Celtic v Rangers live: Visitors complete stunning turnaround in Old Firm derby to close gap to Premiership leaders Hearts
Celtic 1-3 Rangers: Visitors came back from a goal down to hammer their rivals and pile more pressure on manager Wilfried Nancy
Rangers thrashed Celtic 3-1 in a breathless Old Firm derby at Celtic Park, moving just three points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts and level on points with their biggest rivals.
The result heaps yet more pressure on beleaguered manager Wilfried Nancy, who has now lost six of his first eight games in charge of the club. Initially though he looked on course for a morale-boosting win, with Celtic utterly dominant in the first half and unlucky not to be several goals ahead by half time.
A stunning 19th minute effort by Yang Hyun-Jun deservedly put the hosts ahead but Gers keeper Jack Butland kept his side in it with several big saves.
But it was a different story after the break as Rangers pushed from the outset, with Youssef Chermiti tapping in an easy equaliser before taking advantage of poor defending by Auston Trusty to sprint away and score a second.
A stunning turnaround was capped by Mikey Moore - who had an effort ruled out late in the first half for offside - beating Kasper Schmeichel with a low strike for Rangers’ third, with the visitors now unbeaten in five straight Old Firm derbies.
Follow all the action from Celtic v Rangers below.
Report: Rangers stun Celtic in Old Firm comeback win to leave Wilfried Nancy on brink
Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy is surely standing on the precipice after Old Firm rivals Rangers came from behind to win 3-1 at Parkhead.
Hoops fans had turned on the French coach after just two wins in seven games as boss and he had pleaded for time.
It looked like he was catching a break when South Korea international Yang Hyun-jun scored a terrific solo goal in the 20th minute of a William Hill Premiership game dominated by the home side.
However, in a remarkable second-half turnaround, Rangers' much-maligned £8m striker Youssef Chermiti scored twice in nine minutes before Mikey Moore added a third in the 71st minute to leave Celtic stunned.
Rangers stun Celtic in Old Firm comeback win to leave Wilfried Nancy on brink
'Always good to score in a derby' - Youssef Chermiti
Youssef Chermiti has a chat with Sky Sports too. He says: “It's always good to score in a derby. As I said pre-match, this is what I work for, what everyone works for. It's a very good feeling.”
He’s asked whether his performance today will give him confidence after a bit of scrutiny. He says: “That's normal in football [to have criticism]. This is what I work for. If you want to be a big player you have to play for the big clubs and big pressure.”
'Today is a statement win' - Jack Butland
Rangers keeper Jack Butland, who played a major part today, tells Sky Sports: “We had to weather a bit first half as you do when you come here. You can be up against it at times. We figured a few things out at half time but the effort, desire and performance in the second half was top. We deserved it in the end.
“They're a good side with good players. There were things that we got a bit exposed on but we stayed with it. The gaffer made a few changes and gave us a different perspective on ways to press them. It certainly worked.
“We can [get big wins] but until you do it, it's difficult for a new group. We've shown in difficult times this season an ability to bounce back, individually and collectively. Today is a statement win in that sense. Regardless of where we are in the league the games against your biggest rivals are important. Really positive to come here but also big weeks and big games to come.”
How the table looks
The two Glasgow giants are now equal on points and goal difference, with Celtic only marginally in front in the league table on the basis of a superior number of goals scored.
Rangers close gap to Hearts
The result means Rangers and Celtic are now level on points, 38 behind Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts, with Danny Rohl’s men closing the gap to their Old Firm rivals.
FULL-TIME! Celtic 1-3 Rangers
Big smiles on all the Rangers’ players faces. A good day for Youssef Chermiti, who’s had a fair bit of criticism but will be full of confidence now after two goals, and a good day for Mikey Moore too.
Not a good day for Wilfried Nancy, however. Rangers are now undefeated in five Old Firm derbies, and they head over to clap their fans.
FULL-TIME! Celtic 1-3 Rangers
‘90+5: Rangers have had three shots on target in this half, and three goals. Clinical stuff.
McGregor floats in a long ball, Butland leaps to it with ease and falls on it to kill some time.
That’s it! Boos ring out. Rohl gives Nancy a consolation pat, and the Frenchman walks straight down the tunnel.
Celtic 1-3 Rangers
‘90+4: A lot of empty seats here. Another bad outing for Celtic.
Araujo blasts away an attempt but slams it right into Butland!
Celtic 1-3 Rangers
‘90+3: Forrest lays off an attempt from just outside the box, but Fernandez hooks it clear... Araujo comes again, Celtic have numbers forward, Maeda now fancies a pop...
Rangers clear their lines but Engels crosses in again. Cleared once more. Last chance saloon for Celtic.
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