Match Pictures | Matches: 2023 – 2024
Trivia
- KO:12:30; Saturday; Sky Sports TV, league game 21
- Celtic end the calendar year on 51pts and on +35GD, ahead of Sevco on 28 pts (albeit played two games less) and +28GD. So Celtic regain the points gap ahead of Sevco, but long way to go.
- First meeting between Rodgers and Clements as the respective managers. Clement was yellow carded in the first half!
- Snowing in the West of Scotland today. Bit heavy too.
- Liel Abada back in full training. Hatate also but both only on bench. Abada comes on off the bench, his first game in months, Great reception for Abada’s return, never in any doubt to us Celtic Supporters.
- WRT the possible penalty in the first half NOT given to Sevco (Johnston handball) – there was an offside just before it! Shock horror no Sevco penalty given!
- Sevco issue VAR statement and call for audio release over penalty incident Johnston handball incident in the first half has sparked controversy. It was not a penalty regardless due to prior offside. They blow the whole issue, and even demand that VAR referee (Willie Collum) should be barred from future match officiating involving Sevco! Their fans online blame it on conspiracies against them! SFA ends up having to issue a strong rebuttal (see below). Sevco demanding audio to be released etc. A diversionary tactic following their failure in this match.
- Red Carded Sevco Player – Balogun – seen spitting in direction of Celtic players/fans when walking off the field down into the tunnel!
- No away supporters at this game the spat continues. Sevco began the issue after pandering to the dregs in their support to limit Celtic fans at Ibrox, and now are using the media to pass the buck.
- CCV out injured after midweek match just past. Welsh & Scales start, whilst incredibly the three brought in the summer are not in favour by the manager for starting (Phillips, Lagerbielke & Nawrocki).
- Nawrocki came on finally after Welsh injured, Nawrocki’s first match since the start of the season!
- Report: Brendan Rodgers listed as one of the bookmakers favourites to replace Eddie Howe as Newcastle Utd manager (who ironically turned Celtic down a few seasons back).
- Asian Cup: Oh & Yang in Korea squad. They could be unavailable to Celtic up until Feb 17th.
- Celtic’s coach Harry Kewell to move on and replace countryman Muscat at a #JLeague club. All the best to him.
- Ross County manager Steven Ferguson insists postponing their game against Sevco in midweek due to weather conditions was the right decision, despite this being their fifth call-off of the season.
- Transfer window opens in two days. Lot of activity expected (or hoped for) at Celtic.
- Reports: South Korean midfielder Jung Ho–Yeon has had “advanced” talks with Celtic over a January move, according to Gwangju FC boss Lee Jung-Hyo.
- Brendan Rodgers says no new signings are in pipeline for the start of the January transfer window.
- Zander Murray: First openly gay male Scottish footballer to retire.
- Jonathan Afolabi, who had a three-year spell at Celtic where he went out on loans and played for the B team, has joined Belgian top flight side Kortrijk.It comes after he ended 2023 as the Irish top flight’s top scorer with 15 goals for Bohemians!
Summary
“That is the synergy of this club, that connection between the support and the players. When we have the supporters with us it’s a real force at Celtic and we’ll want that, of course, at the weekend.”
Rodgers pre match
Sky Sports & Ex-Celt Chris Sutton pre-match: “Brendan Rodgers is facing his toughest Rangers test yet in iron fist Philippe Clement”
“Derby Day is Kyogo Day”
– Sky Commenator
Chris Sutton @chris_sutton73:
“If I was Todd Cantwell I’d watch Callum McGregor DVD’s…”
“Maybe Rangers should start moaning”
Kris Boyd (Sky Sports analyst (sic!) and ex-Rangers player)
Brendan Rodgers: “The win feels great. Very important. Surface was difficult & players did well. Only downside is v 10 men when we have to control game better. We gave the ball away too often. Callum is at a different level as a player. At times he plays 6 & 8. A brilliant leader. In the second half of the season I know we’ll get better”
“Over my two spells here I’ve worked against 5 five Rangers managers and every time Rangers were ‘coming’… every time”.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers reacts to suggestions Rangers were getting closer to their before today’s 2-1 win.
(joebloggscity of TheCelticWiki):
A very dramatic game, in which Celtic once in front, give little room for Sevco to reply. A mostly even first half, saw Celtic take a lead through Bernardo, playing his first major performance all season, a fine strike in the box. Sevco had a couple of opportunties, but mostly it was even. After Kyogo scored a scintialling long range goal just after the break, it was all Celtic, until Tavernier scored an admittedly exceptional free kick with ten mins to go. A nervy finale to the match, but Celtic held out for a deserved win as the second half in particular was all Celtic and Sevco lost a player to a red card for last man pulling down Maeda (no arguement on that one).
