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.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 36 minutes
Rangers have lost the intensity in their press, though a miscommunication between Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda prevents Celtic from making progress towards the visitors’ box.
But that’s a golden opportunity for Hatate! Maeda’s shot is blocked to Nicolas Kuhn, who finds a cutting pass to a free Hatate – but the midfielder skews his shot wide of the far post!
Harry Latham-Coyle1 September 2024 13:08
Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 32 minutes
Vaclav Cerny gives Daizen Maeda the hips, a salsa shimmy unable to shake his dance partner. Maeda’s been very diligent defensively so far, giving Greg Taylor a hand against Cerny.
Harry Latham-Coyle1 September 2024 13:04
Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 30 minutes
Daizen Maeda then flicks the corner across the face with no teammate at the far post to tap it in!
Harry Latham-Coyle1 September 2024 13:01
Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 29 minutes
Celtic are building pressure. More tidy football up the right sees Cameron Carter-Vickers heavily involved, the centre-back making a foray up the field. John Souttar turns a low cross behind.
Harry Latham-Coyle1 September 2024 13:00
Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 27 minutes
Cerny is forced into some defensive work as Celtic threaten again, the winger blocking behind. Rangers just seem to be losing their steam a bit after a strong start, though deal with the corner effectively.
Harry Latham-Coyle1 September 2024 12:58
Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 26 minutes
A fine run from Dujon Sterling earns Rangers a corner. Vaclav Cerny slopes over to take it, that lovely left foot of his hunting a teammate with an inswinger. Celtic manage to clear.
Harry Latham-Coyle1 September 2024 12:57
Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 24 minutes
A replacement is stripped and ready but it appears Rabbi Matondo is keen to continue after all.
Here’s how Daizen Maeda put Celtic ahead:
Harry Latham-Coyle1 September 2024 12:55
Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 23 minutes
A concern for Rangers. Rabbi Matondo is down for treatment and the scrambling of a substitute suggests his day may be done.
Harry Latham-Coyle1 September 2024 12:54
Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 21 minutes
Two more yellows shown. Mohamed Diomande and Alistair Johnston go into the book after a coming together.
And another – to the delight of the home fans, ex-Rangers midfielder Alex Rae, now one of Philippe Clement’s assistants, is cautioned after providing some unneccessary advice for the officials.
Harry Latham-Coyle1 September 2024 12:53
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
