Celtic v Rangers LIVE: Result and reaction as hosts cruise to victory in first Old Firm derby of the season

Celtic cruised to victory over Rangers in the first Old Firm derby of the season to continue their perfect Scottish Premiership start.

First-half goals from Daizen Maeda and Kyogo set the home side on course at Celtic Park, before captain Callum McGregor’s fine second half strike added gloss to a commanding performance. After a bright opening ten minutes, Rangers seldom threatened, with Brendan Rodgers’ side now four wins from four and yet to concede in the league this season.

Philippe Clement had expressed hope that his refreshed Rangers squad could challenge their rivals , but a gulf in class was evident throughout. A fourth consecutive win at home over their cross-city foes leaves Celtic level on points with high-flying Aberdeen at the top of the table, with the visitors already five points back and any prospect of a title fight surely distant.

Re-live all the action from the Old Firm derby below.

Celtic vs Rangers LIVE

• Celtic cruise past Rangers in first Old Firm derby of the season

• FT: Celtic 3-0 Rangers

• GOAL! CELTIC 3-0 Rangers (Callum McGregor, 76 minutes)

• HT: Celtic 2-0 Rangers

• GOAL! CELTIC 2-0 Rangers (Kyogo, 40 minutes)

• GOAL! CELTIC 1-0 Rangers (Daizen Maeda, 17 minutes)

• Ruled out! Kyogo opener chalked off by VAR (Celtic 0-0 Rangers, 11 minutes)

• KICK OFF!

Callum McGregor and Celtic underline difference in class in Old Firm win over Rangers

14:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Celtic captain Callum McGregor underlined the difference in class between the Scottish Premiership champions and Rangers with a brilliant strike to round off a 3-0 Old Firm victory at Parkhead.

McGregor delivered his second screamer of the season to add to first-half goals from Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi as Celtic went above Aberdeen on goal difference and five points ahead of their city rivals.

Celtic underline difference in class in Old Firm win over Rangers

Celtic captain Callum McGregor on an Old Firm derby win

14:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“We try to outnumber teams in midfield, and we’ve got speed and great quality up front. That’s the game model, and we keep trying to get better at it every game. We were unlucky not to have a third one before half time, but that was probably a big moment in the game because it gave us belief and settled everyone. Credit to the lads.

“I think when you are feeling good, the game just opens up for you. You see that opportunity to shoot, another good strike, and I’m just buzzing at the minute.”

FT: Celtic 3-0 Rangers

14:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Comprehensive from Celtic, taking complete control in he first half and never looking likely to reliniquish their lead. Another stunner from Callum McGregor added extra gloss as their perfect start to the Scottish Premiership season continues.

Big hugs for all of his players from Brendan Rodgers, a very happy man after a show of strength from his side. There’s a gulf between these two at the moment.

FULL TIME! Celtic 3-0 Rangers

14:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Celtic 3-0 Rangers, 90 + 3 minutes

14:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A brilliant save to keep the run without conceding going! Ross McCausland seems certain to score as the ball spins his way inside the Celtic box, but Kasper Schmeichel closes quickly to shut down the space and then spreads himself magnificently to keep the shot out with his right boot.

Celtic 3-0 Rangers, 90 minutes

14:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Celtic still haven’t conceded in the league this season. After a couple of early wobbles, they’ve been rock solid today, with new signing Auston Trusty not needed off the bench.

Four added minutes.

Celtic 3-0 Rangers, 85 minutes

14:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Tom Lawrence’s ball does manage to evade Cameron Carter-Vickers, but it bounces harmlessly up into the arms of Kasper Schmeichel.

Celtic 3-0 Rangers, 83 minutes

14:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Rangers just haven’t threatened often enough in this game. Jefte gets into a crossing position but his cross finds the head of Cameron Carter-Vickers, as most deliveries into the Celtic box have today.

Celtic 3-0 Rangers, 80 minutes

14:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Rangers answer Celtic’s double change with a triple switch. Leon Balogun, Hamza Igamane and Nicolas Raskin will try to salvage something from these final few minutes.

Celtic 3-0 Rangers, 78 minutes

14:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Adam Idah and Luke McCowan - on debut for a club he supported as a youngster after a switch from Dundee last week - replace Kyogo and Reo Hatate. Both of those taken off by Brendan Rodgers looked a little heavy legged, which the Celtic boss will very much hope is simply fatigue rather than anything more sinister.

