Old rivals Rangers and Celtic shared four goals in an entertaining Old Firm derby, the first big clash of the new year. Celtic kept their nine-point lead at the top of the table thanks to a late equalizer by Kyogo Furuhashi. Rangers thought they’d won the game despite going behind early on, but they failed to make the title race tighter.Daizen Maeda was one of Japan’s best players in the World Cup in Qatar, and he continues with stellar performances on his return to Celtic. The swift Japanese winger made the most out of a mindless horizontal pass from striker Alfredo Morelos, carried the ball forward, avoiding challenges from James Tavernier and Connor Goldson before slotting in past veteran goalie Allan McGregor with just five minutes on the clock. It wasn’t the start Rangers wished for.Celtic’s Croatian right-back Josip Juranovic only came as a substitute with 20 minutes gone – and that one was forced after Greg Taylor had to come off injured.
Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has been playing well for Celtic, but he caused a problem for his team when he dwelled on the ball far too long. Morelos got the ball off him and laid it off for Ryan Kent to shoot from the edge of the box. Hart made amends for his error by getting a touch on the ball, pushing it onto his left-hand post and to safety. It was a lucky escape for the visitors, but it was also a turning point for Michel Beale’s team. The Gers took over the match from that point on and increased the pressure in search of an equaliser.Rangers got their goal shortly after the break and turned the game on its head within eight minutes. First, Kent took a touch before curling in a beautiful shot from the edge of the area beyond Hart’s reach to level and got the home crowd bouncing again.
It got even better for Rangers just six minutes later. Celtic’s Swedish defender Carl Starfelt caught Junior Fashion Sakala, the Zambian international, in the box, leaving referee John Beaton no dilemma – penalty!Rangers captain James Tavernier dispatched one of the most confident penalties you’ve ever seen into the top corner to give his team the lead. What a moment to get your 100th career goal!It was the green and whites’ turn to chase their rivals’ lead. Their coach Ange Postecoglou brought on Jota, Liel Abada, Aaron Mooy and Georgios Giakoumakis in search of a goal.
The Celts survived a few dangerous Rangers’ counter-attacks that could have ended their hopes on the day, but they held in there and showed why they’re currently the Scottish Premiership leaders. The league’s best goalscorer, another Japanese, Kyogo Furuhashi, made it 2-2 with just two minutes of the 90 left. Giakoumakis’ shot was blocked, but it fell nicely for Kyogo to fire into the roof of the net. Two Japanese internationals – two goals!SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIPMondayRangers – Celtic 2-2 (0-1)/Kent 47, Tavernier 53 pen – Maeda 5, Furuhashi 88/18.00: (2.60) Kilmarnock (3.10) St.Mirren (2.85)18.00: (2.25) Hearts (3.40) Hibernian (3.20)18.00: (2.85) Livingston (3.10) Motherwell (2.60)18.00: (2.30) St.Johnstone (3.20) Dundee Utd. (3.25)18.00: (1.62) Aberdeen (3.80) Ross County (5.90)***odds are subject to change