Rangers Break Celtic’s Streak with a 3-0 Old Firm Victory
The atmosphere around Ibrox was electric as Rangers demolished Celtic 3-0 in the first Old Firm derby of 2025. It wasn’t just about bragging rights this time — Rangers put out a statement performance, shattering Celtic’s impressive domestic unbeaten record and rekindling their own title ambitions. Philippe Clement’s side, criticized in recent weeks for stumbling against St Mirren and Motherwell, came out swinging and never let up.
You could almost feel the tension snap in the seventh minute. Ianis Hagi picked his spot and ripped a precise shot past Celtic’s defense, getting the crowd roaring early. That goal set the tone for the match: Rangers pressing hard, pouring forward, and making life miserable for the visitors. The shot count tells the story — Rangers fired off 24 attempts, far and away their highest for any Scottish Premiership match in recent history. Celtic, on the other hand, barely troubled the Rangers goal, scraping together a woeful 0.07 expected goals all game long.
After the early goal, Rangers never really let their foot off the gas. Celtic’s defense looked stretched and uneasy, and it was only a matter of time before the pressure cracked them. The second goal came in the 66th minute after a quick scramble from a corner — Robin Propper was on hand to pounce on the rebound and double the lead. By that point, Celtic fans were already fearing the worst, and when Danilo scored with practically his first touch in the 81st minute, it sealed Celtic’s fate for the night.
Controversy Casts a Shadow as Police Investigate Incident
Amid the on-field drama, trouble flared off it as well. Celtic midfielder Arne Engels had to be checked by medical staff after being struck by a coin reportedly thrown from the Rangers section. Both clubs moved quickly to condemn the incident. The Rangers board were firm — they promised to assist Police Scotland as investigations continued. Celtic’s management said they’ve grown sick of their players and staff repeatedly being put at risk at these fixtures, calling this a “quite appalling” trend.
The incident did little to dampen the Rangers’ spirits, though. The celebrations were loud — for good reason. This win was their first Old Firm derby triumph since May 2023. It bought Clement some breathing room and eased growing pressure after those recent frustrating draws.
Despite the thumping defeat, Celtic remain top of the league, holding onto a healthy 11-point cushion after their 5-0 thrashing of Dundee United just days prior. But with Rangers showing this kind of form, the title race has suddenly got a lot more interesting again.
One thing’s for sure: there’s nothing quite like an Old Firm derby. From the wild swings, the drama on the turf, to the tension in the stands, the rivalry is as fierce as ever. For now, it’s Rangers who have the biggest bragging rights in Glasgow — and perhaps a little hope for the months ahead.
Ketan Shah
May 5, 2025 AT 20:23Seeing Rangers dismantle Celtic brings a reminder of how football can act as a cultural bridge, especially for fans back in India who follow the Old Firm with a mixture of awe and curiosity. The tactical discipline displayed by Clement’s side shows a side of Scottish football that many overseas viewers often miss, and it’s a lesson in how pressure can be turned into opportunity. While the atmosphere at Ibrox was electric, the underlying narrative of resilience resonates beyond Glasgow, reflecting a universal theme of underdogs rising. The coin‑throwing incident, however, tarnishes the celebration and reminds us that passion sometimes crosses the line into aggression. Overall, the match serves as a case study in both sporting excellence and the need for better crowd management.
Aryan Pawar
May 16, 2025 AT 22:23That win gives the Rangers fans a real boost its about time they got back on track keep the energy up
Shritam Mohanty
May 28, 2025 AT 00:23What we’re seeing here is a classic set‑up – the officials turned a blind eye to the coin incident while the police swagger around like they’re part of the show. There’s a hidden agenda to keep Celtic’s dominance in check, some backroom deal that tips the scales whenever the Old Firm goes too far. The flood of shots from Rangers wasn’t just skill, it was a coordinated effort to swamp the Celtic defense and force the narrative of a “break” in their streak. Don’t be fooled by the headlines; the real story is about who’s pulling the strings behind the scenes. It’s time we start asking why the media is quick to celebrate Rangers and silent on the violence that fans endure.
