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The Scottish Football Thread

Rangers hammered Hearts to release their frustration after losing the Old Firm match. Celtic scored one few in what as always is two horse race.
 
<b>Celtic 4-0 Raith Rovers</b>

<I>Manager Ange Postecoglou criticised Celtic's work rate as they cruised past Raith Rovers into the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.</I>

Liam Scales' stunning strike gave the Glasgow side a first-half lead.

But Celtic were below par until Giorgos Giakoumakis and Daizen Maeda scoring in quick succession and Nir Bitton scored on the rebound from his late, saved penalty.

"I think the urgency wasn't quite there," Postecoglou told BBC Scotland.

"It's not about singling out individuals. We have an intent and ambition to be a certain kind of team, training is intense, so game-day we are intense no matter who starts."

There was further good news for Celtic with centre-half Christopher Jullien making his comeback after a 13-month injury lay-off.

Postecoglou's side will find out their opponents in the last eight on Monday following the tie between Peterhead and Dundee.

In their last three games, Celtic had been adept at taking the game to their opponents early on, with eight of their 10 goals being scored before half-time.

They set their stall out early against John McGlynn's Championship visitors, with Mikey Johnston and Bitton shooting over and Rea Hatate drilling a shot into the hands of goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald.

Scales broke Rovers' resistance when he opened up his left foot and cracked a shot in off a post.

Celtic were fortunate not to concede a penalty when a bouncing ball appeared to hit the arm of defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, but Rovers' appeals were dismissed by referee Steven McLean.

There were other nervous moments in Celtic's box as the Fifers committed men forward, but the visitors struggled to get a meaningful shot on target and goalkeeper Joe Hart was a virtual spectator.

Giakoumakis hit the crossbar, but it would not have counted with Johnston already flagged for offside.

Celtic had hit a lull before Jota's introduction gave them a lift, the winger creating a chance for Tom Rogic before he was instrumental in Giakoumakis making it 2-0.

The Greek striker timed his run to beat the offside trap and knocked in Jota's inch-perfect cross.

Soon, it was three when Maeda got to a corner. MacDonald made a great save initially but could only knock it off the Celtic man and back over the line.

A controversial penalty made it four when Sean Mackie was harshly penalised for handball. Bitton bundled it home after his first effort was saved by MacDonald, with the 4-0 scoreline a touch harsh on Rovers.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60276512
 
<b>Celtic 3-2 Dundee</b>

Giorgos Giakoumakis has "bags of presence", says Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou, after the striker's hat-trick sunk bottom club Dundee and sent his side three points clear at the Scottish Premiership summit.

Giakoumakis struck twice in quick succession after Danny Mullen's Dundee opener before scoring late on to snatch a huge win in the title race.

Ryan Sweeney levelled after the break for the visitors in Mark McGhee's first game in charge, but Celtic capitalised on Rangers' draw with Dundee United.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60364573
 
Celtic were outclassed by Bodo/Glimt as the slick Norwegian champions dumped the Scots out of the Europa Conference League 5-1 on aggregate.

Chasing a 3-1 first leg deficit, hopes of making the last 16 were extinguished after just nine minutes when Ola Solbakken swept home for the hosts.

And a startled Celtic were undone again as Hugo Vetlesen knocked in a second to compound a miserable night in Norway.

It could have been more with goalkeeper Joe Hart making two outstanding saves.

Bobo/Glimt's late goal in the first leg had handed Celtic a mountain to climb as they travelled to the Arctic Circle.
 
Rangers completed one of their greatest European triumphs after dumping German giants Borussia Dortmund out of the Europa League in an epic 10-goal tie.

As he did in last week's 4-2 first-leg win, James Tavernier opened the scoring from the spot to set Ibrox rocking.

But Jude Bellingham slotted his second goal of the tie before Donyell Malen gave Dortmund the lead on the night.

However, Tavernier's back-post finish restored Rangers' two-goal aggregate advantage, sealing a last-16 place.

The Scottish side were controversially denied a more comfortable end to the tie when Ryan Kent's goal was harshly disallowed after a VAR review.

But the Ibrox club withstood late pressure with a raucous home crowd behind them to book their place in the Europa League's last 16 for the third successive season, and the incredible performance and swashbuckling endeavour shown to down Dortmund will give Giovanni van Bronckhorst's men plenty of belief going into Friday's draw.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60456040
 
What an historic win for Rangers, amazing stuff.
 
In one season Celtic have been eliminated from the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League:uakmal How embarrassing is that!!:))):))):)))

Tell their fans the facts and you'll be bombarded with stories from 1967 when they won the European Cup. Their best days are behind them.
 
Celtic hit back to beat Rangers and go 6 clear

Celtic took a giant stride towards reclaiming the Scottish Premiership title after battling back to beat Rangers 2-1 at Ibrox and move six points clear of their rivals.

Aaron Ramsey's opener was cancelled out inside seven minutes by Tom Rogic's close-range strike, before the leaders took control when Cameron Carter-Vickers forced home after a free kick.

The second-half was delayed after broken glass was thrown on the pitch but when play eventually resumed, Rangers could not find a leveller.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side tried to fight their way back as they faced a potentially knockout blow in their title defence but were met with stiff resistance as Celtic clung to a vital victory, with Joe Hart only forced to make one key save.

Substitute Liel Abada also passed up two chances to seal it for the visitors, with Allan McGregor pulling off an incredible stop to deny the Israeli's second attempt.

