Rangers 1 Celtic 0 LIVE REACTION: Gers take first Old Firm derby win of season as Helander scores header – updates

THAT’S ALL FROM IBROX

So in what most people predicted would be a high scoring game ended up being decided by a 66th minute header but that doesn’t tell the whole story.

Celtic controlled around two thirds of the possession in the first 45 but failed to create many clear cut chances.

However, the chance they did create fell to the man Ange Postecoglou would have wanted it to fall to in Odsonne Eduoard.

But the Frenchman fluffed his lines, missing an absolute sitter from about 5-yards-out.

Andthen, Ryan Kent had the chance to add to Celtic’s misery when his shot hit the outside of the post moments later.

The second 45 saw the Scottish Champions come flying out the blocks and although they never had more possession, Gary McAllister’s men were inflicting some serious pressure on that Celtic back-line.

Shot after shot, wave after wave of attack, the Hoops were in trouble.

And pressure eventually made diamonds thanks to a brilliant cross from Borna Barisic met by Filip Helander at the back-stick.

Rangers would go on to see out the victory with not much of a threat on their goal mouth apart from the odd shot by Japanese international Kyogo Furuhashi.

Thanks for tuning in this afternoon people and I hope you all have a fantastic Sunday.

COMING UP

And here are the next batch of games Ange Postecoglou was referring to in his post-match press conference.

Celtic welcome Ross County in the Scottish Premiership before travelling to Spain to take on Real Betis in the Europa League.

Then shortly after that follows games against Livingston, Raith Rovers and Dundee United.

ANGE’S AGONY

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has been through high’s and low’s in hist short managerial career in Scotland, but he these quotes sound like he is a man with a plan going forward.

It’s been a difficult month, we are throwing guys in at different times. As soon as the window ends, we’ll settle our squad down and start building for the next batch of games because we are willing to hit some form and start winning games.

Ange PostecoglouSkySports

NEXT UP

After the international break, the Scottish Champions travel to St. Johnstone and welcome Motherwell to the Ibrox Stadium in the Scottish Premiership.

But in between those fixtures, Steven Gerrard’s men have a blockbuster Europa League encounter against Lyon.

MOTM

Congratulations to Leon Balogun who was crowned Man of the Match in today’s old firm derby.

The Rangers defender done a lot of the dirty work and ran his socks off.

STAT ATTACK

And that victory for Rangers means that they have now extended their club record home League winning run to 21 matches and the Champions have kept 17 cleans sheets in that time.

In addition to that, it is the first time the Hoops have failed to beat Rangers on six consecutive occasions since January 1999 – March 2000.

Are Steven Gerrard’s men beginning to regain their status as the Kings of Scotland again?

FIL’S ON FIRE

Here is the goal which got the Scottish Champions over the line by Filip Helander.

GOOD OL’ GARY

Gary McAllister has stepped in for Steven Gerrard whilst he has been absent due to covid-19 and he has been doing an amazing job.

But the Scotsman was more delighted with, the players, the performance and the fans today rather than lapping up all the plaudits for himself.

It’s been a very strange three or four days, players playing with injuries today, no idea who was available right up to this morning, Covid and close contact protocols. But you have seen a club come together today and wow the fans were outstanding.

Gary McAllisterSkySports

UPDATED LEAGUE TABLE

So with that win, the Scottish Champions shoot up to third in the table and only a point off the league leaders.

As for Celtic, they stay in sixth and already find themselves playing catch-up four games into the season.

FULL 90 STATS

It was a real end-to-end match and there wasn’t much to separate the sides shown by the statistics.

But the all important figure is the one right at the top.

FULL TIME

Rangers strike first in the first old firm derby this season thanks to a header from Filip Helander.

PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!

THAT! IS! THAT!

NEW SEASON SAME OLD STORY!

THE CHAMPIONS TAKE FIRST BLOOD IN THE OLD FIRM DERBY!

FT: RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC

RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC

90+4. Filip Helander gets the ball clear and the 50,000 fans inside Ibrox go crazy because that should be it.

RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC

90+4. LAST MINUTE CORNER FOR CELTIC!

JOE HART HAS MADE HIS WAY INTO THE BOX!

RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC

90+2. SAKALA COULD HAVE SETTLED IT!

Steven Davis pinched the ball off of Callum McCgregor before slipping it through to the subsitute.

But Sakala couldn’t get enough power on his strike to unsettle Joe Hart.

RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC

90+1. Four minutes left for Celtic to snatch a point from this end-to-end encounter but they need to get the ball first.

The Champions are really showing their experience.

FOUR MINTES OF ADDITIONAL TIME!

RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC

88. An old firm legend is about to come on for Rangers to see out the game.

• Ryan Kent – OFF
• Scott Ardield – ON

RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC

85. UHHHHH WHY DID YOU PASS IT THIS TIME?!

Furuhashi went through on goal and instead of shooting like last time, he opted to pass it.

You just can’t write this.

RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC

84. WHAT A SAVE ROBBIE MCCORIE!

Kyogo Furuhashi found himself in acres of space on the right hand side of Rangers’ box and instead of squaring it to Ryan Christie, the Japanese striker decided to shoot.

But a big left boot from McCorie in between the Rangers sticks kept his side out in front.

I don’t blame him for shooting especially when you have nine goals in all competitions already.

However if Furuhashi decided to pass the ball across goal, it was a certain tap in.

RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC

83. Another attacking change in the offing made by Gary McAllister.

• Alfredo Morelos – OFF
• Fashion Sakala – ON

RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC

82. False alarm people, he Rangers forward just lost his footing on route to goal.

Initially it looked as if Starfelt pulled his shirt denying him of a goal scoring opportunity but the replays showed that it was a correct decision by the referee.

Well done Kevin Clancy.

RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC

81. DID MORELOS GET HIS SHIRT TUGGED?!

A MOMENT OF SUSPENSE!

RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC

80. The Hoops are beginning to control possession again but Rangers are just sitting back inviting the danger.

This could be a dangerous move from Gary McAllister’s boys.

RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC

76. With less than 15 minutes to go, Celtic need to dig deep if they are to get anything from this game.

A goal down, no fans, loss of momentum, it’s looking like a tough assignment to complete at the moment.

But you just never know.