Two major penalty talking points, but Johnston’s handball was not a penalty as an offside just before it. BUT there was a Celtic penalty NOT given late in the game which was concerning as no VAR either!
Full marks to Brendan Rodgers, who of late has had to take a lot of stick (and deservedly so), but full marks for today. He go the tactics right, the teams right and substitions right too. This despite plenty of injuries, struggling squad, poor weather & poor run of late. Respect to him.
Full respect also to Bernardo & CalMac who played very well & bossed the game, whilst concerns about Welsh & Scales to cover as CCV was out injured, was seen to be no real worry. However, Welsh went off with a shoulder injury, and Nawrocki came on and did a great job in his place.
Must add that a number of Celtic players gave their all and proved themselves after a lot of criticism in recent matches.
A great day, and the only thing missing in this match was a penalty & Sevco fans to laugh at!
Happy New Year to all, but still a long way to go, effectively puts Celtic 2pts in front, assuming Sevco win their games in hand.
Etims:
E-Tims @ETimsNet · 46m 1st half end to end. #Celtic totally controlled 2nd half until their very late goal. After that a bundle of nerves to see it out but they never had another chance while we wasted a few final balls for tap ins. Qs asked about team. They stood up & merited win today. BravoE-Tims. Considering the players sold & not replaced the past 12 months & the amount of young players (projects) we’ve had to DEP on due to injuries to key players, we’ve done well to top league at end of the year. Now #Celtic board need to back mgr & bring in 3-4 1st team players in Jan.
Etims: Daizen Maeda….he’s great at certain things (their Red) and Shite at the basics. I still love him!
BP (pre match): “Incredible to think we brought 3 Centre Backs in during the summer and none of them have a chance starting ahead of Scales and Welsh tomorrow.”
Inside The SPFL @AgentScotland Callum McGregor was sensational again this afternoon, that’s two Glasgow derbies this season he’s totally dominated, everything goes through him, he dictates the tempo, how Celtic play and more importantly how Rangers play, the best footballer in Scotland and it’s not even close.
Teams
Celtic
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Hart
- 2 Johnston Booked at 17mins
- 57 Welsh Substituted for Nawrocki at 35′minutes Booked at 87mins
- 5 Scales
- 3 Taylor
- 33 O’RileyBooked at 40mins
- 42 McGregor Booked at 85mins
- 28 Gonçalves Bernardo Booked at 26mins Substituted for Turnbull at 71′minutes Booked at 80mins
- 38 Maeda Substituted forJohnston at 83′minutes
- 8 Furuhashi Substituted for Oh at 83′minutes Booked at 90mins
- 7 Palma Substituted for Abada at 83′minutes
Substitutes
- 11Abada
- 13Yang
- 14Turnbull
- 17Nawrocki
- 19Oh
- 29Bain
- 41Hatate
- 56Ralston
- 90Johnston
Goals:
- Gonçalves Bernardo (25′ minutes),
- Furuhashi (47′ minutes)
Assists:
- O’Riley (47′ minutes)
Rangers
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Butland
- 2Tavernier
- 6GoldsonBooked at 90mins
- 27Balogun Red Card at 71mins
- 3Yilmaz
- 21Sterling Booked at 59mins
- 4Lundstram Substituted for Souttar at 77′minutesBooked at 90mins
- 45McCausland
- 13Cantwell Substituted forDowellat 69′minutes
- 19Sima Substituted forWrightat 70′minutes
- 9Dessers
Substitutes
- 5Souttar
- 14Lammers
- 15Cifuentes
- 17Matondo
- 20Dowell
- 23Wright
- 28McCrorie
- 38King
- 44Devine
Goals:
- Tavernier (88′ minutes)
Ref:Nick Walsh
Att: 60000 (no Sevco fans)
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
Away Team Rangers
- Possession
- Home56%
- Away44%
- Shots
- Home12
- Away14
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away3
- Corners
- Home4
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home18
- Away14
Articles
SFA hit back at Rangers: Celtic incident addressed, ‘disappointment’, audio review, request to Ibrox club
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/rangers/sfa-hit-back-at-rangers-celtic-incident-addressed-disappointment-audio-review-request-to-ibrox-club-4466906
The governing body is ‘disappointed’ by Rangers statement over Old Firm VAR call
By Ronnie Esplin
Published 4th Jan 2024, 19:04 GMT
Updated 4th Jan 2024, 19:05 GMT
The Scottish Football Association has hit back at Rangers as the row over a non-penalty incident at Celtic Park continues.
