Rangers vs Celtic. Scottish Premiership.
Ibrox StadiumAttendance50,116.
Monday 25 September 2017 15:25, UK
Goals from Tom Rogic and Leigh Griffiths helped Celtic to a 2-0 victory in the first Old Firm derby of the season.
Rogic (50) smashed in Celtic's opener shortly after the break, before Griffiths (65) slotted home just 15 minutes later on his 100th league appearance for the visitors as Rangers were condemned to another Old Firm defeat.
Pedro Caixinha's side - thrashed 5-1 by their fierce foes back in May - struggled to fashion any real chances once Celtic doubled their lead and a latest derby win for Brendan Rodgers' side sees them go eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals.
Celtic's victory means their unbeaten run stretching back to May 2016 continues, and ensures Rangers still have picked up only one point from a possible 13 against Celtic since their return to the Scottish Premiership.
The Old Firm began in characteristically frantic fashion as, just 50 seconds in, Rogic had his shot from the edge of the box tipped over the bar before Griffiths missed a free header with the goal gaping in the ninth minute.
Rangers grew as the half progressed. Graham Dorrans fired a shot over on the half-hour mark. Then, a minute later, Alfredo Morelos failed to connect to a dangerous James Tavernier cross at the back post.
Celtic responded through Patrick Roberts, whose shot was smothered by Wes Foderingham and Stuart Armstrong slipped at the vital moment when he looked set to put Celtic in front moments later.
Five minutes into the second half and Celtic took the lead. The lively Roberts' blocked shot from range, following a corner, deflected into the path of Rogic who instinctively smashed the ball into the top corner.
Alfredo Morelos missed Rangers' best chance in the 54th minute as he reached Kenny Miller's flicked-on header, but he couldn't convert as Craig Gordon blocked the close-range attempt away.
Ten minutes later, Celtic doubled their lead through a ruthless counter-attack. Roberts cut in from the right flank and fed in Griffiths, who slotted the ball home.
Celtic's second goal of the game seemed to sink Rangers, whose closest chance after Griffiths' strike came five minutes from time, but Morelos could not convert substitute Eduardo Herrera's flick-on in what proved to be another frustrating afternoon for the hosts against their rivals.
A constant thorn in Rangers' defence, Griffiths gave Rangers' 19-year-old debutant centre-back Ross McCrorie a tough afternoon with his smart runs behind the opposition backline.
He was constantly on the receiving end of Celtic chances, and expertly fired in a deserved goal in the 65th minute.
Rangers travel away to Hamilton on Friday. Meanwhile, Celtic take on Anderlecht in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
