Kyogo Furuhashi edges vital Celtic win after 10-man Rangers refuse to lie down
Rangers #Rangers
The latest momentum shift in this Scottish Premiership season comes at an opportune time for Brendan Rodgers.
Rangers arrived at Celtic Park trailing their oldest foes by five points but holding two games in hand. They left disconsolate; Philippe Clement finally sampling defeat in his 17th match in charge. The further bad news for Clement is Celtic are likely to strengthen considerably in January. Celtic were not altogether convincing here and were given a fright by James Tavernier’s late free-kick. In this fixture, though, result is everything. Celtic simply had to find a way to halt a Rangers surge.
During an opening half in which Rangers performed pretty well, Paulo Bernardo eased Celtic nerves. The visitors failed to clear a Luis Palma corner, with Bernardo meeting the loose ball before lashing home. Rangers were later to feel aggrieved over the non award of a penalty for a handball by Alistair Johnston but television pictures appeared to show an offside in the lead up to the incident.
Leon Balogun of Rangers is shown a red card by referee Nick Walsh. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images
Celtic’s start to the second period involved their finest spell of the game. Kyogo Furuhashi shifted the ball on to his left foot before curling a wonderful finish beyond Jack Butland. Furuhashi has scored seven goals against Rangers in 2023. That appeared to be that, especially after the Rangers centre-back Leon Balogun was dismissed for hauling down the marauding Daizen Maeda.
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Rangers had other ideas. Tavernier’s set play, from 22 yards and an angle, was excellent. Eight minutes of additional time fuelled angst in the stands. Celtic held on to secure back-to-back Old Firm successes. This may well prove a hugely significant win in the context of the campaign.