Rangers v Celtic live: Old Firm ends in dire goalless draw as misery at both clubs continues
Rangers 0-0 Celtic: Russell Martin’s side remain without a win in the league this season after a disappointing week on both sides of Glasgow
Rangers and Celtic played out a dire goalless draw in the first Old Firm of the season as Russell Martin was again booed off after his miserable start to the season continued.
Martin was backed by the Rangers board following Wednesday’s 6-0 defeat to Club Brugge in the Champions League play-offs and faced calls to be sacked from the club’s supporters before the arrival of Celtic
It had been a damaging week on the other side of Glasgow, too, after Celtic were stunned by FC Kairat and crashed out of the Champions League and there was a real lack of quality in the first goalless draw between the teams since 2017.
Celtic remain six points clear but Rangers perhaps missed a chance to earn their first win of the Premiership campaign in what was a fourth draw in a row. John Souttar had a first-half header ruled out for offside in a game lacking in any attacking spark.
Follow updates from Rangers v Celtic in the Old Firm, below:
Respite for Russell Martin despite dire Old Firm draw between Rangers and Celtic
Russell Martin was handed some much-needed respite as Rangers fought out a goalless draw against Celtic at Ibrox.
The Gers boss was under mounting pressure after a 6-0 defeat by Club Brugge in the Champions League play-off on Wednesday night which saw them exit 9-1 aggregate.
The ramifications of defeat against their oldest rivals could have been dire for Martin but his side were worth a point in a dreadful encounter, albeit they remain six points behind the Parkhead outfit after four Premiership fixtures.
Respite for Russell Martin despite dire Old Firm draw between Rangers and Celtic
FULL-TIME! Rangers 0-0 Celtic
An interesting xG stat for this game:
Rangers (0.16) 0-0 (0.17) Celtic.
FULL-TIME! Rangers 0-0 Celtic
Rangers’ next match comes against Hearts – who are currently second – on 13 September at Ibrox.
Celtic’s next match comes the next day, against Kilmarnock away.
FULL-TIME! Rangers 0-0 Celtic
It looks like Russell Martin was booed again as he walked down the Ibrox tunnel.
That result leaves his side sixth, with four draws from their opening four games.
Celtic are now top on goal difference, two goals to the good over Hearts, with both sides on 10 points.
FULL-TIME! Rangers 0-0 Celtic
A terrible game for the neutral and both sides will be disappointed with that, even though Rangers might be happy to get a point out of it.
Both sides were poor in the final third, with the best performances coming in defence and from Diomande in midfield.
Both sides will have problems this season, even if their quality relative to the rest of the league will likely shine through in the end.
A game to forget, and quickly, with a real – and potentially conceding – lack of quality from both.
FULL-TIME! Rangers 0-0 Celtic
The referee brings the match to an end and we have a drab 0-0 draw in the first Old Firm game of the season.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
90 +2 mins
The final minute and Butland launches it long, but once again Carter-Vickers heads clear. He’s another who’s been impressive today, along with Scales.
McCowan cushions a header back to his ‘keeper and that could be that.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
90 +1 mins
In truth, it doesn’t feel like we’ll get a goal here either. Both sides are still exchanging possession what seems like very 30 seconds.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
90 mins
Just three minutes of added time here as Diomande is deservedly announced as man of the match. He’s been everywhere for the hosts.
We could have the first Old Firm 0-0 draw since 2017 here!
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