Celtic 2-1 Rangers: Brendan Rodgers' side reassert authority with derby win
- Published
Kyogo celebrates Old Firm victory with Celtic fans
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.
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)
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 some 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. Rangers will not go away in the race for the title but this was a reality check for his team.
What they said
‘People seem to think we’re in constant crisis mode’
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "I thought it was deserved, we scored two outstanding goals and had other opportunities and maybe didn't pick the right pass.
"The only downside for me was when they went down to 10 men. We didn't control the game enough and we invited pressure."
Rangers manager Philippe Clement: "It was a game that could have been a draw. It was a game that we could have won.
"We had more shots than Celtic in an away game and without any support. My team showed braveness on the ball and created chances. Celtic was more clinical in this and the second goal is world class."
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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).