Celtic defender Alistair Johnston appeared to handle the ball inside the area in the first half of the cinch Premiership clash at Parkhead on December 30 while under pressure from Gers forward Abdallah Sima. Referee Nick Walsh pointed for a goal kick and the decision was confirmed by VAR official Willie Collum following a check.
It later emerged through Sky Sports – broadcasting the match live – that there had been an offside in the build-up and Rangers claimed that was never mentioned during the VAR analysis. The Ibrox club called on the SFA to release the audio of the incident and following a meeting with the governing body on Wednesday, Rangers said there was “an overriding consensus the VAR decision of no handball was incorrect”. The Govan club also added they were “deeply concerned” by the speed of the decision and there were reports that the club had requested that Collum not be involved in Rangers games going forward.
Rangers claim for a penalty after the ball hits the arm of Celtic’s Alistair Johnston.
Rangers claim for a penalty after the ball hits the arm of Celtic’s Alistair Johnston.
However, in a lengthy statement the SFA said: “The Scottish FA is disappointed by contents of the most recent statement issued by Rangers. “Chief executive James Bisgrove and director of football operations Creag Robertson attended a private briefing with the head of referee operations, Crawford Allan, to review the incident in question, including the use of matchday audio. We understood from the chief executive that the meeting had been constructive and informative, and conducted amicably. This does not appear to be reflected in the club’s statement.
“During the meeting, it was pointed out that the incident in question was a subjective handball and that the VAR did not deem it a sufficiently clear and obvious error to refer to on-field review. Furthermore, the offside would not have been mentioned at the time as it was not part of the VAR’s decision-making on the handball.
“It was highlighted within Clydesdale House that had the VAR considered the incident to be a handball offence and asked the referee to carry out an on-field review, the attacking phase of play would have been checked and an offside would have been identified. This supplementary information was relayed to broadcasters in-game, and we are reviewing the process of information dissemination to avoid any perceived ambiguity in future.
“There was an overall consensus that the incident could not have led to a penalty kick being awarded in any event, and that there was no impact on the final outcome of the match.”
The statement continued: “Since the summer, we have ensured that key match incidents [KMI] are reviewed and shared with all clubs after every full round of Premiership fixtures, including use of audio. We will continue to do this, along with KMI being shared with the independent review panel for their consideration and opinion.
“Finally, we note posts from a recent official media partner of the club’s detailing requests from the private meeting that were immediately rejected. We would ask that club representatives show greater responsibility in such matters, especially in the context of recent incidents in European football that have compromised the safety of match officials and led to widespread condemnation.”
The latter comments comes after former MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca was recently given a permanent suspension for punching referee Halil Umut Meler after his side’s draw with Caykur Rizespor in the Turkish Super Lig.
Kyogo Furuhashi edges vital Celtic win after 10-man Rangers refuse to lie down
Ewan Murray at Celtic Park
@mrewanmurray
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/dec/30/celtic-rangers-scottish-premiership-match-report
The latest momentum shift in this Scottish Premiership season comes at an opportune time for Brendan Rodgers. Rangers arrived at Celtic Park trailing their oldest foes by five points but holding two games in hand. They left disconsolate; Philippe Clement finally sampling defeat in his 17th match in charge.
The further bad news for Clement is Celtic are likely to strengthen considerably in January. Celtic were not altogether convincing here and were given a fright by James Tavernier’s late free-kick. In this fixture, though, result is everything. Celtic simply had to find a way to halt a Rangers surge.
During an opening half in which Rangers performed pretty well, Paulo Bernardo eased Celtic nerves. The visitors failed to clear a Luis Palma corner, with Bernardo meeting the loose ball before lashing home. Rangers were later to feel aggrieved over the non-award of a penalty for a handball by Alistair Johnston but television pictures appeared to show an offside in the lead-up to the incident.
Celtic’s start to the second period involved their finest spell of the game. Kyogo Furuhashi shifted the ball on to his left foot before curling a wonderful finish beyond Jack Butland. Furuhashi has scored seven goals against Rangers in 2023. That appeared to be that, especially after the Rangers centre-back Leon Balogun was dismissed for hauling down the marauding Daizen Maeda.
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Rangers had other ideas. Tavernier’s set play, from 22 yards and an angle, was excellent. Eight minutes of additional time fuelled angst in the stands. Celtic held on to secure back-to-back Old Firm successes. This may well prove a hugely significant win in the context of the campaign.
Celtic take down Rangers in gripping Old Firm derby as Kyogo Furuhashi steals show with stunning winner
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-take-down-rangers-in-gripping-old-firm-derby-as-kyogo-furuhashi-steals-show-with-stunning-winner-4461704
The champions move eight points clear at top – but Rangers have two games in hand
Mark Atkinson
By Mark Atkinson
Published 30th Dec 2023, 14:36 GMT
Celtic have moved eight points clear at the top of the cinch Premiership after they defeated bitter rivals Rangers 2-1 in the second Old Firm derby of the season.
