Michael Beale secured his first Old Firm victory on the fifth attempt as intense and energetic Rangers overwhelmed Celtic to inflict just a second league defeat of the season on the Scottish Premiership champions.
Back-to-back Ange Postecoglou winners bounced off Govan after sealing a successive crown at Tynecastle last weekend.
But they were met by a loaded home side who ended Celtic’s remarkable unbeaten streak of 34 domestic games and ensured they could no longer break the club’s points record of 106.
The win ended a six-game winless streak for Rangers, who opened the scoring after just five minutes when Todd Cantwell drilled in for the rebound.
Celtic almost responded instantly as Oh Hyeon-gyu attempted an attempt on Robby McCrorie’s woodwork but the visitors were well below par and were down at the break when John Souttar scored his first goal Rangers.
Beale’s men maintained their level after the break and scored a deserved third goal when Fashion Sakala capitalized on poor defending to round Joe Hart and ensure the insurmountable gap between the clubs was reduced to 10 points.
Victory is ultimately too little, too late for Beale this season, but it was imperative that the Rangers manager and many of his players start next season knowing they are capable of getting the better of Postecoglou’s Celtic.
After three straight derby defeats, including the Viaplay Cup final in February and the Scottish Cup semi-final last month, the hosts started as a side with a point to prove.
And they got off to a perfect start when John Lundstram’s strike from the edge of the box was caught by Hart, with Cantwell – who was an inspiration throughout – chasing after the first time.
Barring a brief first-half spell in which Oh clipped the left post and Abada blocked a close-range shot, Rangers maintained their impressive energy levels throughout and had a cushion of two goals when Souttar thundered.
Cantwell was a constant threat to a Celtic defense that looked scrappy without Cameron Carter-Vickers, as January’s signing from Norwich forced Hart to make two fine saves at his forward post after the break.
But the former England keeper was not helped by a shaky back line, which was again at fault for Rangers’ third.
Carl Starfelt essentially played through Sakala to jump by Hart and roll into an empty net – a goal that told the tale of a day to forget for the newly crowned champions.
Player of the Match – Todd Cantwell
And after?
Both teams return to action next weekend as Celtic host St Mirren on Saturday (15:00 BST) before Rangers travel to Hibernian the following day (12:00).
More soon.
