi, 7 minutes)
A rampant run by captain Raskin and he lays it off for Ianis Hagi, that discharges home reduced right into the edge from outside package.
The Rangers marker signals to his daddy, Gheorghe Hagi, in the stands. Dad might play a little bit.
03:09 PM GMT
5 minutes: Rangers 0 Celtic 0
Rangers were sluggish to begin and were stalling– an unsafe strategy and certainly not desire Clement desired … yet all of a sudden springtime right into life and a sequence of shots from Diomande and Bajrami develop pin-ball panic in the Celtic protection, which looks unstable. Big sound in Ibrox!
03:06 PM GMT
3 minutes: Rangers 0 Celtic 0
Celtic supply the initial risk, winning an edge where Rangers clamber the risk with Kyogo floating.
03:03 PM GMT
Here we go
It was perfectly observed, yet hostilities return as the home group roundly boo the Celtic gamers as they gather prior to kick-off …
03:01 PM GMT
Respect
A min’s silence is being kept in remembrance of the Ibrox catastrophe, which declared the lives of 66 followers 54 years back.
02:59 PM GMT
Nearly time …
The groups are out, with Tina Turner’s Simply the Best being blown up out of the arena audio speakers, as is the standard in these components …
02:58 PM GMT
Brendan Rodgers talks
Celtic supervisor has a fast pre-kick-off conversation with Sky Sports …
It’s constantly a demanding examination below, we anticipate a challenging video game. It’s excellent to have that background [Celtic have won seven and lost once in the last 10 Old Firm derbies] in the component yet it’s due to the gamers revealing excellent ability and skill and self-control and it’s significantly concerning looking onward.
There are points we have actually evaluated [from League Cup final] yet we simply wish to play our video game. We recognize they have talented gamers yet we wish to enforce our video game.
02:54 PM GMT
Last break
The last clash in between these 2 clubs was unforgettable forever and poor factors.
The League Cup last at Hampden Park on December 15 was a corker of a video game– a see-sawing 3-3 draw which Celtic ultimately won in a fine combat.
However, the day was greatly eclipsed by follower physical violence, with a team of Rangers fans in Santa Claus hats and wearing blue balaclavas going on the rampage in the city centre.
02:47 PM GMT
Daizen the risk male
Daizen Maeda goes back to the Celtic beginning XI today and with 14 objectives up until now this term– consisting of 3 in the last 4 video games– the Japanese onward is just one of the site visitors’ primary hazards.
02:42 PM GMT
Ibrox catastrophe kept in mind
This might be just one of globe football’s most bitter inter-city competitions, yet followers and reps of both clubs have actually been revealing their regard on the 54-year wedding anniversary of the Ibrox catastrophe.
On January 2, 1971, a crush in a departure stairs at the Rangers arena triggered the fatality of 66 followers.
Today there was a program of unity on Edmiston Drive, which adds to and along with Ibrox, in remembrance of the targets.
02:27 PM GMT
Philippe Clement talks
The Rangers supervisor has actually simply taken inquiries from Sky Sports, whose press reporter instead pleasantly did not inquire about the opinion that his task is under risk.
We require to enjoy this set, these are the video games gamers pertain to Rangers for. It’s a brand-new trip with this team of gamers [due to injuries] and you require numerous leaders on the pitch and I am anticipating this fromLiam Kelly [stand-in goalkeeper] We wish to play the exact same type of video game [as in the League Cup final – a 3-3 draw with Celtic winning on penalties] and to complete once more as we did after that, yet to take the 3 factors.
02:18 PM GMT
No away followers
Ibrox will certainly be completely blue this mid-day as away followers continue to be locked out from Old Firm derbies.
There were none enabled Rangers’ check out to Celtic in September and the exact same opts for today, although there are strategies to permit the 5 percent allotment for checking out fans to return for the suits later on in the period.
While the ambience might endure for an absence of away followers, Glasgows’ constabulary will likely be rather happy today.
And this additionally possibly describes why this Old Firm derby has the uncommon kick-off time of 3pm, as opposed to the earlier anti-boozing begins generally liked.
02:13 PM GMT
Sutton: Could be drapes for Clement
The Scottish media is forecasting that the setting of Rangers supervisor Philippe Clement will certainly remain in risk needs to his side shed in your home today and autumn 17 factors behind their bitter competitors.