Goals from Paulo Bernardo, on 25 minutes, and Kyogo Furuhashi two minutes into the second half clinched the victory for Brendan Rodgers’ men. His Rangers counterpart Philippe Clement, meanwhile, suffered his first defeat in the Ibrox hotseat in his 17th match at the helm. While Rangers have two games in hand over Celtic, the momentum of the title race has swung back towards their rivals.
Celtic were without Cameron Carter-Vickers in defence and while Stephen Welsh replaced him, he only lasted 35 minutes before succumbing to his own injury, with Maik Nawrocki replacing him. Rangers were able to call upon centre-half Connor Goldson and midfielder John Lundstram, both of whom were pre-match injury doubts, but could not overcome the defending champions at Celtic Park.
Kyogo Furuhashi curls home Celtic’s second goal against Rangers.
Kyogo Furuhashi curls home Celtic’s second goal against Rangers.
Bernardo fired Celtic ahead after Abdallah Sima’s weak headed clearance landed in his path. Rangers had opportunities to level before the break but Cyriel Dessers dallied too long when through on goal before keeper Joe Hart made a smart save from Ross McCausland. They also had a penalty claim for an Alistair Johnston handball checked by VAR, but an offside against Sima in the build-up ended any chance of a spot-kick.
Celtic doubled their lead two minutes into the second period when Furuhashi curled home a fine strike into the top corner from outside the penalty box and any hope of Rangers mounting a comeback appeared to be extinguished when defender Leon Balogun was sent off on 71 minutes for hauling down Daizen Maeda when through on goal. However, captain James Tavernier lashed home a free-kick on 88 minutes to ensure a nervy finish for Celtic in 11 minutes of stoppage time.
Celtic are away at St Mirren on January 2, with Rangers at home to Kilmarnock before the league shuts down for three weeks.
Celtic-Rangers debrief: modern-day derby greatness for duo, Clement grafts Ibrox backbone, VAR’s ill-communication
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-rangers-debrief-modern-day-derby-greatness-for-duo-clement-grafts-ibrox-backbone-vars-ill-communication-4461809
Furuhashi continues to hurt Rangers as Rodgers lands first blow on Clement
Andrew Smith
By Andrew Smith
Published 30th Dec 2023, 21:00 GMT
Updated 30th Dec 2023, 21:20 GMT
Comment
Amid the feverish talk of potential title impact, all that was settled by a throbbing, unpredictable derby dust-up were collective Celtic nerves. And even then that was after a fashion, despite them ultimately carrying the day.
Of course, there was bankability in the home side’s endeavours. The 2-1 win for the home side ensured that Brendan Rodgers and Kyogo Furuhashi have carved out special status in the fixture’s modern-day history. The Northern Irishman by dint of boasting the only 80 per cent win rate for any manager to have helmed a team in at least ten such confrontations across the era – his two-out-of-two record in the meetings of his second spell this season taking him on to 12 wins from a 15 span in which he has suffered only one defeat. Then there is Celtic’s Japanese jack-in-the-box striker. In a calendar year, no player from either side has bagged seven goals in the derby domain that defines all for the Glasgow leviathans. But that is what Furuhashi did by conjuring up a glorious finish – even Rangers manager Philippe Clement was moved to describe it as “world class” – to put the home side 2-0 up three minutes after the interval.
When Leon Balogun earned himself a straight red in proving all octopus arms as he wrestled Daizen Maeda to the ground with the attacker boring in on goal after 72nd minutes, a Rangers crumble was anticipated. But instead, the ten men demonstrated the backbone that inside only three months, and missing half his first-choice picks as he was again in Glasgow’s east end, Clement appears to have grafted on to squad. Even as they are largely the same players that so often in the key confrontations between the big two across recent seasons seemed to become invertebrates.
Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi curls the ball past Jack Butland in the Rangers goal.
Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi curls the ball past Jack Butland in the Rangers goal.
The closing 20 minutes then were transformed from the expected breeze for Rodgers’ team to a fingernail-biting closing passage of almost 12 minutes – ten of them stoppage time – following the sumptuous free-kick curled into the top corner by James Tavernier from 22 yards to the left of goal. No wonder that Clement had little but admiration for his mix-and-match, understrength and, eventually, under full-complement side. This final stretch of a ferocious, flat-out thrash of an encounter embroidered by three goals of the absolute highest standard betrayed the mental scarring afflicting Celtic as a result of their capacity for dropping points in this up-and-down campaign, no fewer than seven on their own patch ahead of hosting Rangers.
