Rangers v Celtic dwell: Youssef Chermiti’s unimaginable overhead kick offers hosts lead in Old Firm derby
Rangers and Celtic know there is no room for further slip-ups as the Old Firm rivals clash at Ibrox while looking to close the gap on Hearts, the surprise Scottish Premiership leaders.
Hearts extended their advantage at the top of the table to seven points following yesterday’s victory over Aberdeen, leaving the two Glasgow rivals with little margin for error in this dramatic three-way title race.
Both dropped precious points last week as Celtic lost at home to Hibs and Rangers were held to a 2-2 draw by bottom club Livingston. Rangers are two points ahead of Celtic, who have a game in hand.
But time is running out for Martin O’Neill’s side to mount a fightback, as they travel to a Rangers side who are unbeaten at home domestically under Danny Rohl and won the last Old Firm 3-1 at Celtic Park at the turn of the year.
Follow latest updates from Rangers v Celtic in the Old Firm, below
Rangers 1-0 Celtic
18 mins: There’s been a bit more forward momentum from the Hoops.
They win themselves a corner through Kieran Tierney and Benjamin Nygren on the left side.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain whips the set piece into the box but Rangers deal with it well enough.
Rangers 1-0 Celtic
Chermiti’s strike was a genuine wonder goal and it has rightfully given Rangers the lead.
Can Celtic get themselves back into this match?
Rangers 1-0 Celtic
15 mins: Rommens is judged to have committed a foul over on Celtic’s right side.
There’s been around 45% of play happening in Celtic’s final third and they’ve relieved the be able to boot the ball forward.
Still, Rangers recover it and look forward once again.
Rangers 1-0 Celtic
12 mins: There’s little Celtic can do to weather this storm from Rangers.
They’ve shot out of the traps in this match and the Hoops are trying as best they can to settle things down.
The home crowd and insatiable and very loud. Incredible atmosphere.
That is unbelievable
That is unbelievable.
“Shades of Scott McTominay. Youssef Chermiti has done it again in a big game!
“An astonishing goal and start for Rangers, who began far sharper than Celtic.”
GOAL! Rangers 1-0 Celtic (Youssef Chermiti, 8′)
That is a spectacular goal!
Rangers have been pushing and pushing for this opener. They win the ball back high on the left wing and scurry it across to Dujon Sterling who slips a pass into the box for Andreas Skov Olsen.
From the right he hangs a cross into the middle where Youssef Chermiti leaps and nails an overhead kick right into the back of the net!
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
7 mins: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain dallies on the ball and loses possession.
Rangers sweep forward again and find Mikey Moore.
He lines up a shot from just outside the box and hits one only for Dane Murray to get his head on the effort.
Rangers press again and win themselves a corner.
From the set piece, Moore plays it short before receiving it back to cross from a better angle.
He flicks it over to Nicolas Raskin to backheels a shot at goal but is denied by Sinisalo!
Then the offside flag goes up against the Rangers forward.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
4 mins: Rangers from probe the left wing once with Chukwuani combining well with Mikey Moore and Tuur Rommens in a fluid move.
Moore looks to drill a low curling pass into the middle but the ball is intercepted and Celtic look to transition quickly into attack.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
1 min: Close!
Rangers turn over the ball and switch the play out to Tochi Chukwuani on the left side of the pitch.
He touches the ball into the box but is forced too wide to shoot.
Instead he lifts a cross into the box as Celtic scramble to get back but the pass is too close to the goalkeeper and Viljami Sinisalo plucks the ball out of the air.
Almost a rapid start from Rangers there.
