Hagi’s 25-yard goal gives the hosts the lead in the Old Firm derby – and Cerny hits the crossbar
Ianis Hagi scored his first Scottish Premiership goal of the season from 25 yards as Rangers took the lead against Celtic in the seventh minute during a dominant start for the hosts in the Old Firm’s first game of the calendar year.
With his father – former Ballon d’Or candidate Gheorghe – watching on at Ibrox, Romania international Hagi collected Nic Raskin’s pass and beat Kasper Schmeichel to give Philippe Clement’s side a sublime start to the most prominent 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 striker Billy Dodds said the attack came “out of nowhere”. “There wasn’t much pace [on it]but he had a lot of accuracy, right into the bottom corner,” Dodds told Sportsound. “What a start from Rangers – rocked this place.”
Rangers v 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 off the crossbar.
Despite having significantly less possession for much of the first half, the underdogs produced 12 of 15 goal attempts between the sides by half-time and two of three attempts on goal.
❌ Vaclav Cerny’s shot is deflected onto the crossbar 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 fired a shot into the side netting after 30 minutes and Cameron Carter-Vickers later stopped Mohamed Diomande on a direct attack on goal with an excellent, key tackle.
With no away fans in the stadium, Celtic fans had to wait for the final action of the half for their players to test Rangers goalkeeper Liam Kelly, who made a good save to stop Reo Hatate’s volley.
Kelly stood in 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 colleagues after the half-time whistle.
“So much for a season of goodwill! It’s Old Firm time again!”
Watch Rangers v Celtic LIVE on Sky Sports and Sky Sports Football Main Event from 2pm 📺pic.twitter.com/zzOAWPsfmz
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 2, 2025
Old firm: Two of the best meet in the Premiership
Visiting manager Brendan Rodgers has not lost against Scottish opposition since a shock 2-0 loss to Hearts in March 2024.
The Champions League contenders took 10 points from their four meetings with Rangers last season and won the competition in the Scottish Cup final in May.
They also recorded a 3-0 victory in the first Old Firm game of the season at Celtic Park in September and won the Scottish League Cup final between the teams on penalties on 15 December.
Although Celtic have won 20 and drawn two of their 22 home matches in 2024/25, a derby win would be the undoubted highlight of Rangers’ campaign so far.
The 55-time champions have dropped points in six of their opening 18 league games, also losing to Kilmarnock, Aberdeen and St Mirren.