With a six-point lead and a 16-goal advantage with six games to play, Ange Postecoglou's men are in a commanding position to win the league, even with one more derby to come at Celtic Park.

It marks Rangers' first domestic home defeat in more than two years, and was secured in gritty fashion in the second half when Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt were outstanding in heading clear repeated crosses into their box.

With Alfredo Morelos absent with injury, Kemar Roofe started up front for Rangers but he fired wide both of his side's best chance from inside the box.

Both sides also had penalty claims waved away in a match of relentless running, with players also struggling with cramp in the closing stages.

But it was Celtic who stood firm and claimed the vital three points, extending their unbeaten domestic run to 31 games.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60890355
 
<b>Celtic have won the Scottish Premiership title for the 10th time in 11 seasons after drawing with a gutsy Dundee United at Tannadice.</b>

Giorgos Giakoumakis' second-half header was cancelled out by a stunning Dylan Levitt goal, but a point is enough to reclaim the crown from Rangers, while United are set to clinch European football.

Having built an almost completely new Celtic side, manager Ange Postecoglou has reversed a 25-point deficit to Rangers from last term to claim the league at his first attempt.

It has been a remarkable turnaround for the club as they restored themselves to the top of Scottish football on the same ground where they meekly ceded their 10-in-a-row hopes a 14 months ago.

BBC
 
Celtic champions!

Regain their long held (and briefly lost) crown.
 
Giovanni van Bronckhorst: Rangers' Europa League final defeat 'will hurt a lot'


Rangers' Europa League final defeat on penalties "hurts a lot" says Giovanni van Bronckhorst, but the Ibrox manager says he could not have asked for more from his side.

Eintracht Frankfurt triumphed 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes in Seville, with Aaron Ramsey the only player to miss in the shootout after coming off the bench in extra time.

"With penalties it's a lottery - tonight we weren't on the good side," Van Bronckhorst said.

"I can't complain with everything my players gave today. If you play a lot of big finals you will have memories that last for ever when you win them, but when you lose it will hurt a lot. I lost a World Cup final.

"We have to move on. We have a big game on Saturday and next season we have to start all over again."

Rangers have the chance to end the season with some silverware as consolation, when they face Hearts at Hampden in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday.

It is a quick turnaround for the Ibrox side after the sapping heat of Seville, having played 65 games this season already.

"It's not going to be easy to get them ready because we are hurt and disappointed," the Rangers boss added.

"We did it a couple of times, to play with a short recovery - two days. We fly home tomorrow and we have only one day to prepare. It won't be easy but we will be ready for Saturday and [try to] end the season with a trophy."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61503259
 
<b>Andy Goram: Scotland and Rangers goalkeeping great dies aged 58</b>

Former Scotland and Rangers goalkeeper Andy Goram has died after "a short battle" with cancer at the age of 58.

Goram was capped 43 times for his country at football and four times at cricket - the only Scot to have played at the top level at both sports.

He helped Rangers win five Scottish Premier League titles, three Scottish Cups and two League Cups.

Goram was also on loan at Manchester United during the run-in as they won the Premier League title in 2000-01.

He was most recently goalkeeping coach with West of Scotland Football League club Cambuslang Rangers.

It was announced in April that Goram had been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, which affects the long tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach, and later revealed he been given six months to live.

He also disclosed that he had turned down chemotherapy as it would only extend his life by three months.

Many tributes have been made on social media from former clubs, team-mates and rivals to the man who became affectionately known simply as "The Goalie" after Rangers posted on Saturday that they were "deeply saddened" to announce his death.

Born in Bury of a Scottish father, Goram signed for Oldham Athletic, then in England's Second Division, after his release from West Bromwich Albion's youth set-up and went on to make 195 appearances.

Sir Alex Ferguson had already handed him his Scotland debut by the time he moved to Hibernian in 1987 and he would captain the Edinburgh side for many of his 138 appearances before being sold to Rangers for £1m four years later.

The high point of Goram's stay at Ibrox came in season 1992-93, when the Glasgow side narrowly missed out on reaching the Champions League final but won a fifth consecutive league title as they completed a domestic treble. He also received the Scottish Football Writers' Association and SPFA player of the year awards.

Internationally, he was part of the Scotland squad that played at the 1986 and 1990 World Cups and Euro 92 and 96, but he walked out on the squad before the 1998 finals because of head coach Craig Brown's preference at the time for long-time rival Jim Leighton.

After brief spells at Notts County and Sheffield United, Goram signed for Motherwell in January 1999, helping them finish fourth in the Scottish top flight the following year.

He played twice on loan at Old Trafford in Man United's title run-in before a spell with Coventry City and a return to Scotland with Queen of the South, helping the Dumfries side lift the Scottish Challenge Cup in 2002.

After retiring at the end of the 2003-04 campaign following a season-long spell at Elgin City, he turned to coaching, with Motherwell, Clyde, Hamilton Academical, BSC Glasgow, Dunfermline Athletic and Airdrieonians among the clubs whose goalkeepers he assisted.

As a left-handed batsman and right-arm medium-pace bowler, Goram played for a series of local-league clubs in England and Scotland before Rangers manager Walter Smith effectively ended his cricket career when he ordered him to concentrate on football.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61460438
 
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Alfredo Morelos marked his return with a goal as Rangers warmed up for their Champions League decider by beating Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.