The Belgian had his quibbles with “circumstances” that contributed to his team’s downfall and seemed to have solid grounds for grumbling with a clear handball by the unconvincing Alistair Johnston, who inadvertently fisted it out of play when challenging Abdallah Sima shortly before the interval. However, his case was entirely undermined through it later emerging that a VAR check had discovered the Senegalese attacker had strayed offside in the lead-up. The communication breakdowns that deprived the combatants, those in the stadium and those watching at home of such crucial information – at least until Sky much later cleared up the matter – suggests there remains protocol changes for the SFA refereeing department to ensure the necessary transparency in decision-making.
On one front, the decision-making witnessed in this latest iteration of Glasgow’s intercity footballing warfare was pristine, though. Celtic, as was no great surprise, produced the more composed and crafted play. Everything to do with their midfield fulcrum and team leader Callum McGregor, whose dynamism and deftness in a domain that so often disavows such elements put him on another plane from all around him.
His seizing of possession and tempo-changing immaculate use of the ball was instrumental in Celtic taking charge early on. Across the opening quarter of the encounter McGregor helped engineer a glaring headed opening for Bernardo that he squandered, before the Benfica loanee sent a fizzing effort into the side netting. It transpired that this was his sighter when, shortly afterwards and with the clock showing 26 minutes, he had net net bulging in dazzling fashion. A Luis Palma corner from the right allowed to bounce in the box by a dozy Rangers backline before a Sima header allowed Bernardo to produce a hitch-kick style volley that seemed to travel at lightspeed past the helpless Jack Butland.
Furuhashi has now scored seven goals against Rangers in 2023.
Furuhashi has now scored seven goals against Rangers in 2023.
The back-and-forth to follow either side of the break demonstrated, in a microcosm, what proved the difference between the sides. A slack pass from Johnston allowed Cyriel Dessers in on Joe Hart offered a gift-wrapped opening for Rangers to restore parity after 38 minutes. Inexplicably, though, the Nigerian international sauntered his way into the Celtic box, seeming to have no clue when to fashion a scoring opportunity. That time was before Johnston was able to catch him up and nick the ball from his toes … Dessers and Maeda appearing in desperate competition for the worst first touch across the contest.
Even if Furuhashi hasn’t always shown the crispness in those departments this season that typified his first two seasons in the country, touch and technique, and the ability to embrace his moment with sheer breathtaking exquisiteness, will always be his allies. As was shown, with bells on, when in the 48th minute, he stepped to the side of Connor Goldson on the edge of the area, and wrapped his foot round the ball as if it were a hand slipping into a velveteen glove, to arc it into the only tiny space in the postage-stamp corner of Butland’s net that he couldn’t deliver a save.
The match-winning moment, not even Henrik Larsson fashioned so many of these against Rangers in such rapid order as has Furuhashi in 2023 … to spare his side defeat, win them a cup final, see them over the line in a title decider, and now ensure they have maintained daylight over their league challengers in two clashes this season. There seems nothing the 28-year-old can’t do when sharing a pitch with the Ibrox club.
The Greatest Opinion Reviser: Celtic’s win over Rangers was as therapeutic as month at Alpine sanitorium
Rodgers, board and new signings all healed by big win over Rangers
Andrew Smith
By Andrew Smith
Published 31st Dec 2023, 22:30 GMT
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/the-greatest-opinion-reviser-celtics-win-over-rangers-was-as-therapeutic-as-month-at-alpine-sanitorium-4462056
Comment
Many labels are attached to the duels that place Celtic and Rangers in each other’s sights.
In recent times, Scottish broadcast partner Sky have been promoting their sporting covering by heavily riffing on The Greatest Showman. The aftermath of Brendan Rodgers once more appearing able to sprinkle magic derby dust, and so inflict a first defeat at the Ibrox helm for Philippe Clement, should have their marketing department considering a twist for the clubs’ next affray in April. The events of Saturday afternoon at Celtic Park surely were proof positive that the fixture is The Greatest Opinion Reviser.
