A majestic, towering header from Filip Helander gave Rangers a stunning victory in today’s Old Firm clash at Ibrox, the first of the 2021/22 Scottish Premiership season.
The big Swede was a standout performer at the back throughout a memorable match and his goal on 66 minutes at the other end of the pitch again highlighted his quality as he rose to meet a Borna Barisic corner kick, his finish giving Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart no chance of stopping it.
The 1-0 win was certainly deserved for the champions and manager Steven Gerrard, who was self-isolating and not at the game this afternoon, must have been proud with what he witnessed from his players as they battled to claim three important league points.
The atmosphere in the stadium, as expected, was absolutely electric pre-match, with 49,402 Bears creating a stunning sea of red, white and blue and an incredible wall of sound as the teams emerged from the tunnel.
The big team news in the build-up to kick-off was that Robby McCrorie would make just his second competitive Rangers appearance between the posts, making this a huge day for the 23-year-old who handled the occasion admirably.
Leon Balogun, who was named man of the match, also slotted in at right -back with both James Tavernier and Nathan Patterson unavailable, and Ryan Kent and Kemar Roofe returned to the side, providing additional firepower in the attacking areas alongside Alfredo Morelos, who had the first chance of the game with just a minute and a half on the clock.
Roofe did well to skip past a Celtic player before playing the ball out wide to Barisic. The Croatian’s cross was met first time by Morelos but his left-foot volley flew inches over Hart’s crossbar in front of a bouncing Broomloan Stand.
With 20 minutes gone both teams had enjoyed spells of possession in a game being played at a frantic speed, but at this point neither McCrorie or Hart had really been tested.
Then, all of a sudden, Celtic broke forward with purpose and they should have opened the scoring. Ryan Christie found Kyogo Furuhashi in space on the left wing and his cut-back cross looked to be perfect for Odsonne Edouard who only had McCrorie to beat from six yards. It was a sitter but somehow the Frenchman skewed the ball wide.
Just after the half-hour mark it was Rangers’ turn to show their attacking threat. Morelos used his power to win possession of the ball from a Roofe cross and he teed up Kent who was 20 yards out. The winger’s low, curling effort clipped the outside of the post with Hart diving helplessly to his left.
As ever the first half was providing an entertaining, intriguing battle for football fans all over the world to enjoy. The only thing missing at the interval was a goal, with Celtic’s Christie blazing an effort over bar before Kevin Clancy’s whistle.
The Light Blues started the second period on the front foot as they attempted to break the deadlock and shift through the gears.
On 56 minutes a Barisic corner was met by Goldson but he could only head over. There was, however, a bit more urgency and speed now in Rangers’ play, especially in the final third. In the next attack, Kamara found himself in an advanced position on the left flank and he cut the ball inside to Kent who again tried his luck from distance but his shot lacked power, allowing Hart to make a straightforward save.
The big Englishman then watched closely as a Roofe effort, this time from around 30 yards, skimmed across his goal and wide of target.
Inside the stadium you felt a goal was coming and on 66 minutes it arrived. And what a moment it was! Yet another dangerous Barisic corner-kick was absolutely perfect for Helander who sent one of his trademark headers beyond Hart to send Ibrox absolutely wild.
Now, it was all about concentration and focus for the champions as Celtic looked to respond positively to going behind. The last 10 minutes, including four minutes of injury time, proved nervy for the home support with the visitors throwing men forward, with McCrorie producing a fine, instinctive save with his legs to deny Furuhashi and retain his side’s slender one-goal advantage.
Rangers, however, showed their grit and determination in the latter stages and every player on the park - including the second-half substitutes John Lundstram, Fashion Sakala and Scott Arfield - played their part in a terrific and hugely memorable derby win.
RANGERS: McCrorie, Balogun, Goldson, Helander, Barisic, Davis, Aribo, Kamara, Roofe (Lundstram 73), Kent (Arfield 88), Morelos (Sakala 83) SUBS: Wright, Hagi, Bacuna, Itten GOALS: Helander 66
CELTIC: Hart, Juranovic, Welsh, Starfelt, Ralston, McGregor, Turnbull (Rogic 67), Abada (Montgomery 85), Christie, Kyogo, Edouard (Soro 67) SUBS: Bain, Bitton, Ajeti, Urhoghide BOOKINGS: Turnbull, Edouard
REF: Kevin Clancy
A subscription to RangersTV starts from just £6 per month, and provides not only exclusive access to the club’s teams, but also original feature videos and documentaries, our incredibly popular Inside Ibrox and Away Days shows and our extensive archive of match action from through the years.
MyGers members will also be awarded 25 points for purchasing an annual standard subscription, and 40 for an annual unlimited subscription.