Antonio Colak struck his first Rangers goal early in the second half as the hosts pierced Killie's resistance.

Colak then made way for Morelos, who returned after a five-month injury absence and netted from close range.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side attempt to overturn a 2-0 deficit against Union Saint-Gilloise on Tuesday.

Rangers make it two wins out of two in the league, while Kilmarnock are still looking for their first top-flight victory since winning promotion.

Rangers came out determined to improve upon Tuesday's defeat in Belgium and dominated possession and territory.

Malik Tillman burst through in the inside right channel only to have his shot blocked.

Tom Lawrence almost gave the hosts the lead with a dipping volley from long range that rattled the crossbar in-between two Scott Wright efforts that goalkeeper Sam Walker dealt with.

For Killie, Ash Taylor was afforded a rare sight of goal at a Fraser Murray free-kick but headed off target.

The visitors took encouragement from that into the second half and Murray squared for Rory McKenzie to flick the ball over.

The breakthrough arrived after 51 minutes when Colak found Lawrence then received the return to slide a shot across the bows of Walker into the net.

And Morelos was on hand when fellow substitute Rabbi Matondo's low ball across made it all the way to the back post awaiting a finish.
 
Dundee United slumped to the joint heaviest European defeat by a Scottish side as AZ Alkmaar marched into the Europa Conference League play-offs.

It equals 7-0 losses by Hibernian against Malmo in 2013 and Celtic to Barcelona three years later.

Leading 1-0 from the first leg, United conceded five in 23 first-half minutes.

Vangelis Pavlidis and Tijjani Reijnders both netted twice and Hakon Evjen also scored before Dani de Wit and Mayckel Lahdo added to the visitors' misery.

Head coach Jack Ross said "I would like to apologise to the travelling fans" after United surpassed their heaviest European defeat - a 5-0 second-leg thumping by Dinamo Moscow the last time they qualified 10 years ago.
 
Celtic ran riot at Rugby Park as they swatted Kilmarnock aside to continue their unbeaten start in the Scottish Premiership.

Kyogo Furuhashi netted an early opener before Jota's 30-yard screamer and Mortiz Jenz's acrobatic effort made it three by the break.

Carl Starfelt then scored his first Celtic goal with Georgios Giakoumakis' overhead kick completing the rout.

Celtic are now 35 games unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership.

Meanwhile, Kilmarnock are still looking for their first win back in the top flight.

Ange Postecoglou admitted he felt no need to change the side which ended up winning in Dingwall last weekend.

His decision was justified within seven minutes as Greg Taylor - looking increasingly comfortable as Celtic's first-choice left-back - slipped in Daizen Maeda. He cut back to the onrushing Kyogo, who finished a simple, straightforward move off the post.

Derek McInnes' plan of getting the first goal was out the window and the visitors piled the pressure on, determined to rack up a comfortable lead.

Jota got the second, firing spectacularly into the top corner from distance - although there was a question mark over Sam Walker and whether the Killie keeper could have done better.

There wasn't much he could do about the third though. Gathering a cleared corner, Callum McGregor fired the ball towards goal. It fell kindly to Jenz, who swivelled and hooked the ball over his shoulder to get his second Celtic goal in as many weeks.

It took the visitors longer to find their fourth, with Kilmarnock content to let the game fizzle out in the second half. That wasn't to be though, as Walker's save from a Celtic corner allowed Starfelt to prod home.

If there was debate about whether Jenz's goal was an overhead kick, there was none about Giakoumakis' effort. A crossed ball looped into the sky, the Greek striker watched it onto his foot and bicycle-kicked it through the legs of Walker for a classy fifth.
 
Josh Campbell swerved in a brilliant injury-time equaliser against nine-man Rangers as Hibernian halted the Ibrox side's 100% Scottish Premiership start.

Following straight reds for John Lundstram and substitute Alfredo Morelos after the break, the hosts' late siege finally paid off.

Martin Boyle had cancelled out James Tavernier's penalty opener, before Tom Lawrence's header restored the lead for Rangers, who now head to Eindhoven for their Champions League date with destiny against PSV.

While Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side have spilled league points for the first time this season after three straight wins, Hibs salvaged a dramatic draw for the second home game running.

Reaction & as it happened
The drudgery of much of the first half gave little hint of the fireworks to come. The opening goal on the cusp of the interval was a gift to Rangers, who looked flat following their energy-sapping 2-2 first-leg draw with PSV four days prior.

Neither side had mustered a shot on target until Rocky Bushiri inexplicably tugged the shirt of Antonio Colak as a Ryan Porteous passback rolled safely back to goalkeeper David Marshall.

Colak was getting nowhere the ball, and his dive was a touch theatrical, but Tavernier capitalised on Bushiri's folly by tucking the penalty beyond the grasp of Marshall into the far corner of the net.

Hibs' most noteworthy moment had been Lee Johnson making a double substitution before the half hour, with Ewan Henderson - on a booking - and Paul Hanlon sacrificed for Marijan Cabraja and Christian Doidge as Hibs switched from a back three to a four.

It would end up paying dramatic dividends as Campbell was freed from his makeshift wing-back role and deployed in his favoured midfield slot.

Hibs had managed just two touches in the Rangers box before half-time, but hauled themselves level in style.

Campbell's precise pass released Elie Youan, who left Tavernier trailing down the left before his cutback was deftly turned in by Boyle to crown the first start of his second Hibs spell.

