Rangers 3-3 Celtic: Three things we learned

By Ethan Barlow

Ibrox played host to the second-last Old Firm of the season (Image: Getty Images)

Rangers came from behind twice in an epic Old Firm encounter where we are no closer to learning this season’s title fate.

First-half goals from Daizen Maeda and Matt O’Riley had Celtic on easy street, but a James Tavernier penalty and a deflected Abdallah Sima effort brought Rangers level in the dying embers. Just when it looked like we had seen all the goal-mouth action, Adam Idah, and Rabbi Matondo’s late goals ended an all-time classic.

Here are the key takeaways from the penultimate league meeting of the season:

A game of two halves

Celtic cruised to a two-goal lead (Image: Getty Images)

Brendan Rodgers would have hoped for a good start to quieten the Ibrox crowd without any away support in the stadium. But no one would have expected Celtic to have the lead after just 20 seconds. Joe Hart’s kick upfield put the Rangers captain under pressure and the lighting-quick Maeda blocked Tavernier’s clearance for one of the strangest derby goals ever.

Celtic were the better team in the first period with Connor Goldson’s header from a corner being Rangers’ only chance, which he should have scored. Goldson was the centre of attention once more when he was adjudged to have handled in the Rangers penalty area after John Beaton was instructed to have a look at the VAR monitor. Without a recognised penalty taker, O’Riley stepped up and was the coolest man in the stadium as he lifted the ball down the middle, sending Jack Butland diving.

Despite Celtic being 2-0 up at the break, there was always a chance the home side would find a way back into the game. Within 10 minutes of the second half, Rangers were awarded a controversial penalty when Alistair Johnston was adjudged to have illegally brought down Fabio Silva. Beaton originally booked Silva for simulation after he had gone over easily a few times, but Nick Walsh sent the referee to the monitor again. Tavernier stepped up and even with Hart diving the right way, his penalty was unsavable and Rangers had halved the deficit.

Less than two minutes after the penalty, Rangers thought they had an equaliser. Cyriel Dessers had the ball in the net, but after the man in the middle was sent to the VAR screen for the third time, a second look showed Tomoki Iwata was fouled in the build-up to the Rangers goal.

With four minutes left of regular time, Rangers did have an equaliser. Celtic’s most notable substitute, Callum McGregor, misplaced a pass which put Rangers on the front foot. When the ball eventually fell to half-time substitute Sima, his deflected effort had the Gers level.

Just as the Ibrox crowd was settling from jubilation, Celtic were ahead again. Paulo Bernardo found space and then found Idah, as the Norwich loanee struck low past Butland as it looked like Celtic would have the last laugh.

Willie Collum held up the board for eight minutes of added time and a roar rang around Ibrox. Four minutes later, there was another roar as Matondo’s stunner sent Ibrox into ecstasy as they had come from behind yet again.

The substitutes prove to be the difference

Matondo was one of many super-subs (Image: Getty Images)

Both managers made key substitutions at important times in the match which helped their teams secure a point.

Philippe Clement’s half-time change made the difference, but his second-half subs were also crucial in Rangers’ comeback. Sima replaced Scott Wright at half-time and really caused Greg Taylor problems down Celtic’s left side. Clement’s notable changes also included Todd Cantwell, Kieran Dowell and Matondo who all made positive impacts.

Two of Rodgers’ substitutes combined for Celtic’s only second-half goal. Two loan signings, Bernardo and Idah, took Celtic’s off-the-bench goal contributions tally to 20 for the season. Idah was the best of the away side’s subs and offered a focal point which Kyogo doesn’t.

Everything to fight for in the run-in

The managers shake hands after settling for a point (Image: Getty Images)

Rangers had the chance to pull off a statement win, which would have moved them two points clear of their bitter rivals with a game less played. In the context of the game and where the Gers were at half-time, Philippe Clement was relieved at full-time when his side stayed in the driving seat of this season's title race, but he will need to wait longer for his first victory in this fixture.

Celtic will be frustrated they haven't come away from Ibrox with all three points, but with the last dance of the season between the two teams taking place at Celtic Park, Rodgers will be quietly confident he can continue his 100% title record.