Rangers vs Celtic: Hoops all but quash Gers' Premiership title hopes in first Old Firm derby of 2023

Simon Borg

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Rangers vs Celtic: Hoops all but quash Gers' Premiership title hopes in first Old Firm derby of 2023 image

It'll probably take a miracle for Rangers to beat out Celtic for the 2022/23 Scottish Premiership title after top scorer Kyogo Furuhashi buried an 88th-minute equalizer to prevent a much-needed Rangers victory in the traditional year-opening Old Firm derby.

The 2-2 result allowed Celtic to maintain their nine-point lead atop the table with 18 matches remaining in the season. There are two more head-to-head matches that remain, but Celtic's form and sizable goal difference means they have the decided edge.

Visiting Celtic were off to a flying start with a goal by Daizen Maeda in the fifth minute, pouncing on a poor back pass by Rangers forward Alfredo Morelos.

A furious second-half response by Rangers flipped the result on its head with a spectacular Ryan Kent strike followed up by a James Tavernier penalty kick. 

But Celtic threw on several attacking substitutions in search of an equalizer and a few of them were involved in the 88th-minute play that was finished by a furious Furuhashi blast.

Rangers vs Celtic final score, result

  1H 2H Final
Rangers 0 2 2
Celtic 1 1 2

Goals: 
CEL — Daizen Maeda — 5th min.
RAN — Ryan Kent — 47th min.
RAN — James Tavernier (penalty) — 53rd min.
CEL — Kyogo Furuhashi — 88th min.

Rangers (4-3-3, right to left): McGregor (GK) — Tavernier (capt.), Goldson, Davies, Barisic — Tillman (85' Sands), Lundstram (71' Jack), Kamara — Fashion Sakala, Morelos (80' Wright), Kent

Subs not used (6): McLaughlin (GK), Colak, Roofe, Arfield, King, Devine.

Celtic (4-3-3, right to left): Hart (GK) — Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor (21' Juranovic) — O’Riley (61' Mooy), McGregor (capt.), Hatate (77' Giakoumakis) — Forrest (61' Abada), Kyogo, Maeda (77' Jota)

Subs not used (4): Bain (GK), Kobayashi, Bernabei, Abildgaard.

Rangers miss big opportunity vs. poor Celtic

Rangers faithful will ultimately see this result as a letdown despite the fact that many predicted Celtic to win comfortably.

When Celtic took the early lead with their trademark pressure and rapid movements it looked like game over early. But a Joe Hart error got Rangers back into the game and they grew in belief as the minutes went by.

Celtic could not impose themselves on the game as they've accustomed their supporters during their 12-match winning streak. Their passing wasn't sharp and there was little flow to their maneuvers. Matt O'Riley wasn't impactful in place of Aaron Mooy, and the selection of veteran James Forrest at right wing was questionable.

Celtic in driver's seat for Premiership title

Although Celtic came from behind in 2021/22 to beat Rangers to the Premiership title, it's difficult seeing the same thing happen this season.

Celtic were on a 12-match league winning streak before the 2-2 draw at Ibrox and there's no reason to believe they can't pick up that pace in the matches that remain. That's how much quality and depth they have in the side and they don't have any European distractions after missing out on the Europa League.

What Celtic also have going for them is the fact that they host Rangers in the April matchup before one final showdown still to be scheduled during the final phase of the league season.

Kyogo gets first goal vs Rangers

In the lead-up to the Old Firm derby match, Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou bristled at the suggestion that Japanese striker Kyogo Furuhashi has struggled in big matches for the club.

His equalizer against Rangers gave him a league-leading 15th in the league season. But Kyogo was questioned for his inability to deliver in the UEFA Champions League and in Old Firm matches although injuries also played a role.

He didn't get many chances in the match and he flubbed a first-half look, but he pounced on the loose ball with two minutes left in regulation and applied a no-doubt finisher's touch by blasting it into the back of the net amid the chaos in the Rangers box.