Parity lasted just seven minutes though. Borna Barisic's cross was crying out for a taker and Lawrence met it flush on the forehead to restore Rangers' lead.

Referee Willie Collum then took centre stage, dismissing Lundstram for cynically catching Boyle on the ankle to halt a counter-attack. While that looked extremely harsh, Morelos could have few complaints for his 75th-minute straight red after swinging an arm into the face of Cabraja.

Hibs began to hammer away at the Rangers defence and Jon McLaughlin superbly foiled a near-post header from Lewis Miller before Bushiri's shot bounced agonisingly wide off a team-mate.

But as the clock ticked into the 93rd minute, Campbell coolly controlled on his chest 25 yards out and left McLaughlin helpless with an unerring finish.
 
'Blow' to lose Lawrence but Davis 'has the experience'

Celtic v Rangers (12:30)

Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst tells BBC Sportsound: "There are a lot of high stakes today. It's going to be really competitive but it's a game you need to enjoy as a player and manager.

"We're both attack-minded teams. I want my team to play our normal game."

On the inclusion of Steven Davis, and the absence of the injured Tom Lawrence, the Ibrox manager adds: "He's played these games before. He has the experience. We have many options with the squad we have, but not having Tom is a blow."
 
Celtic laid down an ominous marker in the Scottish Premiership title race as they dismantled rivals Rangers with a scintillating first-half display.

The defending champions were sharper all over the pitch, with Liel Abada forcing home following a quick throw-in, before a swift free-kick ended with Jota dinking over Jon McLaughlin.

Abada made it 3-0 before the break after Rangers once again switched off at a throw-in, before their horror was compounded by McLaughlin passing to David Turnbull, who added a fourth.

The emphatic victory moves Ange Postecoglou's team five points clear of Rangers at the top of the league after just six games, with both sides in Champions League action against Real Madrid and Ajax respectively in midweek.

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Rangers have sacked Giovanni van Bronckhorst as their manager.

The Dutchman has been relieved of his duties with the Gers falling behind rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premiership and enduring a nightmare Champions League campaign.

Simon Jordan senses Giovanni van Bronckhorst could be sacked at Rangers by January

Rangers are sitting nine points behind their bitter rivals having lost two and drawn one of their last five games.

They have been humiliated in Europe this term too, losing all six of their group games, which included a 7-1 thrashing by Liverpool.

With a break in domestic action for the World Cup, the club have now decided to make a change with Van Bronckhorst falling on his sword.

Van Bronckhorst, a former player at Ibrox, was appointed as Rangers manager a year ago after Steven Gerrard quit for Aston Villa.

In his first season, he led Rangers to the Europa League final and Scottish Cup glory but they failed to retain the Scottish Premiership title.

Rangers chairman Douglas Park said: “I want to thank Gio for the hard work he has put in over the last 12 months and, especially, the achievements of taking the club to the Europa League final and winning the Scottish Cup last season.

“Unfortunately, recent results have not met neither our nor Gio’s expectations, and we have taken this difficult decision today. Everyone at Rangers wishes Gio every success in the future.”

https://talksport.com/football/1251614/giovanni-van-bronckhorst-rangers-sack-manager-celtic/
 
<b>Michael Beale: Rangers appoint former assistant as manager as he leaves QPR</b>

Michael Beale has returned to Rangers as manager - leaving Queens Park Rangers after six months in charge of the English Championship club.

The 42-year-old Englishman, who has signed a deal until 2026, replaces the sacked Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

Londoner Beale had worked as a coach under Steven Gerrard when the Ibrox side won the Scottish title in 2020-21.

He followed Gerrard to Aston Villa in November 2021 before opting to become a manager in his own right.

"I am hugely proud, it is a wonderful, wonderful football club, it is an institution," Beale told the Rangers website.

"For everyone that works here it is a huge privilege, but to be the manager of this football club, that is extremely special. Some wonderful people have sat in this chair prior to me, and I am hugely proud to be the person sat here now.

"In the time since I left, I've had different experiences in the Premier League and then being a manager in the Championship. I feel more ready, more equipped to do the job, even more so than when I departed a year ago.

"I am here to win. That's the most important thing. But also to win with style, in a way that makes the fans excited."

Beale turned down an approach from Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers when QPR were top of the table in October. They currently lie seventh in England's second tier after five games without a win.

He takes over a Rangers side who dispensed with Van Bronckhorst's services only five months after the Dutchman led them to Scottish Cup triumph and the Europa League final.

They have won just twice in seven outings and trail reigning champions Celtic by nine points.

Having had spells with Charlton Athletic, Twente in the Netherlands and in the United States, Beale's playing career ended when he was just 21.

After investing in a futsal facility in London, he was involved with the Chelsea and Liverpool academies and also had a spell as assistant at Brazilian club Sao Paulo.

"I am pleased to welcome Michael back to Rangers," said sporting director Ross Wilson. "I know how excited he is about everything that comes with the prestige of being Rangers manager.

"Equally our players and staff at both the training ground and at Ibrox are looking forward to working with Michael. He has a clear plan and will get to work with the group straight away along with the technical and support staff."

QPR director of football Les Ferdinand added: "Naturally we are hugely disappointed to lose Mick.

"Our extensive research when we were looking for a new head coach highlighted him as being very much aligned with the direction we are moving in as a football club.

"The start to the season we have made, coupled with very attractive football being played, gave us cause for optimism as we looked to build on the previous three seasons.