Whatever Rodgers’ over-ripe attempts to present a sense of disquiet over where he and his team could be headed this season as mere media fabrication – it was the fanbase where the real frothing was to be found – Celtic needed healing. The Northern Irishman’s standing needed healing among the more fretful, fractious elements of the support. In that sense, the 2-1 victory over their ancient adversaries, and a number of facets within that, proved as therapeutic as a month at an Alpine sanatorium.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 30: Celtic’s Liam Scales tackles Rangers’ Ross McCausland. he Irishman again stood up in another major occasion and says he is used to the demands required in them. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 30: Celtic’s Liam Scales tackles Rangers’ Ross McCausland. he Irishman again stood up in another major occasion and says he is used to the demands required in them. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)
Simply consider the alternative of a Rangers win. It would have been open season on all at Celtic, with blunderbuses absolutely laying waste. Rodgers, as the first Celtic manager in almost 30 years to lose three league games in a calendar month, would have been presented as a coach on the wane and having been robbed of his foremost power in this domain through suffering defeat in a first home derby. A result that would have bolstered the sense of his Belgian counterpart, who would have boasted a 17-game unbeaten run, as a man with Scottish football in his thrall. All before more mighty salvos would have been launched towards Celtic’s board for their slammed summer transfer activity.
Instead, the contributions to the vanquishing of Rangers made by no fewer than three players who arrived during that period suggests it could yet prove far from a near-total write off. Benfica loanee Paulo Bernardo, with his bustle as well as his bagging of the beezer opening goal, was crucial to the win. As was centre-half Maik Narowcki, pressed into action for his first senior minutes in four months after Stephen Welsh was lost to a shoulder injury approaching the interval. Wingfer Luis Palma was quiet, but even if his form varies there have been few questions raised over his £3.5million signing from Aris owing to the Honduran’s notable impact in a number of previous games.
No-one needs tell Liam Scales that derby displays can entirely flip perceptions. A simply not-good-enough squad filler before being pitched in at Ibrox in September because injuries made him the last remaining option, in standing up that day, he has been able to stand tall ever since. ‘I’m getting used to it now,” said the 25-year-old Irishman. “I’ve had that experience of Champions League games and a couple of these derbies and there have been so many big games lately. It doesn’t take many to get a feel for what the big occasion is like and what it demands. It’s just a case of going out and doing the job you always do on the pitch.”
His 22-year-old Polish partner at the weekend can now follow a similar path, Scales feels. The unavailability of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Welsh ensures the pair will link up again for Tuesday’s Paisley assignment against St Mirren which represents their final encounter before the winter shutdown. As much of a must win as Rangers for Scales, who has every confidence that the test can be another the £4.3m signing from Legia Warsaw can come through. ‘When Maik came on [in the derby] he was outstanding,” he said. “I thought he was brilliant, winning every ball that came his way and playing passes 40 yards. Kyogo’s goal actually came from a pass that Maik played to break the lines. To be thrown in a situation like that and do so well is brilliant. Maik came in over the summer and did well then got his long term injury. That held him back, but he has been fit for a while now and he was patient waiting for his chance. I thought he really took it.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers celebrates with the fans after beating Rangers.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers celebrates with the fans after beating Rangers.
Scales and all within the Celtic set-up will be conscious that they have struggled to plunder chances against opponents who prioritise stopping them doing so. Stephen Robinson’s men, even as a team capable of exhibiting an attacking edge, won’t be averse to sitting deep. It is notable that while Celtic have notched back-to-back wins over a Rangers who go toe-to-toe with them, they have slipped up against such as Kilmarnock, Hearts, St Johnstone, Motherwell and Hibs as these teams have allowed the Scottish champions to play in front of them. But Scales considers that Celtic are a different proposition now following the soul-searching that came after the home loss to the Tynecastle men in mid-December straight after they had been beaten in Ayrshire. Reverses that have given way to three straight wins.
“The fans demand wins every week,” he said. “I think after those two games as players we said, ‘Right, we need to change something and change it fast because we can’t lose any more games’. That is what we did I suppose. The way we did it was by focusing on our football rather than anything else. After the Hearts game we looked to be more aggressive and have more speed in our play. That is what we have been trying to do. If we can play at a really fast tempo for 90 minutes we will eventually break teams down who are tough to break down. That has really been the main focus.”
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67809536
Celtic reasserted their authority at the top of the Scottish Premiership by ending rivals Rangers’ 16-game unbeaten run under manager Philippe Clement in a gripping Old Firm derby.
Paulo Bernardo smashed in a half volley before the break to give Brendan Rodgers’ side the lead at a boisterous Celtic Park full only of home fans, as a frenetic first half flew by.
Kyogo Furuhashi whipped in another beauty two minutes after the break to double the lead and continue his hot streak against Rangers, having now scored seven goals in 11 derbies.
Rangers played out the last 30 minutes with 10 men after Leon Balogun was dismissed for hauling down Daizen Maeda as he burst towards goal.
However, captain James Tavernier set up a tense finish with a sensational free-kick into the top corner on 88 minutes.
Eleven minutes of frantic injury time ensued, but Celtic held on to move eight points clear at the summit, although Rangers do have two games in hand with one round of games left before the winter break.
