SM
Sandefjord vs. Tromso: 7 hrs 50 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
RL
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 21
Dec 29, 2018 at 12.30pm UK
 
CL

1-0

Jack (30')
FT(HT: 1-0)

5 things we learned as Rangers finally beat Celtic in the league

:Headline: 5 things we learned as Rangers finally beat Celtic in the league: ID:345424: from db_amp
Ryan Jack scored the only goal of the game.

Ryan Jack's first-half strike gave Rangers a 1-0 win over Old Firm rivals Celtic at Ibrox to go level on points with the Ladbrokes Premiership leaders.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at five things we learned from the last fixture of the year for both clubs.

Title race is  on

Steven Gerrard got the better of Brendan Rodgers (Jeff Holmes/PA)

Rangers needed a title boost and they got it with a sterling performance against their bitter rivals. Defeat would have left the Light Blues trailing the Hoops by six points, with an inferior goal difference and having played a game more. However, the victory takes them level on points with the league leaders as Scottish football closes for the winter break. Both clubs will look to strengthen in the January window but Steven Gerrard's men appear set to challenge Celtic all the way this season.

Unlucky 13 for Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers suffered his first Old Firm defeat (Jeff Holmes/PA)

Celtic boss Rodgers went into the game unbeaten in 12 Old Firm fixtures since he took over at Parkhead in 2016, with 10 wins and two draws. His one previous fixture against his former Liverpool captain Gerrard earlier in the season ended in a 1-0 win, with Olivier Ntcham scoring for the Hoops. The Northern Irishman was looking to become the first Celtic manager since 1909 to register five successive wins at Ibrox. However, it was not to be. This time he had to suffer at the hands of by the Light Blues, who could have won by a bigger margin had it not been for Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

Rangers coped with absentees better

Neither side were at full strength. Gers were without Borna Barisic, Graham Dorrans, Jamie Murphy and Gareth McAuley. Rodgers was missing Leigh Griffiths and Tom Rogic, while Kieran Tierney was only fit enough to start on the bench following a hip injury. Rangers looked more up for the game and it was a strangely timid performance by the reigning champions.

Craig Gordon is still a Scotland threat to Allan McGregor

Craig Gordon produced an impressive display (Jeff Holmes/PA)

Scotland's top two goalkeepers were on show at Ibrox. The man in possession of the national team jersey, McGregor, had an unusually quiet afternoon apart from a good save to deny James Forrest in the first half. Gordon was by far the busier and a string of saves kept Celtic in the game right until the end. His performance will give encouragement to Scotland manager Alex McLeish as he prepares for the European Championship qualifiers next year.

Ticket traumas makes for unusual Old Firm atmosphere

Celtic were given just 750 tickets (Andrew Milligan/PA)

In order to maximise season-ticket sales, Rangers cut Celtic's allocation to a mere 750, down from the traditional 7,500 tickets. Celtic reciprocated and there was a similar-sized Gers support at Parkhead for the match in September. Once again there was an unusual atmosphere at an Old Firm game. Amid deafening noise at Ibrox as the Gerrard's side swept forward time and again, the away support in the corner could hardly be heard.

amp_article__345424 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2018-12-31 15:39:35:
html db last update - 2018-12-31 15:39:35 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Read more about Ryan Jack Football
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Aberdeen00000000
2Celtic00000000
3Dundee00000000
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd00000000
5Hearts00000000
6Hibernian00000000
7Kilmarnock00000000
8Motherwell00000000
9RangersRangers00000000
10Ross County00000000
11St Johnstone00000000
12St Mirren00000000
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .