Rangers turned a one-goal deficit into a 3-1 win over Celtic at Celtic Park, securing Old Firm bragging rights and drawing level on points with their rivals in the Scottish Premiership, as Danny Rohl's team kept the title race tight before Hearts faced Livingston later on Saturday.
The match swung after half-time, with Youssef Chermiti striking twice and Mikey Moore adding a late third, overturning Yang Hyun-jun's composed first-half finish for Wilfried Nancy's Celtic, as Rangers capitalised on key chances to take control of this Old Firm contest.
Underlying numbers highlighted contrasting performances, with Celtic creating more attempts but Rangers producing sharper finishing, as the visitors recorded nine shots and four on target for an expected
goals (xG) value of 1.06, while Celtic generated 21 efforts and eight on target, producing a higher xG figure of 1.52.
| Team | Goals | Shots | Shots on target | xG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celtic | 1 | 21 | 8 | 1.52 |
| Rangers | 3 | 9 | 4 | 1.06 |
The result carried historical weight, as Rangers recorded a 173rd win in Old Firm meetings, moving one ahead of Celtic in the all-time head-to-head, while Rohl's side also achieved a fifth victory from the last six league fixtures to remain firmly involved in this Scottish Premiership title contest.
Recent trends underlined the scale of the comeback, with Rangers recovering from a half-time deficit in a Premiership game for the first time since beating Dundee in March, and securing a league win after conceding first for the first time since overcoming Dundee United in May, showing improved resilience across this Old Firm encounter.
Celtic entered the game knowing a win would move the team level with Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts, who were scheduled to host Livingston later on Saturday, and Nancy's side struck first on 19 minutes when Yang Hyun-jun drove a rising effort into the roof of the net from inside the penalty area.
Celtic then chased a second goal, as Jack Butland denied Johnny Kenny with a crucial save, Emmanuel Fernandez headed a goal-line clearance to keep Rangers in touch, and Moore thought Rangers had equalised before the interval, only for an assistant's offside flag to halt the celebrations.
The momentum changed on 50 minutes when Nicolas Raskin delivered a low cross from the right that Chermiti guided home from close range, before the forward struck again nine minutes later, outmuscling Auston Trusty and finishing low beyond Kasper Schmeichel, who was beaten a third time 19 minutes from the end when Moore drilled a precise shot into the corner.
There's not a team like the Glasgow Rangers. Full time at Parkhead, Celtic 1-3 Rangers. pic.twitter.com/KMuDB7MTXCRangers Football Club (@RangersFC) January 3, 2026
The Old Firm victory left Rangers level with Celtic in the Scottish Premiership standings and marginally ahead in the historic rivalry, while the efficiency shown in front of goal contrasted with Celtic's heavier shot count, suggesting Rohl's team carried greater composure at decisive moments during this Glasgow meeting.