"That optimism remains but there is no doubt it is a blow to lose Mick so soon into his tenure."

BBC Sport
 
What a soft goal to lose! Rangers 0 - 1 Celtic

C'mon Rangers!
 
What a goal Ryan Kent! Rangers 1 - 1 Celtic

Lets go the Gers!
 
Damn Rangers, a draw was not good enough here by conceding that late goal.

Fulltime: Rangers 2 - 2 Celtic
 
Kyogo Furuhashi's late equaliser denied Rangers a famous Old Firm comeback victory and preserved Celtic's nine-point lead in the Scottish Premiership.

Daizen Maeda collected a blind pass from Alfredo Morelos and fired the leaders ahead after five minutes.

But Ryan Kent brought Rangers level 100 seconds after the break and James Tavernier converted a penalty after Carl Starfelt fouled Fashion Sakala.

Kyogo's 88th-minute goal denied Michael Beale a dream Old Firm debut as boss.

The start and the finish were all Celtic but in between they had a kitchen sink thrown at them. Just when you thought they were beaten and that the league title race wasn't quite as done as we had thought, they grabbed an equaliser.

A dramatic moment. Perhaps a title-defining moment.

The visitors looked superior in the beginning, and it wasn't as if Rangers were not warned about Celtic's rapid starts in these games. Coming into this one, Ange Postecoglou's team had scored 10 league goals against Rangers with nine of them coming in the opening half and three of the nine in the early minutes.

Make that four. Morelos' day began with a reckless ball across his midfield to a space occupied by Maeda and Tavernier. Maeda won the ball, accelerated away from the full-back, ghosted past Connor Goldson and beat Allan McGregor with a lovely finish. It was a goal of ruthless quality.

A win and Celtic's lead would have stretched to 12 points. Rangers' hopes of making any kind of fight for the title were hanging by a thread at that moment.

In the 20 minutes that followed, Celtic were slick and Rangers were reeling. The home team looked anxious and vulnerable - Sakala really the only one with the right amount of edge - then Greg Taylor went off injured, Josip Juranovic appeared as an auxiliary left-back ahead of the benched Alexandro Bernabei and everything changed soon after.

Juranovic had a fine World Cup with Croatia and has a bronze medal to show for it. Here, playing out of position and getting a roasting from Sakala, all he had was a red face.

The first signs of a momentum shift came just before the half-hour mark when Joe Hart dallied in possession and got mugged by Morelos. Having charged down Hart's clearance, the striker played it to Glen Kamara who moved it on to Kent.

He had space and time and tried to cushion his finish into the corner of Hart's net rather getting out the bazooka and blasting it home, as he did it brilliantly later on. Hart recovered to make an excellent save, but Kent's pained expression told its own story.

Celtic now lost their composure. Time and again Postecoglou gesticulated at the wastefulness of his players. Slowly but surely Rangers were growing into the game. They should have been level when Morelos had a free header from a Tavernier corner but he failed to find the target.

Three minutes later, it was exactly the same story. Same type of corner from the same side of the pitch, taken by the same man and headed wide by the same striker, Morelos getting up ahead of Juranovic.

That was three big chances and no goals. Not many teams in Scotland can get away with such profligacy against Celtic, but this was not the free-flowing, tempo-setting Celtic we've seen so often. And it wasn't the vulnerable side of Rangers' personality we were seeing either.

It took Rangers 100 seconds of the new half to get the goal they deserved, Sakala heavily involved when beating Juranovic before playing it to Kent, who buried an absolute peach beyond Hart's reach.

Finishing has been Kent's bugbear for a long while. He had scored only once in 26 games before this one - one in 38 if you include last season - but his strike this time was pure and utterly unstoppable.

Ibrox was electrified - then Rangers scored again. Sakala went past Juranovic then went down in the box under a challenge from Starfelt. Referee John Beaton pointed to the spot and Tavernier banged it past Hart. In the relative blink of an eye, Rangers were ahead.

It was a sensational comeback from a team displaying a new-found steel under Beale. His counterpart, meanwhile, brought on the attacking cavalry to try to turn it around. Giorgos Giakoumakis, Liel Abada and Jota all appeared for the rescue mission.

All those front players left Celtic open in defence, of course, and a late counter-attack could have wrapped it up before time. Kent motored away and fed Malik Tillman, whose effort on goal was blocked by Cameron Carter-Vickers. That was a very big intervention, as it turned out.

Celtic have made an art form out of scoring late goals this season, but until Kyogo did it you really doubted them. They'd posed little or not threat up to that point. Rangers had looked comfortable in their lead. There was a couple of minutes left and the visitors looked a beaten side.

Wrong. Celtic had another go. Jota's cross pinged around the Rangers box, their defence suddenly muddled. When the ball broke free, Kyogo's eyes widened as it came it him. The striker, without an Old Firm goal to his name, smashed it in to silence Ibrox bar the pocket of delirious visitors tucked away in the corner.

It was a goal that sickened Rangers to their core. What do you have to do to beat this Celtic team? The gap remains nine points with a goal difference that effectively makes it 10. Despite their best efforts, the mountain Rangers are looking up at is as high as it ever was.

BBC
 
Gers in the end gave themselves way too much to do by conceding that silly first goal, what a weak moment that was.
 
Rangers returned to within nine points of Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic - but are "nowhere near" where they want to be - after recovering from a sluggish start to beat Dundee United.