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Clement’s side came into this derby with momentum, having won the Viaplay Cup, reached the last 16 of the Europa League, and chipped into Celtic’s lead in the Premiership over the course of 16 games under the Belgian.
But once again they floundered against their greatest foes.
They will rue missed chances having been offered plenty of encouragement on the break by a makeshift Celtic backline.
The maligned Cyriel Dessers pounced on a mistake but took an age to set himself up for a shot and wasted a golden opportunity in the first half.
Todd Cantwell and Ross McCausland both tested Joe Hart in the Celtic goal, and also chose the wrong option in the final third, as Celtic turned ragged after getting themselves in front.
Rangers also had a shout for a penalty when Alistair Johnston handled in the box while tussling with Abdallah Sima, but later replays showed Sima was offside in the build-up anyway.
But once again it was Celtic who found the required quality when it mattered in the derby, with Bernardo’s rocket and Kyogo’s curled finish from the edge of the box fit to win such an important game.
Tavernier’s late effort was typically brilliant as he bent the ball away from the despairing Hart from the left corner of the box, but all it ultimately achieved was making Celtic sweat for their win.
Player of the match – Paulo Bernardo (Celtic)
Celtic’s Paulo Bernardo celebrates after scoring to make it 1-0 Celtic during a Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park
The Portuguese midfielder scored a wonderful goal and got involved in the final third, while also getting stuck in and winning seven duels – a glimpse of his potential
Celtic serve timely reminder of quality – analysis
This was a critical – and thoroughly deserved – victory for Celtic.
The noise from the other side of the city was swelling after Clement’s impressive start at Ibrox, which coincided with unrest at Celtic Park over signings, a dispute with a section of the fans and poor recent results which had cut their lead.
But here they looked the more coherent team as, for the most part, they passed neatly through Rangers.
Bernardo put in his most impressive display since his loan switch from Benfica in what has been a troublesome position for Rodgers, with Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley certain starters in the other midfield berths.
They did look vulnerable for a spell in the first half after centre-back Stephen Welsh went off for Maik Nawrocki but, after a shaky start, the Polish defender composed himself, before the nervy end from the whole team.
This result will not determine who wins the league, but it is a timely reminder of the champions’ quality, especially as they welcomed back Reo Hatate and Liel Abada from long-term injuries.
Rangers will have plenty of regrets. Despite not getting on top of their rivals, they still created plenty of opportunities to score.
Dessers had the chance to transform his Rangers career in the first half and failed to take it. It summed up his start to life in Scotland – despite scoring nine goals.
Overall, though, there was a lack of style from the visitors. Clement has had to deal with a lot of injuries, little time on the training ground and a grim mood around Ibrox when he walked in.
He has been successful in managing that situation and narrowing the gap, instilling discipline and some steel in a side previously weak under Michael Beale. However, it’s clear he still has work to do to mould the team in his image.
The Belgian needs signings and time for that, and Rangers will not go away in the race for the title, but this was a reality check for his team.
What’s next?
Celtic travel to Paisley to face St Mirren in their final game before the winter break on 2 January (17:00 GMT) while Rangers host Kilmarnock (15:00).
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Match ends, Celtic 2, Rangers 1.
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Full Time
Second Half ends, Celtic 2, Rangers 1.
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Booking
Oh Hyeon-Gyu (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
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Booking
Connor Goldson (Rangers) is shown the yellow card.
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Booking
John Souttar (Rangers) is shown the yellow card.
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Post update
Foul by Oh Hyeon-Gyu (Celtic).
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Post update
John Souttar (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Oh Hyeon-Gyu (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Post update
Foul by John Souttar (Rangers).
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Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Matt O’Riley (Celtic).
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Post update
Foul by David Turnbull (Celtic).
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Post update
Dujon Sterling (Rangers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Offside, Celtic. David Turnbull is caught offside.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Kieran Dowell (Rangers) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Ross McCausland.
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Post update
Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Greg Taylor.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Liel Abada (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Oh Hyeon-Gyu.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Scott Wright (Rangers) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by James Tavernier with a cross.
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Post update
Foul by David Turnbull (Celtic).
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Post update
Connor Goldson (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Liam Scales (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Cyriel Dessers (Rangers).
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Goal!
Goal! Celtic 2, Rangers 1. James Tavernier (Rangers) from a free kick with a right footed shot to the top left corner.
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Booking
Maik Nawrocki (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Post update
Foul by Maik Nawrocki (Celtic).
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Post update
Cyriel Dessers (Rangers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Scott Wright (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Cyriel Dessers.
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Booking
Callum McGregor (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Post update
Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
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Post update
Ross McCausland (Rangers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Cyriel Dessers (Rangers) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
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Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Dujon Sterling (Rangers).
