Rangers secured a second rousing victory in just four days as Hamza Igamane’s stunning late strike inflicted Celtic’s first Scottish Premiership home defeat since December 2023.

Barry Ferguson’s side stormed into a two-goal lead by half-time, with Nico Raskin glancing in a James Tavernier corner and Mohamed Diomande drilling a low shot into the net.

However, as the effects of their gruelling Europa League win over Fenerbahce began to show, title-chasing Celtic roared back. Daizen Maeda powered home a header before Reo Hatate coolly slotted past Jack Butland to level the match.

With momentum swinging towards the hosts, a frantic finale ensued. Yet it was Rangers who found the decisive moment, as Igamane pounced on an Alistair Johnston slip to unleash a thunderous strike, sealing his side’s first victory at Celtic Park since 2020.

The win moves Rangers to within 13 points of their Glasgow rivals, delaying Celtic’s potential title celebrations until after the Premiership split next month.

Rangers make a statement at Celtic Park

A relentless first-half display saw Rangers exploit Celtic’s defensive frailties, with the absence of captain Callum McGregor and centre-backs Auston Trusty and Liam Scales proving costly.

Maik Nawrocki, making his first start of the season, endured a tough introduction as the reshuffled defence conceded within four minutes. Raskin outmuscled Jeffrey Schlupp to nod in Tavernier’s corner, setting the tone for a dominant opening spell.

Diomande’s composed finish just before the break doubled Rangers’ advantage, and it could have been more had Kasper Schmeichel’s misplaced pass to Vaclav Cerny been punished.

Celtic needed a response, and they found one early in the second half. Maeda, deployed on the flank after Adam Idah’s introduction, rose above Tavernier to head in Jota’s cross.

A slick team move then saw Luke McCowan tee up Hatate, who dispatched a precise finish beyond Butland to bring Celtic level. At that stage, the reigning champions looked poised to complete the turnaround.

Yet Rangers had the final say, with Igamane’s spectacular winner capping a resilient performance that highlighted their growing confidence under Ferguson’s stewardship.

A turning point for Rangers?

This result marks Rangers’ second derby triumph in succession, following their January victory at Ibrox. More significantly, it represents a statement win on enemy turf after a series of struggles in the domestic campaign.

Despite the fatigue from Thursday’s European heroics, Rangers delivered a high-intensity, pressing game that unsettled Celtic early on. The ability to withstand the hosts’ comeback and still find the winning goal speaks volumes about the character instilled by Ferguson and his staff.

Celtic’s defensive woes prove costly

It was a game of two halves for Celtic. The first was marked by uncertainty at the back, with Schmeichel unusually hesitant and the makeshift defence struggling to contain Rangers’ attacking threat.

The second, however, saw a much-improved display as they took control and pushed for a winner. But lapses in concentration ultimately cost them, and they will rue not at least securing a draw.

Despite the setback, Celtic remain on course for the title, though they now face the rare sting of a derby defeat at home.

What they said

Rangers interim manager Barry Ferguson:

“We knew Celtic would come at us. At 2-2, I was thinking about everything me and my staff have been drilling into the players. At Rangers, you need character, and they showed that today.

“I always knew there was a good team here. They just needed belief, a bit more drive, and that’s what we’ve worked on. The players have responded brilliantly, and you’ve seen the results over the last 10 days.”

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers:

“When we got the second, we had the momentum. At that stage, we were in control, and the least we should have taken was a point.

“The three goals we conceded were poor from our perspective. Performance-wise, we need to be better both with and without the ball.

“We made too many mistakes and let ourselves be pressed too easily. That’s something we have to correct moving forward.”