Ianis Hagi scored his first Scottish Premiership goal of the season from 25 yards as Rangers took a seventh-minute lead against Celtic during a dominant start for the hosts in the first Old Firm game of the calendar year.
With his father – former Ballon d’Or contender Gheorghe – watching at Ibrox, Romania international Hagi collected Nico Raskin’s pass and beat Kasper Schmeichel to give Philippe Clement’s side a sublime start to the most high-profile game in Scottish football.
Ianis Hagi gives Rangers an early lead against Celtic! 🔵⚡️pic.twitter.com/WeqYvMn4JN
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 2, 2025
Former Rangers forward Billy Dodds said the strike had come “from nowhere”. “There was not a lot of pace [on it], but it had plenty of precision, right into the bottom corner,” Dodds told Sportsound. “What a start from Rangers – it has got this place rocking.”
📰 Table Of Contents
Rangers vs Celtic
Celtic started the day 14 points ahead of second-placed Rangers but almost conceded a second 10 minutes later when Vaclav Cerny’s shot was deflected against the crossbar.
Despite having significantly less possession for much of the first half, the underdogs had produced 12 of the 15 attempts at goal between the sides by half-time and two of the three efforts on target.
❌ Vaclav Cerny's shot is deflected onto the bar as Rangers push for a second against Celtic! Watch the match 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗸𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄! 📺 pic.twitter.com/g65hC0eQkX
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) January 2, 2025
Ridvan Yilmaz sent a shot against the side netting after 30 minutes and only an excellent, crucial tackle by Cameron Carter-Vickers later stopped Mohamed Diomande from having a direct run on goal.
With no allocation for away fans in the stadium, Celtic supporters had to wait until the closing action of the half for their players to test Rangers goalkeeper Liam Kelly, who summoned a fine save to stop Reo Hatate’s volley.
Kelly was deputising for Jack Butland after the former England international was taken to hospital with a leg injury on Tuesday, and there was a flashpoint involving several of his team-mates and their counterparts after the half-time whistle blew.
"So much for the season of goodwill! It is Old Firm time again!"
Watch Rangers vs Celtic LIVE on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football from 2pm 📺pic.twitter.com/zzOAWPsfmz
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 2, 2025
Old Firm: Top two meet in Premiership
Visiting manager Brendan Rodgers had not suffered defeat against Scottish opponents since a shock 2-0 loss at Hearts in March 2024.
The Champions League competitors took 10 points from their four meetings with Rangers last season and won the fixture in the Scottish Cup final in May.
They also earned a 3-0 win in the first Old Firm game of this season at Celtic Park in September and edged a Scottish League Cup final encounter between the teams on penalties on December 15.
While Celtic had won 20 and drawn two of their 22 domestic fixtures in 2024/25, a derby win would be the undoubted highlight of Rangers’ campaign so far.
The 55-time champions dropped points in six of their opening 18 league games, also losing to Kilmarnock, Aberdeen and St Mirren.