GOAL! CELTIC 3-0 Rangers (Callum McGregor, 76 minutes)

14:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Spectacular!

That’ll seal it in style! There’s a flick off the studs of Dujon Sterling but it’s a pearler regardless from Callum McGregor, making a habit of this sort of goal in the early part of the season. The captain rifles home from 25 yards wth Jack Butland, and Rangers, well beaten.

Celtic 2-0 Rangers, 74 minutes

14:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Outstanding from Kyogo! Celtic cry foul in the Rangers box but the referee waves the penalty appeals away, and Tom Lawrence is soon driving at an undermanned defence. But Kyogo has sprinted all the way back, sliding in to make sure Lawrence makes no further progress.

Celtic 2-0 Rangers, 72 minutes

14:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A milestone moment for James Forrest - he’s off the bench for Nicolas Kuhn to make appearance number 500 in a Celtic shirt. After forcing his way back into the first-team picture at the end of last season, Forrest has 20 minutes to make it even more of a day to remember here.

Celtic 2-0 Rangers, 71 minutes

14:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Two contrasting moments from Kyogo, his touch to create space nifty, his attempted pass to Nicolas Kuhn rather less so.

Celtic 2-0 Rangers, 67 minutes

13:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A booking for Cyriel Dressers, who appears to have taken a blow to the mouth but made his point to the referee a little too forcefully.

John Beaton is back in his pocket soon after as Tom Lawrence blocks off Arne Engels with a brusque shoulder.

Celtic 2-0 Rangers, 65 minutes

13:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Top save! Jack Butland adjusts superbly after Robin Propper inadvertently diverts a cross towards his own goal. Butland, crabbing right, leaps back to his left and tips past the post quite superbly.

Celtic 2-0 Rangers, 62 minutes

13:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A chance for Ross McCausland as James Tavernier’s cross comes all the way through to the left winger. It’s at an awkward height, though, and McCausland blazes over the bar.

A debut for Celtic’s new recruit Arne Engels - the versatile Belgian, 21 next Sunday, is on for Paulo Bernardo.

Celtic 2-0 Rangers, 59 minutes

13:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A brilliant opportunity for 3-0! Reo Hatate measures a pass perfectly for Kyogo to run on to and take without breaking stride, the striker bearing down on an advancing Jack Butland. Kyogo lifts it effectively over the goalkeeper but gets his angle wrong, sending it into the side netting.

Celtic 2-0 Rangers, 58 minutes

13:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A second Rangers change: Mohamed Diomande is replaced by Tom Lawrence as Philippe Clement looks to his bench to spark something.

Celtic 2-0 Rangers, 56 minutes

13:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

James Tavernier is forced into a smart defensive header, flicking a delivery bending towards the corner behind.

Celtic 2-0 Rangers, 54 minutes

13:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Daizen Maeda finds room beyond James Tavernier and connects with Reo Hatate. Hatate assesses his options as he uses his body to keep a couple of Rangers defenders away, but his eventual backheel isn’t delivered with the requisite power to return the ball to Maeda.

Celtic 2-0 Rangers, 51 minutes

13:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mohamed Diomande is fouled about 35 yards from the Celtic goal. Vaclav Cerny swings the free kick in and Robin Propper heads goalwards after a spot of aerial pinball, though his effort strikes a teammate.

This is a good couple of minutes from Rangers, though. Cameron Carter-Vickers is forced to scramble behind after John Souttar, still up after that free kick, snatches at a shot.

Celtic 2-0 Rangers, 49 minutes

13:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Not for the first time today, a Celtic flick-on bounces harmlessly past the far post with no-one there to provide the finishing touches.

Celtic 2-0 Rangers, 47 minutes

13:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Celtic’s defence is still yet to breached this season. Rangers have an early second half sniff but Kasper Schmeichel collects in comfort.

Second half...

13:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Back underway at Celtic Park

HT: Celtic 2-0 Rangers

13:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Off Celtic go with a smile, the hosts having taken control of the contest after a bright Rangers start. The visitors pressed high with impressive intensity early on, but once the energy levels started to drop, they were open expanses for Celtic to explore. Kyogo was denied once by the offside flag before Daizen Maeda’s opener, and the Japan striker made sure he got his customary Old Firm goal just before half time to leave his side firmly on top.

