Sunday, December 22, 2024

Celtic v Rangers LIVE: Latest Scottish Premiership updates

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Rangers’ Connor Barron (left) and Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi battle for the ball (Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

Defending champions Celtic are hosting Rangers in the first Old Firm derby of the season at Celtic Park.

Celtic sit second in the Scottish Premiership table, having won all three matches so far this season, and are two points above Rangers ahead of their early clash. Rangers put in an impressive performance in their 6-0 win over Ross County last week, but an earlier draw to Hearts in their opening match leaves them three points adrift of current leaders Aberdeen.

Today’s meeting, while not deciding anything at this point in the calendar, gives both sides a chance to lay down a marker ahead of a long league campaign.

Celtic have won the last three titles and Brendan Rodgers is looking to extend that run while adding a good performance in the new format of the Champions League. Meanwhile Rangers, who last won the title in 2020/21, will be hoping to wrestle back the title while putting together a run in the Europa League.

Follow all the action from Old Firm derby below.

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Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 19 minutes

The first booking of the afternoon goes the way of Jefte, the Rangers left-back spun by Nicolas Kuhn rather easily and clipping his ankles.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 September 2024 12:50

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GOAL! CELTIC 1-0 Rangers (Daizen Maeda, 17 minutes)

It’s a brilliant goal. Celtic work a triangle up the right, Alistair Johnston giving and going, the right-back underlapping. Rabbi Matondo can’t stay with him and Johnston has just enough speed to keep the ball in play, hooking a searching cross into the box. It bounces beautifully for Daizen Maeda, who slots past Jack Butland.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 September 2024 12:47

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Celtic 0-0 Rangers, 14 minutes

A sigh of relief for Rangers, then, but it was concerning just how easily they were opened up there. It is a surprise that Philippe Clement’s side aren’t sitting slightly deeper, though they have looked threatening with the ball and forced a couple of errors in possession from Celtic.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 September 2024 12:45

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NO GOAL! Celtic 0-0 Rangers, 11 minutes

And Celtic make Rangers pay!

Scintillating football from the hosts. Rangers are caught short at the back after Celtic break between the lines, their midfielders caught too high up the pitch. Callum McGregor threads Nicolas Kuhn in, and Kyogo can’t miss as Kuhn squares it after charging into the box.

Hang on – it’s offside! Kuhn had gone too soon and VAR rules the opener out!

Harry Latham-Coyle1 September 2024 12:41

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Celtic 0-0 Rangers, 10 minutes

What a chance for Rabbi Matondo! Another delicious delivery from James Tavernier bends on to the head of the winger, but he can’t hit the target from five yards out!

Harry Latham-Coyle1 September 2024 12:41

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Celtic 0-0 Rangers, 8 minutes

A slightly damp stuface helps Daizen Maeda out, the Celtic forward able to keep the ball in as it snags just short of the sideline. Forward they pile to support Maeda, who moves infield and then uses the space out on the left. Greg Taylor fizzes a pass between Maeda and a couple of other colleagues in the box, Jefte hammering it away.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 September 2024 12:39

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Celtic 0-0 Rangers, 6 minutes

Rangers are looking good in possession in these preliminary skirmishes, unlocking Celtic’s press but unable to breach the back four.

Tame! Celtic give the ball away again after an untimely slip and James Tavernier finds Cyriel Dessers with an incisive pass. The striker’s feet are neat but his shot is timid, and Kasper Schmeichel scoops it up. The flag was up, anyway.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 September 2024 12:37

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Celtic 0-0 Rangers, 4 minutes

A first proper challenge of the match, Connor Barron sliding through the back of Kyogo. The midfielder escapes a booking.

Reo Hatate has Celtic’s opening effort soon after, dragging his shot from 30 yards some distance wide.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 September 2024 12:35

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Celtic 0-0 Rangers, 2 minutes

Celtic attempt to play out from the back but lose it to James Tavernier. The right-back then underlaps Cerny, who looks to lift a little lob wedge over the top for him – he thins it, sending it skipping out of play.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 September 2024 12:33

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Celtic 0-0 Rangers, 1 minute

An immediate opportunity for Rangers to test the Celtic defence, Vaclav Cerny standing up a free kick to the far post. A header back across is delivered with a bit too much oomph.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 September 2024 12:32

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