Key occasions
Half-time studying:
Just a disgrace for Rangers that whilst they’ve risen to the instance within the giant fits this season, they are able to’t appear to stick constant in opposition to the so-called smaller groups. That’s why the highest of the Scottish Premiership desk seems like this.
Half-time: Rangers 1-0 Celtic
Rangers are heading in the right direction for his or her 3rd successive win within the Old Firm!
45 min: What a time to attain. Two mins added on prior to half-time.
GOAL! Rangers 1-0 Celtic (Dessers 44)
Not a couple of seconds after that Kelly save, Rangers spoil down the pitch and ranking! Cerny is on the middle of this transfer, to start with switching the play and later dummying the ball fantastically, as Diomande’s move reveals Dessers in Celtic’s penalty field. The Rangers striker takes a slightly, shrugs off Scales and well clips a left-footed end into the some distance nook! Great function!
43 min: Huge probability for Idah, who latches onto a thru ball, one-on-one with Kelly. There’s a hush across the stadium, Idah tries a dink however Kelly stands tall and makes an excellent save!
40 min: After a sprightly begin to the sport, there’s now no actual fluency from each side. Rangers have a few 1/2 probabilities as Souttar and Cerny head and shoot large, however each have been speculative efforts.
38 min: A spoil in play as Kelly is handled by way of the Rangers scientific team of workers after a heavy fall.
37 min: Barry Ferguson has been screaming at his left again, Jefte, over one thing. It turns out that the executive is sad with Jefte’s positioning, with Forrest playing a fruitful 1/2 for Celtic down that proper flank.
35 min: Set items do appear to be the perhaps street to a function, for each groups.
33 min: Carter-Vickers just about wins any other header to offer Celtic the lead, this time from a Celtic nook! The USA world beats Balogan on the close to submit however his bullet header is tipped over by way of Kelly! Good save.
31 min: Tavernier whips a sensational nook proper below the Celtic bar. Sinisalo is helplessly flapping however Carter-Vickers glances a super header away, with Souttar lurking.
29 min: Raskin and McGregor conflict once more in midfield because the latter clatters into the again of the Rangers guy. Another Celtic participant in all probability slightly fortunate to not be cautioned.
26 min: “Big let off for Celtic, who’ve been drawing 0-0 after 30 mins of their final two video games, and ended up successful 5-0 on each events,” emails Simon McMahon. “That’s not going to happen today, but you really must score against them when you’re on top. Though just scoring against them at any time would be good if you support Dundee United, who conceded five last week at home as Celtic clinched the title, and have also lost 3-0 and 2-0 to them this season. United haven’t beaten Celtic for over 10 years now, but at least we don’t have to play them again until next season, though, so every cloud …”
RANGERS GOAL DISALLOWED!
24 min: Celtic break out with one as Raskin, simply 5ft10in take into accout, rises absolute best between Scales and Ralston and crops a header previous Sinisalo from 8 yards out! But the Rangers guy is penalised for offside, he went only a millisecond too early because the move got here in. It stays 0-0!
22 min: Raskin and McGregor, Rangers’ and Celtic’s midfield generals, conflict in midfield. There are a couple of purses, a couple of selection phrases, prior to the referee steps in.
20 min: Jefte loses ownership and unexpectedly there’s a gaping hollow at the left-side of Rangers’ defence. Forrest canters ahead into the distance however his low move in opposition to Idah and Maeda is definitely intercepted by way of Souttar. Both Rangers centre-backs were busy (and very good) to this point.
18 min: Celtic’s Carter-Vickers is fortunate to break out with a blind move again his goalkeeper, with Sinisalo alert sufficient to spring ahead and beat the chasing Dessers to the ball.
16 min: Celtic have discovered their groove. In a slick transfer, Engels fires a very good low move to Maeda, who touches just about off for Idah. The Irishman reveals area across the penalty spot, shifts it onto his proper foot however Souttar is in a position to make a very important block!
14 min: Ralston has had a nervy get started at proper again for Celtic. Doesn’t seem at ease and is just about bullied off the ball by way of Dessers, just for the referee to blow for a comfortable free-kick.
12 min: This is a wonderful recreation. Both groups going at it and each units of enthusiasts are raucous.
10 min: Sinisalo two times introduced into motion within the Celtic function, to start with tipping over a shot from Cerny, that was once deflected and dangerous to loop below the bar. Latterly to disclaim Raskin’s header from the ensuing nook.
8 min: Celtic win the ball deep in Rangers territory and catch the hosts totally chilly. The guests have a three-on-two at the counter-attack and Idah handiest has to feed a very simple ball proper to Forrest for a blank run on function … however the Celtic striker undercooks the move and Balogan is in a position to make a last-ditch sliding take on! That was once a prison move, Forrest has his head in his fingers. He is aware of how giant a possibility that was once!
7 min: Rangers are taking part in rather a prime line and Idah has threatened on a couple of events to damage the offside lure. Another probing run forces a nook. Here come the Celtic cavalry from the again … and handiest a very good defensive header from Balogan on the close to submit clears the chance!
5 min: Ralston fortunate to break out with no reserving after past due problem on Bajrami.