Carter-Vickers block proves play of the game

If Malik Tillman put away his shot in the Celtic box with six minutes remaining, it would have made it 3-1 for Rangers and all but assured a victory for the blue side of Glasgow.

But fellow U.S. international Cameron Carter-Vickers produced a sensational sliding block that thwarted the attempt and kept Celtic in with a shot to equalize.

Morelos lets Rangers down

Alfredo Morelos was not only at fault for the giveaway to Daizen Maeda — though James Tavernier had a chance to intervene and failed — but he also let his team down in front of goal.

The Colombian forward had three consecutive opportunities in which he failed to hit the target to end the first half on two corner kick headers and on another shot which he couldn't get on frame.

Match broadcasters pointed out how he wasn't looking the sharpest or leanest and Celtic left-back Greg Taylor apparently let Morelos know about it to his face:

No penalty on Goldson hand ball

Celtic supporters were up in arms about not receiving a second-half penalty for an apparent hand ball by Connor Goldson which was not whistled by referee John Beaton. The score was 2-1 at the time of the incident.

There's been plenty of debate about whether Goldson had the right to protect his face as the ball was coming his way, and whether the VAR should have insisted that Beaton review the incident at the monitor.

Surprise Celtic debut for Alistair Johnston

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou gave a surprise debut to Canadian international right-back Alistair Johnston, who was thrown into the fire in one of the fiercest rivalry matches in world football.

His post-World Cup £3 million ($3.6 million) move from Canadian side CF Montreal was a shrewd signing by the Hoops, and the defender showed a personality that should fit right in with Postecoglou's squad.

Johnston pushed forward, challenged hard, and made his voice heard with the referee and opposing players, showing he was unintimidated by the setting.

Ryan Kent stars for Rangers

It was evident from the start of the match that the 26-year-old was Rangers’ brightest player, and anything good they created usually flowed through the Englishman.

He danced on the ball, and he had ideas and an extra spring in his step. It was only fitting that the first Rangers strike and the best goal of the match was scored by Kent. But he disappeared after the goal.

Celtic injury leaves a mark

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou’s hand was forced early in the first half with left-back Greg Taylor going down to a hamstring injury.

It led to Croatia right-back Josip Juranovic filling in at left-back in his first appearance since returning from his star showing at the 2022 World Cup.

But he was never entirely comfortable in the position, and it showed especially in the second half when Rangers winger Fashion Sakala targeted him on several head-to-head battles.

Celtic can upgrade at goalkeeper

Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart has a reputation for costly mistakes in his career, and he had another against Rangers. It was arguably the play that turned the match.

Celtic had been cruising until the 28th minute when Hart’s delayed clearance inside his own box was intercepted by Alfredo Morelos. Although Hart then tipped the ensuing Ryan Kent shot off the post, the momentum of the match shifted. Rangers proceeded to close out the half strong and then came back to take the lead before 10 minutes were gone.

Malik Tillman fails to impress in big spot

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder got the start for Rangers in the hope he could provide an attacking impetus, but the U.S. international failed to make his mark on the game.

The Bayern Munich loanee was outplayed by the slick and skillful Reo Hatate in his sector of the field, and could have made better passing decisions and been more forceful in and around the box. The chance he failed to convert was more of a credit to Carter-Vickers than his failing.

Celtic fans boo moment of silence

A part of the Celtic supporter contingent in attendance, estimated at 700, didn’t cover themselves in glory when they booed during the pre-game minute of silence in remembrance of the 66 who died in a crush that occurred at Ibrox in 1971, 52 years ago on the day.

Rangers fans then responded in kind following the minute with loud boos for their Celtic counterparts.

Simon Borg

Simon Borg Photo

Simon Borg is a senior editor at The Sporting News who has covered football/soccer for over a decade. A supporter of Italian club Parma Calcio from his years growing up in Europe, he was previously a long-time member of Major League Soccer's digital media team, as a multimedia content producer, on-air personality, and Editor-in-Chief. Based in New York City, Borg is multilingual and has covered the domestic and global scene for TSN since 2021.