RANGERS were beaten 2-1 in this afternoon’s Old Firm match at Ibrox.
Despite grabbing an early lead through Aaron Ramsey, the visitors hit back with two first half goals to take the points.
Boss van Bronckhorst named four changes to his side for this afternoon’s Old Firm derby here at Ibrox -from the team which defeated Dundee a fortnight ago, in came Leon Balogun, Ryan Jack, Joe Aribo and Kemar Roofe.
They took the places of Fil Helander, James Sands, Scott Arfield and Alfredo Morelos.
That meant it was a back five of Allan McGregor in goal with captain James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Leon Balogun and Calvin Bassey in front of him.
John Lundstram and Aaron Ramsey joined Jack in midfield, with Aribo and Roofe partnering Ryan Kent in attack.
Gers were first on the attack, and a teasing free-kick delivery from Tavernier to the back post was just inches away from reaching Balogun, but that was to be just a taste of things to come as they hit the front after just three minutes.
Bassey put Kent in-behind Josip Juranovic down the left, and he crossed for the incoming Aaron Ramsey to net from close range for his second goal for the club to send Ibrox beyond wild.
All the possession and all of the play was coming from Rangers, but the first time the visitors crossed the halfway line, they equalised.
Gers had numerous opportunities to clear their lines, and eventually Tom Rogic bundled the ball home for 1-1 on seven minutes.
The Light Blues continues to make the play, and both Tavernier and Jack had efforts held by Joe Hart, while there was a half-shout for a penalty when Aribo tumbled in the box.
At the other end, Goldson made a remarkable block on the line to prevent Rogic netting another, while Georgios Giakoumakis headed wide at the back post on a Jota cross.
Then with three minutes to go to half-time, the visitors went in front. Gers didn’t deal with a free-kick delivery, and the ball broke to Cameron Carter-Vickers to bundle home.
Into the second half, and while the pace had dropped somewhat from a breathless first half, Rangers were still on top.
Kent had an effort sail over on the curl, while Gers had another shout for a penalty when a Jack cross came off the arm of Juranovic.
Lundstram then had a decent effort from distance that Hart held onto, before the goalkeeper made a fine stop low to his left from sub Fashion Jr.
McGregor was to make a stunning stop from Liel Abada to prevent it going 3-1, while Roofe fired over from close range when Goldson got to the byline to cross.
A Tavernier ball fell the way of Aribo to shoot straight at Hart, while Roofe also headed wide on the end of a Bassey cross into the area as Gers searched for the leveller.
But it wasn’t to be, and Gers now turn their attention to the Europa League quarter-final with Braga on Thursday night.
RANGERS: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Balogun, Bassey, Lundstram, Jack (Fashion Jr, 66) Ramsey (Arfield, 66), Aribo, Kent, Roofe.
SUBS: McLaughlin, Helander, Barisic, Davis, Kamara, Sands, Amad.
CELTIC: Hart, Taylor (Ralston, 71), Starfelt, Giakoumakis (Turnbull, 76), Jota (Abada, 76), Rogic (Bitton, 62) Carter-Vickers, Maeda, Hatate (O’Riley, 62), McGregor, Junranovic.
SUBS: Bain, McCarthy, Johnston, Ideguchi.
REFEREE: Willie Collum
ATTENDANCE: 50023