Rangers were depleted, but it was a win they deserved against Celtic, who looked unbeaten in the Scottish Championship until kick-off.
Philip Clement ended his Old Firm hoodoo as a result, he felt they also deserved to reach last month’s League Cup final, but how much can they count on in the second half of the season?
Celtic were on a rampage but they came to a shuddering halt at Ibrox as they failed to show the pace and desire that have propelled them to the top of the Scottish Championship.
While a title challenge may still be out of reach for Rangers, will this be a transformative result for their season and will Brendan Rodgers bounce back from his first defeat of the season and second in the Old Firm?
Boyd: Rangers need to prove it
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Giannis Hagi gave the Rangers an early lead
The former Rangers striker Chris Boyd on Sky Sports.
“Away from home, Rangers weren’t that good. Ibrox wasn’t the problem, it’s being away from home that has cost Rangers so far this season.
“We’ve seen performances like that but they have to confirm it. They’ll be at Easter Road at Dens Park next week. Those are the games that will tell us more.
“I can enjoy tonight, but then I think the reality will set in that you’re still 11 points behind, but to take nothing away from Rangers, I thought they were great today.
“They asked the players to come on, we said there might be an opportunity at the top of the show for players who weren’t playing yet to come and claim. I thought Ridvan Yilmaz was great, I thought Dujon Sterling and Robin were playing like proper defenders, it’s good that Celtic didn’t ask for too much and Jefte was up and down all day.
“Nicolas Ruskin was great, Vaclav Cerny and Janis Hagi with that bit of quality. It’s a good day for Rangers, but you think about where this team has been in an instant.”
Lennon: the celts hit like a ‘clip around the ear’
The former Celtic manager Neil Lennon on Sky Sports.
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Neil Lennon has reacted to Celtic’s away defeat to Rangers in the Old Firm derby.
“The most important thing is whether this is a catalyst for a good second half of the season for Rangers. Let’s face it, the first half of the season was not so good. This performance from the goalkeeper to the striker was excellent.
“They created a lot of chances and there was a flow to them, but it’s one game. What’s important now is whether they can go to Easter Sunday and have the same mindset to close the gap on Celtic.”
This will be a clip around the ear for Celtic and they will go again.There was a bit of lethargy in this game, but Rangers fans will walk away delighted with what they saw today.
From the point of view of “Celtic”, it is zero.
Rangers condemn coin toss
Celtic’s Arne Engels flipped a coin at Ibrox
Celtic substitute Arne Engels was hit by a coin thrown by a Rangers fan late in the win at Ibrox.
The club’s record signing appeared to be in full view as he was about to be cornered by a police officer who promptly collected it for evidence.
Rangers spokesman said. “Rangers FC strongly condemns this incident.
“The club can confirm it will assist Police Scotland with their investigation.”