The hosts impressed in the first half, but two goals in three minutes after the break quelled their hopes of moving out of the relegation play-off place.

Fashion Sakala burst into the box and lashed high past Mark Birighitti to put Rangers ahead after 54 minutes, before Malik Tillman doubled the lead after the goalkeeper had denied the Zambian.

That was enough to earn Rangers manager Michael Beale a fifth win in his six games in charge, while United remain 11th - behind Motherwell on goal difference - after a first defeat in four.

"That's the most pleased I've been after a match because I thought as the away team, we were never in danger," Beale said.

"At half-time we spoke about running off the ball more to disrupt, upping our focus and our quality. We did that and it became a very comfortable game."

— BBC Sport
 
Darvel produced arguably the biggest upset in 149 years of Scottish Cup history as the sixth-tier outfit defeated top-flight Aberdeen.

Jordan Kirkpatrick's first-half shot on the spin at Recreation Park deflected past Joe Lewis to put Darvel on course for a last-16 home tie with Falkirk.

Chris Truesdale made three great close-range saves from Aberdeen forwards Ryan Duncan and Luis Lopes.

But, remarkably, the West of Scotland Premier Division leaders held on.

The embarrassing exit - Aberdeen's seventh defeat in nine games - piles further pressure on Pittodrie manager Jim Goodwin.

BBC
 
Michael Beale maintained his impressive start as Rangers manager to cut the gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership to six points - but only after his side dug deep to overcome Ross County.

Malik Tillman nodded in late in the first half to break down a stubborn visiting defence before Jordan White's equaliser stunned Ibrox after the break.

But Rangers fortuitously regained the lead 10 minutes later when Borna Barisic's deflected free-kick left Ross Laidlaw flat-footed in the County goal.

Victory for reigning champions Celtic at St Johnstone on Sunday will restore their nine-point advantage, but it is now 12 matches in all competitions unbeaten for Beale.

Meanwhile, County, who are still searching for their first-ever victory over Rangers, remain embroiled in a relegation fight as they stay in 10th.
 
Malik Tillman showed why Rangers are desperate to keep him beyond the summer as the on-loan midfielder delivered Scottish Premiership victory over Dundee United.

After manager Michael Beale confirmed the club are in talks with Bayern Munich to activate the clause for a permanent deal, Tillman's goals either side of half-time at Ibrox were a timely reminder of his importance.

Rangers' 10th straight league win trims the gap to six points on leaders Celtic, who face Ross County on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Allan McGregor crowned his 500th Rangers appearance with a clean sheet and was seldom troubled by bottom club United whose winless league run now extends to 11 matches.

Jim Goodwin's side remain two points adrift of County, while third-bottom Kilmarnock now have a six-point cushion over United after beating Hearts.

BBC
 
Celtic look destined to retain the Scottish Premiership title after crushing Rangers' hopes with a thrilling 3-2 derby victory.

Kyogo Furuhashi netted either side of James Tavernier's sumptuous free-kick at a raucous Celtic Park devoid of away supporters, before Jota rolled in the hosts' third.

Tavernier headed his 100th Rangers goal to set up a nervy finale, with the Rangers captain nodding inches wide moments later, but Celtic held on to go 12 points clear with seven games left.

With their vastly superior goal difference, it means a maximum of three more wins will ensure Celtic retain the trophy, while Rangers manager Michael Beale is left to lick his wounds after suffering the first league defeat of his tenure.
 
Rangers: Michael Beale sacked as manager; Steven Davis takes interim charge

Michael Beale has been sacked as Rangers manager after Saturday's home defeat by Aberdeen left them seven points behind Celtic after seven games of the Scottish Premiership season.

It was the Ibrox side's third Scottish Premiership loss of the campaign and comes after a heavy Champions League play-off defeat by PSV Eindhoven.

Former midfielder Steven Davis has taken interim charge, supported by Alex Rae, and coaches Steven Smith, Brian Gilmour and Colin Stewart.

Beale, 43, left Queens Park Rangers in November to replace Giovanni van Bronckhorst and started with 13 wins out of 14 games but ultimately ended last season without a trophy.

Although his side won their opening Europa League group stage game against Real Betis, and have reached the semi-final of the Viaplay Cup, league defeats by Kilmarnock, Celtic and Aberdeen have proved costly.

"Results this season have fallen short of what everyone connected to Rangers would expect," read a club statement.

"Therefore, the decision was reached today to terminate the contract of the manager, as well as the contracts of coaches Neil Banfield, Damian Matthew, Harry Watling and Jack Ade.

"The Rangers board would like to put on record their thanks to Michael and his staff for their efforts since joining the club last November."


BBC
 
Hearts stunned the Scottish Premiership champions to secure a first away win over Celtic since 2009 and consign them successive league defeats.

Unmarked Lawrence Shankland headed Hearts in front from a corner and Stephen Kingsley's stunning free-kick doubled the lead before half-time.

Luis Palma had Celtic's best opportunity but was foiled by Kingsley's last-ditch block.

Leaders Celtic remain five points above Rangers, who have two games in hand, while Hearts, in third, move to within 11 points of the Ibrox team.

Brendan Rodgers' side had taken heavy criticism following last Sunday's loss at Kilmarnock but reversed that narrative with a stirring midweek Champions League group stage win over Feyenoord - the club's first at home in 10 years.

An early drive from Greg Taylor forced a save from Zander Clark but it was Hearts, beaten in their previous two games, who looked the more comfortable and silenced the home crowd with Shankland's early goal.