HALF TIME: Celtic 2-0 Rangers

13:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Celtic 2-0 Rangers, 45 + 1 minutes

13:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Boy do Rangers need the interval. Celtic cut them open once more and they are queueing up in the box to knock it home, Paulo Bernardo eschewing one shooting opportunity but getting another. He fails to catch it cleanly and Jack Butland saves before shooting grumpy looks at his back four.

Celtic 2-0 Rangers, 45 minutes

13:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A gorgeous diagonal springs Daizen Maeda beyond the Rangers defence, but the winger underhits his cross to Kyogo.

Into three additional minutes.

Celtic 2-0 Rangers, 43 minutes

13:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Nearly three! A vital foot from John Souttar in his own six-yard box, two Celtic players waiting to knock home the cross but the ball never reaching them thanks to the centre-half’s intervention.

GOAL! CELTIC 2-0 Rangers (Kyogo, 40 minutes)

13:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A delightful finish and Celtic double their lead!

Kyogo just loves this fixture! Rangers give the ball away in their own half and Greg Taylor drills a pass in to his striker’s feet. Kyogo turns and spots Jack Butland slightly out of position, space to the goalkeeper’s left. A curled finish to the corner is perfectly precise.

Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 38 minutes

13:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Rabbi Matondo has battled on since that earlier injury but still isn’t moving freely, and Philippe Clement has seen enough. Ross McCausland takes Matondo’s place on the left wing.

Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 36 minutes

13:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Rangers have lost the intensity in their press, though a miscommunication between Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda prevents Celtic from making progress towards the visitors’ box.

But that’s a golden opportunity for Hatate! Maeda’s shot is blocked to Nicolas Kuhn, who finds a cutting pass to a free Hatate - but the midfielder skews his shot wide of the far post!

Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 32 minutes

13:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Vaclav Cerny gives Daizen Maeda the hips, a salsa shimmy unable to shake his dance partner. Maeda’s been very diligent defensively so far, giving Greg Taylor a hand against Cerny.

Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 30 minutes

13:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Daizen Maeda then flicks the corner across the face with no teammate at the far post to tap it in!

Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 29 minutes

13:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Celtic are building pressure. More tidy football up the right sees Cameron Carter-Vickers heavily involved, the centre-back making a foray up the field. John Souttar turns a low cross behind.

Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 27 minutes

12:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Cerny is forced into some defensive work as Celtic threaten again, the winger blocking behind. Rangers just seem to be losing their steam a bit after a strong start, though deal with the corner effectively.

Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 26 minutes

12:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A fine run from Dujon Sterling earns Rangers a corner. Vaclav Cerny slopes over to take it, that lovely left foot of his hunting a teammate with an inswinger. Celtic manage to clear.

Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 24 minutes

12:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A replacement is stripped and ready but it appears Rabbi Matondo is keen to continue after all.

Here’s how Daizen Maeda put Celtic ahead:

Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 23 minutes

12:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A concern for Rangers. Rabbi Matondo is down for treatment and the scrambling of a substitute suggests his day may be done.

Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 21 minutes

12:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Two more yellows shown. Mohamed Diomande and Alistair Johnston go into the book after a coming together.

And another - to the delight of the home fans, ex-Rangers midfielder Alex Rae, now one of Philippe Clement’s assistants, is cautioned after providing some unneccessary advice for the officials.

Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 19 minutes

12:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The first booking of the afternoon goes the way of Jefte, the Rangers left-back spun by Nicolas Kuhn rather easily and clipping his ankles.

GOAL! CELTIC 1-0 Rangers (Daizen Maeda, 17 minutes)

12:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That one will count!

It’s a brilliant goal. Celtic work a triangle up the right, Alistair Johnston giving and going, the right-back underlapping. Rabbi Matondo can’t stay with him and Johnston has just enough speed to keep the ball in play, hooking a searching cross into the box. It bounces beautifully for Daizen Maeda, who slots past Jack Butland.

Celtic 0-0 Rangers, 14 minutes

12:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A sigh of relief for Rangers, then, but it was concerning just how easily they were opened up there. It is a surprise that Philippe Clement’s side aren’t sitting slightly deeper, though they have looked threatening with the ball and forced a couple of errors in possession from Celtic.

NO GOAL! Celtic 0-0 Rangers, 11 minutes

12:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And Celtic make Rangers pay!

