Resurgent Rangers demolish Celtic in dominant Old Firm derby display
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Rangers brushed Celtic aside 3-0 in the latest Old Firm derby showdown at Ibrox to ease the pressure on manager Philippe Clement. The hosts defied a defensive injury crisis to begin 2025 with a statement victory over their well below-par rivals, with goals from Ianis Hagi, Robin Propper and Danilo securing just their second win against Celtic in the last 15 meetings across all competitions and first since another 3-0 success over Ange Postecoglou’s title winners under Michael Beale in May 2023.
It was also a first Old Firm derby triumph at the seventh attempt for Clement, whose position had come under serious scrutiny again after his side fell 14 points off the title pace with a disappointing end to 2024. Though Celtic remain firmly in pole position for a 13th Scottish Premiership title in the last 14 years with an 11-point cushion, it was a startlingly bad performance and result as Brendan Rodgers - who had previously lost only once in seven visits to Ibrox - tasted just his second Old Firm defeat in 21 derbies across two spells in charge.
Such a demoralising loss came after the Hoops had dominated all before them in a memorable 2024, winning three trophies and losing just twice in all competitions having defeated Rangers just 18 days ago on penalties after a thrilling and controversial 3-3 draw in the League Cup final at Hampden Park.
Rangers made six changes from their 2-2 draw with Motherwell on Sunday, plagued by a defensive injury crisis that saw captain James Tavernier sidelined along with Leon Balogun, John Souttar and Neraysho Kasanwirjo, and first-choice goalkeeper Jack Butland recovering after receiving hospital treatment this week for a “significant” internal bleed in his leg.