Cameron Carter-Vickers had been alert to prevent Kingsley's cross finding Alan Forrest but then Celtic switched off, with Shankland waiting at the back post to convert Jorge Grant's delivery from the left.

And, after Carter-Vickers had fouled Nathaniel Atkinson, set-piece specialist Kingsley lifted a superb shot over the wall and past Joe Hart. Celtic had been upset with the award of the free-kick.

Celtic were rattled and David Turnbull's powerful effort brought out the best in Clark, then Kingsley came to the visitors' rescue. Kyogo Furuhashi's cross deflected into Luis Palma's possession and his finish was blocked by the Hearts defender almost on the line.

Rodgers took action at the break with Daizen Maeda and Oh Hyeon-gyu added to attack in place of Mikey Johnston and David Turnbull while Anthony Ralston took over from right-back Alistair Johnston.

Palma almost found Kyogo with a lofted ball from deep, the Japan striker just unable to make contact for a tap-in.

That should have jolted Celtic into action but Clark was largely untroubled for the remainder of the match, due in no small part to Hearts' disciplined display.

A late header from Kyogo was off target and Maeda could not get a toe to Oh's low ball across as home fans headed for the exits.

Source: BBC
 

Rangers fans unable to attend Old Firm at Celtic over ticketing dispute​

There will be no Rangers supporters at the Old Firm match against Celtic at Parkhead on Saturday December 30, live on Sky Sports.

There were no away fans at the first derby fixture this season at Ibrox and likewise at the last two league games between Celtic and Rangers at the end of last season due to a ticketing dispute over fan safety.

Rangers say that despite winning a case put to an SPFL board sub-committee which agreed Celtic's stance of providing zero tickets to the club was unreasonable, an appropriate number couldn't be reached due to lack of evidence submitted by Celtic.

A Rangers statement read: "It is grossly unfair that if a club (in this case Celtic) fails to submit sufficient evidence as part of such proceedings, it effectively ties the hands of a sub-committee in being able to determine what a reasonable number of tickets should be; especially when the sub-committee agrees that the reasonable number cannot be zero.

"Conversely, if a club (in this case Rangers) complies fully and provides all necessary information in good faith, it can still be penalised.

"Rangers' position has always been clear. We want away fans from all clubs at our stadium and wish for that to be reciprocated when we travel to other clubs' grounds."

Source: SKY
 

Dundee 0-3 Celtic: Visitors put missed chances behind them to go five points clear at top of Scottish Premiership​

Celtic put a host of missed chances behind them as they sealed a 3-0 victory at Dundee to move five points clear of Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

The league leaders were wasteful at Dens Park as they created 19 first-half chances but only hit the target with two.

However, as the opportunities and corners continued to rack up, Celtic - who lost defender Cameron Carter-Vickers to injury early in the second half - finally broke the deadlock as Paulo Bernardo poked home from a tight angle in the 52nd minute.

Substitute Mikey Johnston then struck a late double (83, 90+1) all three points as Celtic opened up the gap to five points to rivals Rangers, who face Ross County at Ibrox on Wednesday evening, before the Old Firm derby on Saturday.

Source: SKY
 
Celtic 2-1 Rangers - MATCH REPORT

Celtic reasserted their authority at the top of the Scottish Premiership by ending rivals Rangers' 16-game unbeaten run under manager Philippe Clement in a gripping Old Firm derby.

Paulo Bernardo smashed in a half volley before the break to give Brendan Rodgers' side the lead at a boisterous Celtic Park full only of home fans, as a frenetic first half flew by.

Kyogo Furuhashi whipped in another beauty two minutes after the break to double the lead and continue his hot streak against Rangers, having now scored seven goals in 11 derbies.

Rangers played out the last 30 minutes with 10 men after Leon Balogun was dismissed for hauling down Daizen Maeda as he burst towards goal.

However, captain James Tavernier set up a tense finish with a sensational free-kick into the top corner on 88 minutes.

Eleven minutes of frantic injury time ensued but Celtic held on to move eight points clear at the summit, although Rangers do have two games in hand with one round of games left before the winter break.

Clement's side came into this derby with momentum, having won the Viaplay Cup, reached the last 16 of the Europa League and chipped into Celtic's lead in the Premiership over the course of 16 games under the Belgian.

But once again they floundered against their greatest foes.

They will rue missed chances having been offered plenty of encouragement on the break by a makeshift Celtic backline.

The maligned Cyriel Dessers pounced on a mistake but took an age to set himself up for a shot and wasted a golden opportunity in the first half.

Todd Cantwell and Ross McCausland both tested Joe Hart in the Celtic goal, and also chose the wrong option in the final third, as Celtic turned ragged after getting themselves in front.

Rangers also had a shout for a penalty when Alistair Johnston handled in the box while tussling with Abdallah Sima, but later replays showed Sima was offside in the build-up anyway.

But once again it was Celtic who found the required quality when it mattered in the derby, with Bernardo's rocket and Kyogo's curled finish from the edge of the box fit to win such an important game.

Tavernier's late effort was typically brilliant as he bent the ball away from the despairing Hart from the left corner of the box, but all it ultimately achieved was making Celtic sweat for their win.

Source: BBC
 
Celtic vs Rangers is always a great game to watch and this one wasn't any different.
 