Anuj Panchal
June 8, 2025 AT 02:23From a tactical lattice perspective, the 3‑0 outcome illustrates a successful implementation of high‑pressing regimens and spatial compression within the final third. Clement’s schema leveraged verticality and overloads on the flanks, effectively nullifying Celtic’s low‑block configuration. The expected‑goals differential underscores a variance in probabilistic shot quality, which aligns with the probabilistic models forecasted pre‑match. In essence, the data‑driven approach manifested on the pitch, yielding a clear deviation from Celtic’s historical possession‑centric paradigm.
Prakashchander Bhatt
June 19, 2025 AT 04:23What a turnaround for the Rangers! It’s amazing to see a team bounce back after a couple of disappointing draws and fire on all cylinders. The fans deserve this kind of excitement and it adds a fresh spark to the title race. Let’s hope this momentum carries them through the rest of the season and maybe even inspires some underdog stories elsewhere.
Mala Strahle
June 30, 2025 AT 06:23Watching the Old Firm clash unfold is akin to witnessing a theatrical production where each act builds upon the last, delivering layered meaning that transcends the immediate result. The first goal, a precise strike from Ianis Hagi, set a tone not merely of aggression but of calculated intent, as if the Rangers had rehearsed that opening move in countless late‑night sessions. This early breakthrough invited a cascade of psychological pressure that seeped into the Celtic back line, causing them to retreat into a reactive posture rather than a proactive one. As the match progressed, the relentless volume of attempts-twenty‑four in total-served as a metric of dominance, a statistical echo of the team's commitment to offensive dynamism. The second goal, emerging from a chaotic corner scramble, highlighted the importance of opportunism, where preparation meets the serendipity of a deflected ball and a striker’s instinct. Danilo’s third, a clinical finish, underscored the depth of Rangers’ attacking options, illustrating that the threat did not emanate from a single source but from a well‑distributed network. Beyond the tactics, the match also reflected the cultural fabric of Glasgow, where football is not just a sport but a communal narrative woven into daily life. The coin‑throwing incident, however, cast a somber shadow, reminding us that passion can sometimes manifest in regrettable ways, prompting a broader conversation about fan conduct and safety. The police involvement, while necessary, also raises questions about the balance between maintaining order and preserving the spirited atmosphere that defines Old Firm encounters. Moreover, the reaction from both clubs-condemnations and promises of cooperation-demonstrates an awareness that these incidents affect more than just the players on the pitch. The ripple effect of this victory extends into the league standings, injecting uncertainty into what had seemed a predictable title chase. Rangers’ resurgence breathes life into the competition, compelling other clubs to reassess their strategies in a landscape now marked by heightened rivalry. For the supporters, both at Ibrox and beyond, the result adds a chapter to personal histories, a story retold at gatherings and online forums alike. In the grand tapestry of Scottish football, moments like these are the threads that bind generations, offering lessons in perseverance, unity, and the occasional folly of fervor. Ultimately, the match serves as a reminder that sport, in its purest form, is a mirror reflecting both our best ambitions and our most impulsive impulses, urging us to celebrate triumphs while learning from missteps.
shubham garg
July 11, 2025 AT 08:23Nice win for Rangers! Hope they keep this fire going.
LEO MOTTA ESCRITOR
July 22, 2025 AT 10:23The beauty of this game lies in its ability to reset narratives; a single victory can shift the whole mood of a city and inspire a collective optimism that goes beyond the stadium walls. It’s a reminder that hope is always just a goal away.
Sonia Singh
August 2, 2025 AT 12:23Wow the atmosphere must've been insane, love how the fans come together even after something messy happened.
Ashutosh Bilange
August 13, 2025 AT 14:23OMG the coin thing was like, straight outta a movie script bro the whole thing was so over the top i cant even
Kaushal Skngh
August 24, 2025 AT 16:23The match was solid but the coverage could’ve highlighted more on the tactical shifts rather than just the scoreline.
Harshit Gupta
September 4, 2025 AT 18:23It’s absurd that anyone would complain about the crowd when the Rangers finally proved they’re the true giants of Scottish football. The so‑called “violence” is just passionate loyalty, something the English leagues could learn from.