And talking on Sky Sports, previous Celtic demonstrator Chris Sutton has actually advised Clement encounters a possibly crucial day at Ibrox:
“This could be Philippe Clement’s last dance as Rangers manager today. I suspect things could get ugly if they lose. It’s the depleted Rangers going into the game. They’ve barely a defender fit, Jack Butland’s missing and it will be backs to the wall. They’ve got to come out with a ferocious display and just hope that Celtic aren’t at their best today.
“It’s a 14-point gap, could be a 17-point gap. It can’t keep being a project at Rangers, going through a transitional period. Maybe Europa [League] has saved him as performances there have been good, but losing the cup final to Celtic when Celtic weren’t at their best, it was important for him to get a trophy in the bag. He didn’t do that so the pressure is building.
“Essentially it will be the Rangers supporters who will get Philippe Clement out if their team get dispatched today on their own patch, but their biggest rivals. Then I suspect it could be curtains.”
02:00 PM GMT
Teams information
For those that favor the antique style …
Rangers: Kelly, Ridvan, Propper, Sterling, Jefte, Raskin (c), Diomande, Bajrami, Hagi, Cerny,Igamane
Subs: Munn, Cortes, Barron, Dessers, Matondo, Dowell, King, Fraser, Danilo.
Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor, McGreg or (c), Bernardo, Hatate, Kuhn, Maeda,Kyogo
Subs: Sinisalo, Trusty, Palma, Idah, Valle, Yang, McCowan, Engels, Ralston.
Rangers have considerable injury concerns at the back with captain and right-back James Tavernier and goalkeeper and vice-captain Jack Butland out. Defenders Leon Balogun, Neraysho Kasanwirjo and John Souttar are additionally not available, together with midfielderTom Lawrence Liam Kelly deputises in between the sticks and Brazilian Jefte ports in at right-back with Robin Propper and Dujon Sterling proceeding at centre-back. Forwards Vaclav Cerny, Ianis Hagi and Hamza Igamane can be found in with Oscar Cortes, Kieran Dowell and Cyriel Dessers going down to the bench.
Celtic have a virtually pure team, with winger James Forrest the only victim. Brendan Rodgers recovers captain Callum McGreg or, left-back Greg Taylor and onward Daizen Maeda to his beginning line-up, with Alex Valle, Arne Engels and Yang Hyun-Jun going down to the bench.
01:55 PM GMT
Celtic beginning XI
01:54 PM GMT
Rangers line-up
01:48 PM GMT
Rodgers can enhance stress on Clement
Hello and welcome to our online insurance coverage of the Old Firm derby as Celtic seek to commemorate the brand-new year by offing Rangers’ pale hopes of remaining in the title race.
It might not be a public vacation in England and Wales yet north of the boundary it definitely is and there is a complete Premiership program today with the Glasgow ding-dong the juiciest offering.
Celtic are a monstrous 14 factors free from their bitter competitors, that will certainly be wishing the extreme home benefit of dipping into Ibrox (without any away followers enabled) can assist them maintain within some type of touching range of Brendan Rodgers’ side, with 2 even more Old Firm derbies still ahead hereafter one.
The 2 sides have actually had contrasting joyful durations, Celtic skipping to 4-0 gain St Johnstone and Motherwell while Rangers have actually attracted 2-2 with Motherwell and shed 2-1 at St Mirren, heaping stress on supervisor Philippe Clement.
The 2 gaffers have actually had extremely different documents in Old Firm derbies, with Clement yet to win in 6 efforts while Rodgers has actually taken pleasure in 16 success and endured simply one loss in 20 derbies over 2 spells with the Glasgow club.
And the previous Liverpool and Leicester supervisor’s analysis of the component’s vibration for supervisors might be disconcerting for Belgian Clement, the previous Club Brugge and Monaco supervisor. “It is where you are judged at this level, working at Celtic or Rangers,” claimedRodgers “I think you are judged in these games. I saw Giovanni van Bronckhorst get to a European final and then lose his job not long after because he was losing to Celtic.”
Rodgers has actually additionally disregarded any kind of idea that the suit is a ‘dead rubber’ due to Celtic’s substantial lead on top of the table. “There is never a Rangers-Celtic game that’s a dead rubber – not in my book,” he claimed. “I love the occasion, I love the game – it’s an iconic game and one that I always want to win. I have got players who know what it means, they know what it takes to win, and they, like I, are committed to delivering that.”
