Ianis Hagi scored his first Scottish Premiership goal of the season from 25 yards as Rangers took a seventh-minute lead against Celtic in a dominant start for the hosts in the first Old Firm match of the year civil.
As his father, former Ballon d’Or contender Gheorghe, looked on at Ibrox, Romanian international Hagi collected Nico Raskin’s pass and beat Kasper Schmeichel to give Philippe Clement’s side a sublime start for the most high-profile match in Scottish football.
Ianis Hagi gives Rangers an early lead against Celtic! 🔵⚡️pic.twitter.com/WeqYvMn4JN
– Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 2, 2025
Former Rangers striker Billy Dodds said the strike came “out of nowhere”. “There wasn’t much rhythm [on it]but there was a lot of precision, right down to the bottom corner,” Dodds told Sportsound. “What a start from Rangers – it rocked this place.”
Rangers vs Celtic
Celtic started the day 14 points clear of second-placed Rangers but almost conceded a second 10 minutes later when Vaclav Cerny’s shot deflected against the crossbar.
Despite having far less possession for much of the first half, the underdogs had produced 12 of 15 goal attempts between the teams by halftime and two of three shots on target.
❌ Vaclav Cerny’s shot deflects off the bar as Rangers push for a second against Celtic! Watch the 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗸𝘆 game! 📺 pic.twitter.com/g65hC0eQkX
– Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) January 2, 2025
Ridvan Yilmaz sent a shot against the side netting after 30 minutes and only an excellent, crucial tackle from Cameron Carter-Vickers then prevented Mohamed Diomande from having a direct run at goal.
With no allowance for away fans in the stadium, Celtic fans had to wait until the end of the half for their players to test Rangers goalkeeper Liam Kelly, who made a fine save to stop Reo Hatate’s volley.
Kelly was replacing Jack Butland after the former England international was taken to hospital with a leg injury on Tuesday, and there was a flashpoint involving several of his team-mates and their counterparts following the blow half-time whistle.
“Here’s to the season of goodwill!” It’s Old Firm time again!
Watch Rangers vs Celtic LIVE on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football from 2pm 📺pic.twitter.com/zzOAWPsfmz
– Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 2, 2025
Old Firm: the top two meet in the Premiership
Guest coach Brendan Rodgers had not suffered a defeat against Scottish opponents since a shock 2-0 defeat at Hearts in March 2024.
The Champions League contenders took 10 points from their four meetings with Rangers last season and won the Scottish Cup final in May.
They also claimed a 3-0 victory in the first Old Firm match of this season at Celtic Park in September and beat a Scottish League Cup final between the teams on penalties on December 15.
With Celtic having won 20 and drawing two of their 22 domestic matches in 2024/25, a derby victory would undoubtedly be the highlight of Rangers’ campaign so far.
The 55-time champions have dropped points in six of their opening 18 league matches, also losing to Kilmarnock, Aberdeen and St Mirren.
