Scottish Premiership champions-elect Celtic missed the opportunity to move one step closer to the title and set a new Old Firm record after losing 3-2 at home to bitter rivals Rangers on Sunday afternoon.
Celtic entered the much-anticipated contest unbeaten in their last eight home league matches against Rangers (W6 D2), winning each of their last five by an aggregate score of 14-4.
The Hoops were bidding to win six consecutive home Old Firm derbies in the league for the first time in their history, but they were denied the impressive feat as they came up short in a thrilling encounter with Rangers.
Barry Ferguson's side were in high spirits after progressing to the Europa League quarter-finals courtesy of a penalty-shootout win over Fenerbahce in midweek, and they needed just four minutes to open the scoring at Celtic Park.
Man of the Match Nicolas Raskin is not known for his aerial dominance, but the 5ft 10in midfielder ran towards the near post to head James Tavernier's curling corner into the far side of the net to put the Gers ahead.
Raskins was then involved in Rangers' second goal as he flicked on a header towards Mohamed Diomande, who had time to take a touch inside the area and slot a composed right-footed finish into the bottom corner.
Brendan Rodgers was seeking an immediate response from his players after the break and he got that, as Celtic pulled one back just three minutes and five seconds into the second half when top scorer Daizen Maeda headed home his 28th goal of the season after meeting a floated cross to the back post by Jota.
Roared on by the Celtic Park faithful, the Hoops pushed for an equaliser, and their persistence was eventually rewarded in the 74th minute when Reo Hatate burst into the box and stroked a first-time finish across goal and into the bottom corner.
The momentum was with Celtic and it looked as if they would be the team to claim the Glaswegian bragging rights, but the hosts were leaving a few gaps at the back and Rangers capitalised on that to snatch maximum points in dramatic fashion.
Igamane of the moment for Ferguson's Rangers
With 88 minutes on the clock, Alistair Johnston lost his footing and that allowed Hamza Igamane to drive forward before lashing a phenomenal strike into the top-right corner, beating Kasper Schmeichel all ends up to win it for Rangers and cap a memorable week.
Prior to Sunday's match, none of the last 10 Rangers managers to visit Celtic were able to win their first trip (D2 L8) since Walter Smith's Gers side secured a 2-0 victory back in August 1991.
However, Ferguson's first Old Firm in charge of the club was certainly a memorable one for the 47-year-old, who has now ended that 34-year steak and has also become the first Gers manager since Ally McCoist in September 2011 to win his first Old Firm derby (home or away) in any competition.
Ferguson: 'Rangers were immense'
Reacting to Rangers' memorable win, Ferguson told Sky Sports: "I am delighted, We were immense in the first half, it was everything I asked from them.
"Disappointed with the two goals (conceded). What's the big word that everyone has thrown against them, character? This was a prime example.
"They've been brilliant to work with over the last few weeks. You can see the signs, we're getting there. They are a top team but we've come here and dominated.
"Overall, we deserved it. I said to them, go and prove how much desire you have got. That's what it takes to play for Rangers. [Celtic] never really hurt us.
"[We took] a different approach, but I believe it is one that will bring a successful Rangers."
Victory for Rangers has not only condemned Celtic to their first home league loss since December 2023, the success has also moved the Gers to within 13 points of the Hoops, who now cannot clinch the title until after the Premiership splits next month. body check tags ::