Scotland: Craig Gordon, Lawrence Shankland, Kieran Tierney in 25-man squad as Euro 2024 countdown begins​

Craig Gordon, Lawrence Shankland and Kieran Tierney have been included in Scotland's squad for upcoming friendlies against the Netherlands and Northern Ireland, as the countdown to Euro 2024 begins.

After missing out from the group that were picked to face Norway and Georgia last November, captain Andy Robertson, goalkeeper Angus Gunn plus defenders Grant Hanley and John Souttar also return.

"It's good to get a few back," head coach Steve Clarke told Sky Sports News. "There's still three or four missing who I would have liked to be in the squad.

"The key thing for me is to make sure that come the start of May, I've got tough selections to make, everybody fit and available.

"There's one or two little niggles just now, but it's nice to have a lot of the boys back who missed out in November, and two good games to look forward to."

Gordon - who last played for Scotland in November 2022 - is back following his double leg break and would overtake David Weir as Scotland's oldest international if he plays, at 41.

He has played three Scottish Cup games for Hearts this year but will face competition from the current No 1 Gunn, who returns to the group, with club team-mate Zander Clark and Motherwell's Liam Kelly also selected.

"It gives us a chance to look at Craig up close," added Clarke. "Without being disrespectful to the opposition Hearts have played in the cup already, they probably weren't games where he was overworked. It'll be good to see him in training. Three of our four goalkeepers will go to the Euros, and that's the situation.

"I'll assess everything I've got. The make-up of the squad going into a tournament has other factors like squad stability and players who have been in the squad for a long time, so it's going to be a tough decision."

Fellow Hearts team-mate Shankland - who has scored 20 league goals in 29 appearances this season - has been rewarded with his spot in the squad, although he was drafted into the last group following Che Adams' injury.

Clarke has also been boosted with the return of fit-again Tierney - who last played for the national team in a friendly against England at Hampden Park in September 2023.

On being mindful of the fitness of some of his returning players, he said: "We always try to protect the players, if any clubs have issues they want to flag up, they normally do, and because these are friendly matches we can be a little more sympathetic.

"I'll pick the boys I want to pick, play them as long as I want to play them. We'll look after them."

While Robertson, Souttar and fellow defender Hanley return too, Bologna's Lewis Ferguson - who is wanted by Serie A giants Juventus and Napoli - keeps his place after impressing in Italy.

Scotland squad in full​

Goalkeepers: Zander Clark (Hearts), Craig Gordon (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Norwich), Liam Kelly (Motherwell)

Defenders: Liam Cooper (Leeds United), Grant Hanley (Norwich), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Scott McKenna (FC Copenhagen), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andrew Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Greg Taylor (Celtic), Kieran Tierney (Real Sociedad)

Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Brighton), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Manchester United)

Forwards: Che Adams (Southampton), Lyndon Dykes (Queens Park Rangers), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts)

Scotland's Euro 2024 warm-up matches​

March 22: Netherlands (a), friendly, kick-off 7.45pm

March 26: Northern Ireland (h), friendly, kick-off 7.45pm

June 3: Gibraltar (n), friendly, kick-off TBC

June 7: Finland (h), friendly, kick-off 7.45pm

Source: SKY
 
Rangers manager Philippe Clement has signed a contract extension until the summer of 2028

The 50-year-old Belgian joined the Ibrox club in October, winning the League Cup and finishing as runner-up in the Premiership and Scottish Cup.

"I have fallen in love with the club, with the fans, the stadium and with the city," Clement told the club website.

"I see huge potential and now we need to make the club better and stronger in every department, that is our goal, and we are all really aligned about that."

The new deal for the former Club Bruges and Monaco boss - announced on the eve of the first weekend of the Premiership season - adds another 12 months to the terms he agreed on arrival at Rangers.

Clement has been rebuilding his squad, with experienced players Connor Goldson, Ryan Jack, Borna Barisic, John Lundstram, Sam Lammers and Kemar Roofe among the summer departures.

"Philippe and I had a far-reaching conversation at the end of May," said Rangers chairman John Bennett.

"Our shared ambition was clear: the rebuild of the Rangers men's first team for the long term as well as short term.

"At that meeting we shook hands on this new contract and the board is delighted that the formalities have been concluded."

Rangers kick off their Premiership campaign away to Hearts on Saturday.

BBC Sport
 
Celtic sign Barcelona left-back Valle on loan

Celtic have signed Barcelona left-back Alex Valle on a season-long loan deal.

The 20-year-old, who came through the Spanish club's La Masia academy, was an unused substitute in Barcelona's first two La Liga matches.

He becomes the second fresh face to join Celtic this season alongside Kasper Schmeichel, while Adam Idah and Paulo Bernardo both completed moves after loan spells last term.

Celtic sold Matt O'Riley to Brighton this week and manager Brendan Rodgers has been clear more players would arrive before Friday's deadline.

Valle played 29 times in the Spanish second tier last season while on loan at Levante and will provide competition for Greg Taylor.

“His footballing style will complement our attacking play as well as giving us more options in our backline," said Rodgers.

"Alex has been brought up in a real high-quality footballing environment learning all the good habits and skills associated with any top team. He is a player with some tremendous attributes."

Valle says he is excited at the opportunity to play for an "historic club".

"They have given me a lot of confidence to come here, so I will try to do my best to return the confidence," the Spain youth international added.

“I’ve heard a lot about the fans and and what we can experience in this stadium, so I’m just excited to see it in real life.”

BBC
 
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