Rangers vs Celtic: Hagi goal from 25 yards gives hosts lead in Old Firm derby

[ad_1] Ianis Hagi scored his first Scottish Premiership aim of the season from 25 yards as Rangers took a seventh-minute lead in opposition to Celtic throughout a dominant begin for the hosts within the first Outdated Agency sport of the calendar 12 months.

Together with his father – former Ballon d’Or contender Gheorghe – watching at Ibrox, Romania worldwide Hagi collected Nico Raskin’s go and beat Kasper Schmeichel to offer Philippe Clement’s aspect a elegant begin to probably the most high-profile sport in Scottish soccer.

Ianis Hagi provides Rangers an early lead in opposition to Celtic! 🔵⚡️pic.twitter.com/WeqYvMn4JN

— Sky Sports activities Soccer (@SkyFootball) January 2, 2025

Former Rangers ahead Billy Dodds stated the strike had come “from nowhere”. “There was not quite a lot of tempo [on it], nevertheless it had loads of precision, proper into the underside nook,” Dodds informed Sportsound. “What a begin from Rangers – it's got this place rocking.”

Rangers vs Celtic Celtic began the day 14 factors forward of second-placed Rangers however nearly conceded a second 10 minutes later when Vaclav Cerny’s shot was deflected in opposition to the crossbar.

Regardless of having considerably much less possession for a lot of the primary half, the underdogs had produced 12 of the 15 makes an attempt at aim between the perimeters by half-time and two of the three efforts heading in the right direction.

❌ Vaclav Cerny's shot is deflected onto the bar as Rangers push for a second in opposition to Celtic! Watch the match 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗸𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄! 📺 pic.twitter.com/g65hC0eQkX

— Sky Sports activities Scotland (@ScotlandSky) January 2, 2025

Ridvan Yilmaz despatched a shot in opposition to the aspect netting after half-hour and solely a wonderful, essential deal with by Cameron Carter-Vickers later stopped Mohamed Diomande from having a direct run on aim.

With no allocation for away followers within the stadium, Celtic supporters needed to wait till the closing motion of the half for his or her gamers to check Rangers goalkeeper Liam Kelly, who summoned a fantastic save to cease Reo Hatate’s volley.

Kelly was deputising for Jack Butland after the previous England worldwide was taken to hospital with a leg harm on Tuesday, and there was a flashpoint involving a number of of his team-mates and their counterparts after the half-time whistle blew.

"A lot for the season of goodwill! It's Outdated Agency time once more!"

Watch Rangers vs Celtic LIVE on Sky Sports activities Foremost Occasion and Sky Sports activities Soccer from 2pm 📺pic.twitter.com/zzOAWPsfmz

— Sky Sports activities Soccer (@SkyFootball) January 2, 2025

Outdated Agency: High two meet in Premiership Visiting supervisor Brendan Rodgers had not suffered defeat in opposition to Scottish opponents since a shock 2-0 loss at Hearts in March 2024.

The Champions League opponents took 10 factors from their 4 conferences with Rangers final season and gained the fixture within the Scottish Cup ultimate in Could.

In addition they earned a 3-0 win within the first Outdated Agency sport of this season at Celtic Park in September and edged a Scottish League Cup ultimate encounter between the groups on penalties on December 15.

Whereas Celtic had gained 20 and drawn two of their 22 home fixtures in 2024/25, a derby win can be the undoubted spotlight of Rangers’ marketing campaign thus far.