Rangers stun Celtic with 3-0 Old Firm derby win at Ibrox

Rangers have defeated Celtic 3-0 in the first Old Firm derby of 2025, outplaying the runaway league leaders in an action-packed match at Ibrox.

Ianis Hagi put the hosts ahead after just seven minutes and Robin Propper scored a second midway through the second half before Danilo came off the bench to score the third and ensure a win that cut the gap at the top to 11 points.

Manager Philippe Clement, who has been under pressure, saw a makeshift team excel despite numerous injury absences, while Brendan Rodgers watched his Celtic side put in an uncharacteristic lacklustre performance.

Celtic started brightly and won two corners in the opening few minutes but Rangers offered their support some encouragement with an attack that saw a series of shots blocked by the opposition defence before the ball went out of play.

That early warning for the Celtic defence wasn’t heeded and Rangers took the lead after just six minutes.

A misplaced pass from Liam Scales was seized upon and Nico Rakin, captaining Rangers in the absence of James Tavernier and Jack Butland, drove at the Celtic back line. With his shooting options closed off he played the ball off to Hagi, who put a low shot from the edge of the box through Cameron Carter-Vickers’ legs and past Kasper Schmeichel’s reach into the bottom corner of the net.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 02: Rangers' Ianis Hagi (R) scores to make it 1-0 during a William Hill Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium, on January 02, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) — GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 02: Rangers’ Ianis Hagi (R) scores to make it 1-0 during a William Hill Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium, on January 02, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) SNS Group

Rangers’ dream start could have gotten even better soon after when a Vaclav Cerny effort from distance deflected off Scales and struck the bar.

Most of the attention pre-match had been on Rangers’ recent struggles but it was Celtic who were the more error-prone and the hosts were quick to apply pressure whenever they could. Daizen Maeda attempted to get Celtic going, cutting in from the left and fizzing a shot wide. Cameron Carter-Vickers then drove forward in the hope of putting Rangers on the back foot as Celtic found it hard to create opportunities.

Rangers looked the more dangerous side and a break down the right allowed Yilmaz to try his luck but a powerful shot found the side netting.

Callum McGregor picked up a yellow card thwarting another break from the hosts and there was little fluidity about Celtic in midfield. Rangers were on top and had another big moment with seven minutes of the first half left.

Dujon Sterling did well to deny Nicolas Kuhn and within seconds Rangers were attacking at the other end, a pass slid into Mohamed Diomande and looking like a certain goal before Carter-Vickers slid in to win the ball.

Celtic had an opportunity right at the end of the first half, when Jefte caught Kuhn with a flailing arm and was booked after the Celtic man went down with blood pouring from his nose. The free-kick, almost at the corner flag, meant a chance for Celtic to get men forward and look for a first shot on target of the match.

Paulo Bernardo took the set piece but it wasn’t cleared properly and the Portuguese midfielder took the resulting corner. Reo Hatate met it with a powerful half-volley but Kelly was well-placed to block.

The half-time whistle came and as the players left the pitch Raskin was shown a yellow card after squaring up to McGregor.

Celtic started the second half with intent, playing Kyogo in twice in the first couple of minutes, though to no avail.

The Japanese forward thought he had brought his side level in the 52nd minute when he brought the ball under control and lifted it over Kelly and into the net, only to see the offside flag raised. A VAR check confirmed the call.

Rangers went close to doubling their lead just before the hour mark. Cerny was sent free on the right and he raced in on goal, sending a shot across Schmeichel only to see the ball bounce back off the far post and into the goalkeeper’s hands.

Brendan Rodgers looked to his bench to change the game, making a triple substitution as Adam Idah, Luke McCowan and Alex Valle replaced Kyogo, Greg Taylor and Bernardo.

Cerny was enjoying the space he was given on the right and he tested Schmeichel with another shot from distance that the keeper tipped out.

From the corner, Rangers scored again. Raskin was unchallenged when he put a header on target and when Idah blocked on the line, Robin Propper slid in to score and spark huge celebrations.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 02: Rangers' Robin Propper (L) celebrates making it 2-0 with his teammates during a William Hill Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium, on January 02, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) — GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 02: Rangers’ Robin Propper (L) celebrates making it 2-0 with his teammates during a William Hill Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium, on January 02, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) SNS Group

Yilmaz was next to test the Celtic keeper with a rasping effort and the hosts were enjoying the majority of possession in the Celtic half.

Rangers made sure of three points and bragging rights with ten minutes to go.

Danilo, who had just replaced Nedim Bajrami was perfectly placed when Jefte’s low cross was diverted into his path by Carter-Vickers. The Brazilian made no mistake with a controlled finish to make it 3-0.

There was an ugly moment in the final minutes when Arne Engels fell to the turf when preparing to take a corner, apparently struck by a coin, but the Celtic midfielder was able to play on.

Rangers remained the livelier side in the remaining time, with Celtic unable to offer much and the final whistle brought jubilation from the players in blue and the noisy Ibrox support.