Scintillating football from the hosts. Rangers are caught short at the back after Celtic break between the lines, their midfielders caught too high up the pitch. Callum McGregor threads Nicolas Kuhn in, and Kyogo can’t miss as Kuhn squares it after charging into the box.

Hang on - it’s offside! Kuhn had gone too soon and VAR rules the opener out!

Celtic 0-0 Rangers, 10 minutes

12:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

What a chance for Rabbi Matondo! Another delicious delivery from James Tavernier bends on to the head of the winger, but he can’t hit the target from five yards out!

Celtic 0-0 Rangers, 8 minutes

12:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A slightly damp stuface helps Daizen Maeda out, the Celtic forward able to keep the ball in as it snags just short of the sideline. Forward they pile to support Maeda, who moves infield and then uses the space out on the left. Greg Taylor fizzes a pass between Maeda and a couple of other colleagues in the box, Jefte hammering it away.

Celtic 0-0 Rangers, 6 minutes

12:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Rangers are looking good in possession in these preliminary skirmishes, unlocking Celtic’s press but unable to breach the back four.

Tame! Celtic give the ball away again after an untimely slip and James Tavernier finds Cyriel Dessers with an incisive pass. The striker’s feet are neat but his shot is timid, and Kasper Schmeichel scoops it up. The flag was up, anyway.

Celtic 0-0 Rangers, 4 minutes

12:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A first proper challenge of the match, Connor Barron sliding through the back of Kyogo. The midfielder escapes a booking.

Reo Hatate has Celtic’s opening effort soon after, dragging his shot from 30 yards some distance wide.

Celtic 0-0 Rangers, 2 minutes

12:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Celtic attempt to play out from the back but lose it to James Tavernier. The right-back then underlaps Cerny, who looks to lift a little lob wedge over the top for him - he thins it, sending it skipping out of play.

Celtic 0-0 Rangers, 1 minute

12:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

An immediate opportunity for Rangers to test the Celtic defence, Vaclav Cerny standing up a free kick to the far post. A header back across is delivered with a bit too much oomph.

KICK OFF!

12:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Off we go!

Celtic vs Rangers

12:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Here we go then. The teams are readying themselves in the Celtic Park tunnel, the Glasgow ground full to the brim.

Celtic vs Rangers

12:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Kevin Nisbet’s dramatic stoppage time winner allowed Aberdeen to keep their strong start to the season going at Ross County, Jimmy Thelin’s side four from four and top of the table. Can Celtic join them by continuing their own perfect start?

Kris Boyd: ‘If you try and take Celtic on at their game it is going to be very difficult’

12:10 , Lawrence Ostlere

Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd believes frustrating Celtic needs to be his old club’s strategy at Parkhead.

The Light Blues are already two points behind the Premiership champions and former Gers and Scotland striker Boyd described the Hoops as “heavy favourites” for the first Old Firm game of the season, which will be played in front of Celtic fans only.

Rangers failed in five attempts last term to beat Brendan Rodgers’ side and have not won in the east end of Glasgow since October 2020, when a Connor Goldson double secured a 2-0 triumph - inside an empty stadium due to coronavirus restrictions - on their way to winning the title.

Boyd, now working as a pundit, told Sky Sports: “You look at Rangers in recent times going across the city, they’ve struggled. There’s no getting away from it, and they’re going to have to find a way to start getting results again.

“Celtic have started the season really, really well. I thought Rangers at the weekend (6-0 win over Ross County), in terms of that performance, was probably the best 90 minutes of the season. But there’s no getting away from it. Rangers’ head to head versus Celtic has not been good enough.

“They’re going to have to address that if they’re going to be successful. I think from Rangers’ point of view, they’re just going to have to go and try and frustrate Celtic to start with, and then see where that takes them. Because I think if you go and try and take Celtic on at their game, at home, it is going to be very difficult to come out on top.

“We’ve seen it before, where you’re underdogs and you go to frustrate a team, and you’re able to nick something, I think that’s probably where Rangers are at this moment in time.”

How to watch Celtic v Rangers today

11:59 , Lawrence Ostlere

The match will kick off at 12:30pm BST today at Celtic Park. It will be shown live on Sky Sports Football, with coverage already started.

Subscribers can also stream the match via Sky Go, or purchase a pass for NOW TV. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

Brendan Rodgers ignoring narrative ahead of first Old Firm of the season

11:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers stressed he would take no heed of media narratives surrounding Rangers as he prepares for his side’s first derby clash of the season in the William Hill Premiership.

