Match report as Celtic beat Rangers 1-0 in the first Old Firm game of the season; Rangers had a goal disallowed for offside with Kemar Roofe's effort then controversially ruled out for a foul; Kyogo fired Celtic ahead before the break; Celtic are now four points clear of their rivals
Sunday 3 September 2023 20:23, UK
Kyogo Furuhashi's stunning strike earned Celtic a 1-0 victory at Ibrox in the first Old Firm game of the season after Rangers saw two early goals disallowed.
Rabbi Matondo's effort inside the opening minute was ruled out for offside before Kemar Roofe's goal was controversially disallowed for a foul in the build-up.
Kyogo, who passed up two early opportunities, then smashed the ball into the net from outside the box to silence the home crowd just before the break.
Rangers had chances through Sam Lammers and Danilo but could not find a way past the defending champions who move four points ahead of them and two points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership table going into the international break.
Kris Boyd: "It is a shocking decision. How that can be brought back for a foul is incredible. Lagerbielke is caught on the ball and Dessers wins it back. Don Robertson has to be stronger after being sent to the pitchside monitor."
Neil Lennon: "I think Celtic are fortunate. But l think it's a foul."
James McFadden: "By the laws of the game, it's a foul."
Kenny Miller: "It is ridiculous if he gives a foul for that. That's not a free-kick."
Brendan Rodgers only lost once against Rangers during his first spell at Celtic and it was a nervy start for the manager as Matondo fired home from Cyriel Dessers' ball inside the opening minute for Rangers, but the offside flag was up.
A long ball over the top from Todd Cantwell almost released Dessers minutes later but Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart reacted to clear the danger.
Rangers dominated the opening stages but Celtic came close to the opener in the 18th minute when Callum McGregor's ball found Liel Abada. The winger sent in a dangerous cross but Kyogo could not get his shot away.
The Japanese striker then had a perfect chance to score soon after as he found himself through on goal but his hesitation allowed Connor Goldson to block his shot.
Roofe then thought he had fired Rangers ahead in the 28th minute after a lovely pass from Dessers, but once again VAR intervened with this one disallowed for his foul on Lagerbielke in the build-up.
With an air of nervousness around Ibrox, Greg Taylor switched off, allowing Cantwell to send a cross to the back post but Hart was there to claim the ball.
Another Celtic defensive lapse handed Matondo a brilliant chance but the Rangers man sent his shot well over.
The visitors then finally took their chance in devastating style just before half-time as Kyogo smashed the ball past Jack Butland from outside of the box.
Ibrox fell silent before the boos rang out on the half-time whistle.
Goldson's poor clearance almost gifted Celtic a second just after the break. Abada sent a ball across goal but, with Daizen Maeda inches from connecting, Butland turned it away.
Rangers went searching for an equaliser and Cantwell sent a promising ball to Dessers whose final ball lacked quality.
The Hoops then caught Rangers on the break as Kyogo charged through on goal but he spurned another chance as the ball went over.
Both sides rang the changes with triple substitutions just after the hour mark as the Rangers support once again made their feelings clear.
After Goldson headed onto the roof of the net, Odin Holm sent a powerful drive towards Butland at the other end before Rangers substitute Danilo curled an effort past the post.
Lammers then wasted his chance to pull Michael Beale's side level when he hit the side-netting after taking the ball around Hart.
Rangers appealed for a penalty after Cantwell went down in the box but there was nothing in the challenge from Maeda.
Hart then reacted well to deny Danilo twice in quick succession as Celtic held on to claim victory in their first meeting of the season.
Rangers manager Michael Beale on Sky Sports:
"I thought we started the game quite well - obviously we score an offside goal, and then the VAR call. Having seen it back, he kicks Cyriel, so I think it's a harsh call. I think that's one that's gone against us, but there's a lot of time to play in the game.
"The goal we concede is a really poor goal, it's from a nothing moment in the game. Second half we have a big push we have better chances on the day than Celtic and we aren't able to take them. That's bitterly disappointing.
"It's been a hugely disappointing week for everyone associated with the club. I feel for the fans.
"We're missing chances and conceding poor goals which is not a good sign right now."
"It's a massive result for the squad when you consider virtually half the team is unavailable.
"I said to them before the game that I need my men today. You need to come and play like a man, even though you're really young players.
"We had chances to score before we did, but we forced one or two passes. It's a great finish from Kyogo, and it puts us in a position that I thought we deserved at half-time.
"The players stood up. The two centre-halves - Liam Scales was outstanding today. It's a fantastic win for us.
"A lot of the new players needed that big win to feel what the intensity is like at a club like Celtic. Second half, we had to show resilience and fight. To come here, keep a clean sheet, and win with not one supporter in the stadium is a brilliant win."
Sky Sports' Kris Boyd at Ibrox:
"It's the last thing Rangers needed. After the way the game against PSV panned out on Wednesday night, they were under severe pressure and this result has only ramped up the pressure. There's no getting away from it.
"You can't lose your home games in the Old Firm and expect to win the league because it doesn't usually happen. And with a two-week break before their next game, the critics will be out and rightly so because it's not been good enough.
"The previous regime was slated for its recruitment and the exact same thing is happening at this moment in time. It's not been good enough."
Chris Sutton on Sky Sports:
"Celtic were worthy winners.
"In the final third Rangers recruitment comes under scrutiny, they haven't clicked or connected and that's a big, big problem for Michael Beale.
"A stadium full of boos, he is under pressure. How long do you give him?
"There's this notion that this is a new team for Rangers and Michael Beale, he had 23 league games last season. Ange Postecoglou schooled him last season and won a treble."
The Scottish Premiership takes an international break with Rangers returning to action away to St Johnstone on September 16, live on Sky Sports. Kick-off 12.30pm.
Celtic are at home to Dundee on the same day. That game kicks off at 3pm.
