Rangers comeback piles more misery on Celtic
Rangers claimed Old Firm bragging rights beating Celtic 3-1 after an impressive second-half turnaround at Celtic Park.
Danny Rohl's side moved level on points with its rival after scoring three times in the space of 21 minutes to overturn a 1-0 deficit for victory.
With Hearts playing Livingston later in the day, Celtic had the chance to go level on points with the Scottish Premiership leader.
Wilfried Nancy's side broke the deadlock in the 19th minute, as Yang Hyun-jun fired into the roof of the net from inside the area.
Jack Butland thwarted Johnny Kenny and Emmanuel Fernandez made a goalline clearance as the Hoops pushed for a second goal, while Mikey Moore was denied by the offside flag at the other end.
However, Rangers levelled in the 50th minute, with Youssef Chermiti turning home Nicolas Raskin's cross from close range.
The forward added a second nine minutes later, holding off Auston Trusty before firing past Kasper Schmeichel, who was beaten again 19 minutes from time, with Moore's low drive sealing all three points for the visitors.
Rohl's side has now won five of its past six league games to stay firmly in the Scottish Premiership title mix.
"I give big respect to my team," Rohl said. "In the first half, we tried something, but they were better. They won the 50-50 duels, and they played big and fast and behind, created us a lot of problems.
"In the second half, we changed the style of pressing at half-time a little bit. We were then good in the game.
"You have two stories. We can turn things in one half to come back 3-1 and win this game. And the second story, we have a centre-forward with Youssef who scores fantastic goals.
"This is a demanding league. My players did really well today. It is a statement. It's a massive three points, but now it's about continuing our way and there's also a good feeling to have three wins in a row now."
Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland concurred with his head coach, while two-goal Chermiti revelled in the visitors' victory.
"We had to weather a bit in the first half, as you do when you come here," Butland said. "[We] figured a few things out at half-time.
"We deserved it in the end. We've shown in difficult times this season an ability to bounce back. Today, it is a statement win in that sense. [There are] big weeks and big games to come."
"This is what I work for, what everyone works for," Chermiti added. "It's a very good feeling."
For Nancy, the picture is far from rosy.
Since replacing Brendan Rodgers at the start of December, he has won just two of his eight matches in all competitions with Celtic – against Aberdeen and Livingston either side of Christmas.
This result also allowed Rangers to join the Hoops on 38 points in the standings.
"It was disappointing because we deserved more today, but again we needed more goals," Nancy said.
"In the second half, we conceded three goals from throw-ins. It's difficult to accept, but it's reality. This is not about the players or the tactics, this is about moments.
"This is not about myself, this is about disappointing the fans because I know the meaning of this game. I can understand the disappointment, but I saw what we're able to do.
"We are really close, there are many things that can turn around. If it was not the case, I would not talk like this. I really believe we can turn things around.
"We are together with the board."
It proved to be another disappointing day at the office for the former Columbus Crew boss, with the person in the opposite dugout finally getting things to click into gear.
Since Rohl's first league game in charge of Rangers, his side has won the most points in the top flight (29) and eight more than Celtic has managed in that time.
That run of results for Celtic saw supporters stage a mass protest outside Parkhead aimed at the club's board.
"I can understand that. I think that they were behind us in the first half, they pushed us in a good way," Nancy added.
"And after that, I can understand why they're disappointed regarding the fact that we had many possibilities to win the game.
"I know that I repeat myself, but it happened in the past also regarding many games."





























