(Football news) The Old Firm  is one of the fiercest rivalries in world football between two of the most successful and popular clubs in Scotland: Celtic and Rangers. Between them, the two clubs have won 106 Scottish League Championships, 73 Scottish Cups and 47 Scottish League Cups. Celtic and Rangers have faced each other 427 times in major competitions, with Rangers winning 167 matches, Celtic 160 matches, and 100 ended in a draw. The latest match between the two sides at Celtic Park saw the hosts defeat Rangers 3-0 and move on top of the Scottish Premiership. 

Celtic started the match on a positive note and almost took the lead three minutes after kickoff when Greg Taylor had a shot on goal but the attempt was cleared. However, just a few minutes later, Reo Hatate found the breakthrough for the hosts when his right footed shot from the edge of the box found the back of the net in the 5th minute. Celtic could have scored more but a brilliant double save by Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor denied Jota and Giorgos Giakoumakis in the 15th minute. McGregor came to the rescue once again a few minutes later by denying Giakoumakis who looked to score from Liel Abada's cross. 

Rangers struggled to get a foothold in the game as Celtic had another opportunity in the 27th minute as Josip Juranovic crossed to Giakoumakis but the latter was denied once again by McGregor from six yards out. The visitors had a rare counter attacking opportunity but Amad Diallo overhit the pass to Ryan Kent and Hatate managed to clear the ball. In desperation, Kent attempted a shot on goal from 30 yards out but the effort was easily saved by Celtic keeper Joe Hart. However, Rangers almost scored an equaliser in the 41st minute after a lapse in concentration by the Celtic defence with Scott Arfield inches away from finding the back of the net.

Celtic had the perfect response and Hatate scored his second of the match, doubling his side’s advantage less than a minute later with a curling effort past McGregor. With the fans enjoying the spectacle, it was Abada’s turn to score before half-time with Hatate once again at the centre of the move, looping the cross in with the forward shooting the ball into the back of the net. It was clear that Rangers were completely outmatched for the hosts and Van Bronckhorst introduced Fashion Sakala Jr, Jack and Leon Balogun replacing Amad Diallo, Glen Kamara and Borna Barisic at half-time in an effort to salvage the situation. 

In the second half, Rangers managed to hold on to possession much more but didn’t create clear-cut opportunities. A half volley by Scott Arfield went over the crossbar in the 55th minute while Kent set up Cedric Itten but the striker couldn’t capitalise on the opportunity. The pace and intensity Celtic showed in the first half could not be replicated in the second but Japanese midfielder Hatate received a standing ovation by the home fans when he was substituted for James McCarthy in the 73rd minute. 

Frustrations grew for the Rangers players with captain James Tavernier and Balogun picking up yellow cards for challenges on Jota and James Forrest. With 10 minutes left to go, Rangers had the opportunity to score a consolation goal when Jack’s 30 yard shot hit the crossbar but didn’t go into the back of the net. Celtic also had the opportunity to score their fourth goal of the match through Matt O'Riley whose effort was tipped over the bar by Rangers goalkeeper McGregor who was arguably the best player for the visitors. 

In the post match interview, Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou said “We're not the finished article. We've changed the whole team. Guys have come in without having a bedding-in process. We've got some quality players unavailable at the moment. We're going to be stronger, we have to be stronger and we want to be stronger. That's the key for us. We want to be better. It's a sign of our progression. We lost three of our first six games. Everyone knows how the Scottish Premiership works. We couldn't afford not to get out of that quickly. We've been under pressure for a long time. The players haven't been focused on points or position in the table. Our focus is on playing our football, whether we are first won't matter."

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