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Exciting Old Firm Clash Kicks Off at Celtic Park
In an eagerly anticipated matchup, Celtic and Rangers faced off at Celtic Park, where the atmosphere buzzed with excitement as fans from both sides prepared for the fierce rivalry. This encounter, a staple of Scottish football, drew a significant crowd with around 2,400 Rangers supporters in attendance following a resolution on ticket allocations.
Match Overview
This fixture may not decide the league title, as Celtic currently sits 16 points clear of their rivals, but both teams bring their own narratives to the match. Celtic, led by Brendan Rodgers, seeks to solidify their status as a formidable force eyeing another domestic treble. Meanwhile, Rangers have derived momentum from their recent success in Europe, successfully advancing to the quarter-finals of the Europa League thanks to a heroic performance from goalkeeper Jack Butland against Fenerbahce.
Key Moments of the Match
4 min: A corner from Tavernier finds Raskin, who rises to head the ball past Schmeichel, marking an electrifying start for Rangers. The visiting fans erupt in celebration as Raskin opens the scoring for their side.
Quick Highlights
16 min: Rangers nearly capitalize on a mistake by Schmeichel. A misplaced pass puts Cerny in a position to extend the lead, but he opts to dribble instead of taking a shot, allowing Celtic to regroup and clear the danger.
15 min: The match becomes a bit disjointed, with play stalling compared to the initial fluidity seen in the first minutes.
12 min: Jota’s corner is met by Balogun, who manages to clear under pressure from Carter-Vickers.
9 min: Another opportunity for Celtic arises, with Butland making an impressive save from Hatate’s shot from just outside the penalty area.
6 min: Celtic finally shows urgency with a shot from Maeda, yet it goes wide, and the assistant referee’s flag raises for offside.
3 min: Schmeichel denies Rangers a goal with a stunning save, pushing Raskin’s powerful shot around the post to earn a corner.
1 min: The match begins with an early free-kick for Rangers, which leads to a corner, setting the tone for an open game.
Team News
Both teams made some alterations ahead of this clash. Celtic was missing their captain Callum McGregor due to injury, while defender Auston Trusty was also sidelined. Maik Nawrocki and Luke McCowan stepped into the lineup. Rangers made just one change from their last match with Ridvan Yilmaz coming in for Jefté.
Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Nawrocki, Schlupp, McCowan, Engels, Hatate, Jota, Kühn, Maeda
Subs: Sinisalo, Taylor, Idah, Yang, Kenny, Murray, Ralston, Bonnar, Turley
Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Souttar, Balogun, Ridvan, Sterling, Barron, Raskin, Diomande, Cerny, Dessers
Subs: Kelly, Pröpper, Lawrence, Bajrami, Nsiala, Igamane, Hagi, Rice, Danilo
Looking Ahead
As the match unfolded, the excitement did not just stem from the players on the pitch but also from the managerial duels, notably with Barry Ferguson—who faced this fixture as a player over 16 years ago—now at the helm for Rangers. He expressed the importance of player commitment and focus in navigating the pressures of such a significant clash.
With Celtic’s commanding league position, the stakes for Rangers remain high as they aim to assert themselves and perhaps reignite their season with a strong performance against their fiercest rivals.
The crowd and players alike are set for a thrilling encounter; the match surely delivers moments that will echo in the annals of this historic rivalry.
Source
www.theguardian.com