The champions go into the game two points ahead of their city rivals on the back of scoring nine goals without reply in their opening three league matches.

Rangers have been dealing with with an enforced exile from Ibrox amid building work and a Champions League exit at the first hurdle.

The financial gap between the sides is widening and Celtic’s late transfer business appears to have put them at a further advantage.

Celtic will again have a monopoly of fans on Sunday after deciding not to offer Rangers tickets because they had not met their obligations to undertake safety work by the agreed deadline.

However, Rodgers knows there is no room for complacency.

“Their story is never created by us, that will be created by you guys about what you’re maybe saying or what you think is happening,” said Rodgers.

“As professional football players and coaches, we prepare for the game and especially these games in particular.

“You know that there’s a different psyche in them but for us we’re coming into it in a really good place but we can never just assume that you don’t have to do the work.

“You have to do all the dirty side of the game, you have to be together, you’ve got to be unified and then bring your football and see how difficult you can make it for the opponent.”

Connor Barron excited to perform on Old Firm debut

11:42 , Lawrence Ostlere

Rangers midfielder Connor Barron, who starts today, is “really excited” about the prospect of his first Old Firm derby ahead of the trip to Celtic Park.

The 22-year-old has been a stand-out in Philippe Clement’s Gers side since joining the Light Blues from Aberdeen in the summer.

His biggest test so far awaits against the champions, who have started strongly this season with four straight wins and who will have all of their 60,000-capacity stadium behind them as there will be no Rangers supporters inside.

Barron told RangersTV: “I’m really excited. There is always a lot of talk around the games, but it’s also important as a player to realise what the team can do, and you can go out with the focus and drive that if you do your job, you can come away with the victory.

“That always has to be the aim at this football club, no matter what team you’re playing against, and nothing changes on Sunday.

“If we all stick to the game plan, we all know what we can do. Defensively, we need to get at them, and when we’re on the ball then we need to be composed.

“We saw last weekend when we take our chances, and that was something we talked about in the first few games of the season because we could have been winning by more. Hopefully we can bring that on Sunday and get the win.”

Philippe Clement confident rebuilt Rangers can challenge Celtic

11:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Rangers manager Philippe Clement believes his “young and exciting” squad can challenge Celtic’s established side on Sunday despite admitting his “massive rebuild” could not be completed in one transfer window.

Clament added to his squad with deadline-day signings Nedim Bajrami and Neraysho Kasanwirjo and claimed the narrative around his side had been overly negative.

The Belgian feels many underestimated the scale of the club’s task over the summer, with six players leaving for free at the end of their contracts following similar departures of Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent the previous year.

“It’s been really busy months and weeks,” he said. “I spoke about that at the end of last season, that it was the end of a cycle at the club. I don’t think everybody realised truly what I was talking about.

“The squad had a lot players over 30 who would not progress any more, you had players at the end of their contract who were going to leave.

“We have 16 players from the squad of last season who are not here anymore and there is still a possibility from players who are not training with the squad that they will still leave the club now. So that is a lot, that is for sure the end of a cycle and we also had to make changes in the staff. It’s a massive rebuild.”

Rangers line-up

11:21 , Lawrence Ostlere

Rangers defender Leon Bologun is on the bench while Robin Propper, Oscar Cortes and Ridvan Yilmaz are all unavailable.  New signing Neraysho Kasanwirjo is on the bench.

Celtic line-up

11:18 , Lawrence Ostlere

Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers is fit to feature, while debuts could be handed to Alex Valle, Arne Engles and Luke McCowan, as well as Auston Trusty, all signed on deadline day – they start on the bench.

Celtic v Rangers

11:12 , Lawrence Ostlere

Celtic host Rangers in the first Old Firm of the season in the Scottish Premiership.

Celtic defended their title last season under Brendan Rodgers and have made a perfect start to the new campaign with three straight wins.

Rangers know defeat at Celtic Park would leave them five points behind the leaders already, but Philippe Clement’s side can go top with a win.

Rangers have only won one of their last 12 matches against Celtic and Clement is yet to win any of his four Old Firms in charge.

Celtic v Rangers

11:07 , Lawrence Ostlere

Hello and welcome along to live coverage of Celtic v Rangers in the Scottish Premiership, as the rivals meet for the first time this season.