3 min: Celtic have slightly had a kick. Rangers have began like a teach.
Rangers hit the bar!
1 min: Just 55 seconds into the tournament, Balogan rises totally unmarked from a Rangers nook and pops a bullet header onto the highest of the crossbar! He will have to have accomplished higher, there was once a key block from Raskin on Scales to create room for probability. Oooooo, that’s a large leave out, and proper in entrance of the travelling Celtic enthusiasts as smartly.
Peeeeeeeeeeep!
We are underway within the Old Firm.
The groups are out! Tina Turner’s Simply the Best performs out across the stadium, a track that the Celtic enthusiasts are all too willing to get in excited by.
Should say there was once no guard of honour for the brand new champions …
Celtic supervisor Brendan Rodgers speaks to the cameras:
We come right here in an excellent second, successful the league. But those are giant video games and you need to accomplish in them.
This is our satisfaction we’re taking part in for. We have let ourselves down a wee bit in those video games, although. There’s no excuses lately. We have our personal supporters again within the stadium, which is sensible. Rangers have confirmed in positive video games they’re superb. Coming to Ibrox is all the time a large problem. I’m having a look ahead to the duels.
Kuhn hasn’t skilled all week. He’s were given an actual soreness in his knee. He had a conflict final week in opposition to Dundee United.
Re the Celtic squad, it’s now not biggest bench so Brendan Rodgers doesn’t have numerous choices if the gameplan is going south.
Kuhn is a huge leave out and now not even named as an alternative. It’s unclear if he’s injured or one thing else apart. We’ll listen from Rodgers in a while, and he will have to transparent that up. It’s a large day for the veteran James Forrest.
A few pre-match pics at Ibrox. It’s a phenomenal day in Glasgow. Enter Sandman by way of Metallica blares across the stadium. It’s now not AC/DC, however it’ll do.
This is price a learn from final week, if you’re catching up at the state of play in Scotland.
Our Scottish soccer correspondent, Ewan Murray, is recently fielding Old Firm questions in a Q&A, over on our Matchday Live weblog.
Here’s slightly taster:
John W asks: how do Rangers shut the space on Celtic subsequent season and is it bringing again Steven Gerrard?
The Gerrard advice won’t move away and feels mutually helpful. Where else does he get a outstanding activity? And it is a supervisor with fresh enjoy of succeeding regionally at Rangers. Supporters would settle for him. The hole to Celtic stays an enormous one; Celtic’s off and on box place is streets forward of Rangers. The hole is closed by way of Rangers spending their cash in a wiser means. An approaching takeover by way of American buyers gives hope however Rangers want to dramatically enhance their determination making.
Team information!
Rangers: Kelly; Tavernier, Souttar, Balogun, Jefte; Barron, Diomande, Raskin; Cerny, Dessers, Bajrami.
Subs: Butland, Cortes, Nsiala, Kasanwirjo, Igamane, Hagi, McCausland, Rice, Danilo.
Celtic: Sinisalo; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Forrest, Idah, Maeda.
Subs: Bain, Trusty, Yang, McCowan, Schlupp, Nawrocki, Kenny, Bernardo, McArdle.
Preamble
Let’s now not get dressed this one up. Celtic are already showed as Scottish champions for the 55th time, Rangers can’t end anyplace however 2d. In the league desk then, there actually isn’t a lot hinging in this Old Firm Derby. But everyone knows this fixture manner slightly bit greater than that. It is up there as one of the most global’s nice rivalries, and seldom disappoints.
If Celtic are the solid juggernaut lurching ahead – claiming 21 of the final 26 home trophies in Scotland and nonetheless looking for the treble – then Rangers are nonetheless in a state of flux. Barry Ferguson’s deal as meantime supervisor handiest runs till the tip of the season. With the proposed takeover placing over the membership, there are lots of questions referring to budget, control, recruitment and path.
The potential new homeowners –American buyers, Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises Global Football Group – plus Rangers’ new incoming wearing director Kevin Thelwell visited the learning flooring this week. Ferguson spoke this week about his reinforce for the takeover, no matter that suggests for his activity.
It’s one thing the membership has been short of, outdoor funding,” he stated. “It appears to be like to me love it’s going alongside easily and we’re simply ready to get the thumbs up. It’s the beginning of a brand new technology for the membership and it unquestionably wishes it. Like everyone else, I’m simply having a look ahead to the day it will get signed off and confidently it’s a brighter long term for Rangers.
There must be numerous adjustments to take a look at and make this membership a hit once more, as it’s constructed on successful trophies. If I’m now not going to be right here, I’m enthusiastic about the chance of recent homeowners coming in and Kevin coming in. I’m pleased with the placement. It’s been a fantastic couple of months for me. A couple of americaand downs, however it’s given me a style for it. Of route I’d take it [the manager’s job]. If I don’t get it, I’m now not going to spit the dummy out. I’ll return to my [ambassadorial] position and reinforce the membership.
Rangers have received the final two derbies, together with an away win at Parkhead below Ferguson in March. This season is also chalked however the ones in blue will certainly be hoping that is the beginning of a brand new technology.
Kick-off: 12pm BST.