Hagi’s 25-yard strike gives the hosts the lead in the Old Firm derby – and Cerny hits the crossbar

Ianis Hagi scored his first Scottish Premiership goal of the season from 25 yards as Rangers took a seventh-minute lead against Celtic during a dominant start for the home side in their first Old Firm match of the calendar year.

With his father – former Ballon d’Or contender Gheorghe – watching at Ibrox, Romania international Hagi collected Nico Raskin’s pass and beat Kasper Schmeichel to give Philipp Clement’s side a brilliant start in the most famous match in Scottish football.

Ianis Hagi gives Rangers an early lead against Celtic! 🔵⚡️pic.twitter.com/WeqYvMn4JN

– Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 2, 2025

Former Rangers striker Billy Dodds said the strike came “out of nowhere”. “There wasn’t a lot of speed (in it), but there was a lot of precision, straight into the bottom corner,” Dodds told Sportsound. “What a start from Rangers – you’ve got this place rocking.”

Rangers vs Celtic

Celtic started the day 14 points clear of second-placed Rangers, but almost conceded their second goal 10 minutes later when Vaclav Cerny’s shot hit the crossbar.

Despite having less possession for most of the first half, the underdogs made 12 of the 15 attempts at goal between the sides in the first half and two of their three attempts were on target.

❌ Vaclav Cerny’s shot hits the crossbar as Rangers push for a second goal against Celtic! Watch the match 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗸𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄! 📺 pic.twitter.com/g65hC0eQkX

– Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) January 2, 2025

Ridvan Yilmaz sent a shot that hit the side netting in the 30th minute, and only an excellent and decisive intervention from Cameron Carter-Vickers succeeded in stopping Mehmet Diomandi from running directly on goal.

With no provision for visiting fans in the stadium, Celtic supporters were forced to wait until half-time for their players to test Rangers goalkeeper Liam Kelly, who made a fine save to stop Rio Hattat’s shot.

Kelly was standing in for Jack Butland after the former England international was taken to hospital with a leg injury on Tuesday, and there was a flashpoint between many of his teammates and their counterparts after the half-time whistle blew.

“So much for the season of goodwill! It’s time for old company again!”

Watch Rangers vs Celtic live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football from 2pm 📺pic.twitter.com/zzOAWPsfmz

– Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 2, 2025

Old Company: The top two teams in the Premier League meet

Visiting manager Brendan Rodgers has not been beaten by Scottish opponents since a shock 2-0 loss to Hearts in March 2024.

The Champions League rivals took 10 points from their four meetings with Rangers last season and won the match in the Scottish Cup final in May.

They also recorded a 3-0 win in their first Old Firm match of the season at Celtic Park in September, and prevailed in the Scottish League Cup final between the two sides on penalties on 15 December.

While Celtic have won 20 and drawn two of their 22 home games in 2024/25, winning the derby would be the highlight of Rangers’ campaign so far.

The 55-time champions dropped points in six of their first 18 league matches, also losing to Kilmarnock, Aberdeen and St Mirren.