Rangers strike gold in first Old Firm of season

Rangers have defeated Celtic 2-0 at Celtic Park in the first Old Firm game this season. Due to coronavirus restrictions, it was also the first Old Firm game with no fans attending.

An Old Firm game without fans is a Formula One car with three gears, but the teams did not let viewers down.

The first exciting moment came just nine minutes in when Connor Goldson connected with a wonderfully curled free-kick taken by James Tavernier. Goldson leapt above his marker and headed home the opener from close range, sending Rangers fans into raptures of celebration.

Celtic soon had a chance to equalize but Mohamed Elyounoussi failed to get anything from a long ball that was misunderstood by Goldson in the Rangers defence. Elyounoussi chipped Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor from close range, only to push the ball over the bar.

This gave Rangers a great confidence which allowed them to control the first half, helped by the absence of several of Celtic’s main stars.

At the turn of the half Celtic were aware that things had to change, but it was again Rangers who drew first blood with another Goldson goal in the 55^th minute.

Godson was Rangers’ leading man with both goals to his name

After some nice play, Scott Arfield was able to get a cross in. This was deflected into the box where Goldson was waiting. His effort was blocked by Celtic’s Shane Duffy but fell to the feet of Goldson again who made no mistake with his second bite of the cherry. It was 2-0 to Rangers and the pressure was back on Celtic right from the beginning of the second half.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon was forced to make changes with Albian Ajeti, Leigh Griffiths, and Tom Rogic all being brought into the game. It was to no avail though as Rangers controlled the rest of the game.

The 2-0 result means Rangers have conceded just three goals in their last eleven matches.