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Oh Hyeon-Gyu replaces Kyogo Furuhashi.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Liel Abada replaces Luis Palma.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Mikey Johnston replaces Daizen Maeda.
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Post update
Offside, Celtic. Kyogo Furuhashi is caught offside.
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Booking
David Turnbull (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Post update
Foul by David Turnbull (Celtic).
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Post update
Dujon Sterling (Rangers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Maik Nawrocki (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Scott Wright (Rangers).
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Substitution
Substitution, Rangers. John Souttar replaces John Lundstram.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Alistair Johnston with a cross.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by David Turnbull.
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Post update
Attempt saved. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Luis Palma.
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Post update
Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Ross McCausland (Rangers).
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Post update
Attempt missed. Luis Palma (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Callum McGregor from a direct free kick.
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Dismissal
Leon Balogun (Rangers) is shown the red card.
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Post update
Daizen Maeda (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Foul by Leon Balogun (Rangers).
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. David Turnbull replaces Paulo Bernardo.
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Substitution
Substitution, Rangers. Scott Wright replaces Abdallah Sima.
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Substitution
Substitution, Rangers. Kieran Dowell replaces Todd Cantwell.
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Post update
Offside, Rangers. Cyriel Dessers is caught offside.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. James Tavernier (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Abdallah Sima (Rangers).
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Post update
Foul by Alistair Johnston (Celtic).
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Post update
Abdallah Sima (Rangers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Foul by Paulo Bernardo (Celtic).
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Post update
Connor Goldson (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Callum McGregor (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Cyriel Dessers (Rangers) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by John Lundstram.
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Post update
Liam Scales (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Cyriel Dessers (Rangers).
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Booking
Dujon Sterling (Rangers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Post update
Paulo Bernardo (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Dujon Sterling (Rangers).
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Post update
Foul by Luis Palma (Celtic).
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Post update
Dujon Sterling (Rangers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Matt O’Riley (Celtic).
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Post update
Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
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Post update
Todd Cantwell (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Goal!
Goal! Celtic 2, Rangers 0. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Matt O’Riley.
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Post update
Luis Palma (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Post update
Foul by James Tavernier (Rangers).
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Second Half
Second Half begins Celtic 1, Rangers 0.
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Half Time
First Half ends, Celtic 1, Rangers 0.
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Post update
Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Cyriel Dessers (Rangers).
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Post update
Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
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Post update
Dujon Sterling (Rangers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Post update
Matt O’Riley (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Connor Goldson (Rangers).
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Post update
Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
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Post update
Ross McCausland (Rangers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Post update
Foul by Alistair Johnston (Celtic).
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Post update
Abdallah Sima (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Todd Cantwell (Rangers).
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Post update
Attempt saved. Ross McCausland (Rangers) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by John Lundstram.
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Booking
Matt O’Riley (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Post update
Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Maik Nawrocki.
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Post update
Liam Scales (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Cyriel Dessers (Rangers).
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Post update
Attempt saved. Todd Cantwell (Rangers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by James Tavernier.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Ross McCausland (Rangers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jack Butland.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Maik Nawrocki replaces Stephen Welsh because of an injury.
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Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Stephen Welsh (Celtic).
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by James Tavernier.
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Booking
Paulo Bernardo (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration.
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Goal!
Goal! Celtic 1, Rangers 0. Paulo Bernardo (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner following a corner.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Dujon Sterling.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Greg Taylor (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Luis Palma.
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Post update
Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Foul by Todd Cantwell (Rangers).
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Post update
Attempt missed. Paulo Bernardo (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Greg Taylor.
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Post update
Offside, Celtic. Daizen Maeda is caught offside.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Abdallah Sima (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Ross McCausland.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. John Lundstram (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Booking
Alistair Johnston (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Post update
Foul by Alistair Johnston (Celtic).
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Post update
Abdallah Sima (Rangers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Post update
Foul by Paulo Bernardo (Celtic).
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Post update
Dujon Sterling (Rangers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Todd Cantwell (Rangers) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Cyriel Dessers.
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Post update
Connor Goldson (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Paulo Bernardo (Celtic).
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Post update
Attempt missed. Paulo Bernardo (Celtic) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Luis Palma with a cross.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by James Tavernier.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Todd Cantwell (Rangers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Cyriel Dessers.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jack Butland.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Callum McGregor.
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Post update
Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
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Post update
Dujon Sterling (Rangers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Post update
Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
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Post update
Todd Cantwell (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Paulo Bernardo (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Post update
Foul by Connor Goldson (Rangers).
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Kick Off
First Half begins.
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Post update
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.