Celtic 2-3 Rangers: Igamane stunner snatches dramatic Old Firm derby victory

Hamza Igamane was Rangers’ Old Firm derby hero as his late strike clinched a 3-2 win over rivals Celtic on Sunday.

Rangers had given up a 2-0 lead as Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic fought back in the second half, but the visitors had the final say in a thrilling encounter.

Celtic were left stunned inside four minutes, with Nicolas Raskin seeing a dipping shot pushed away by Kasper Schmeichel before he glanced in the resulting corner with a delightful header.

Vaclav Cerny was gifted the opportunity to double Rangers’ lead – Schmeichel was out of his box when making a loose clearance, but the Czech took too long with an empty net ahead of him and was thwarted by Maik Nawrocki.

Mohamed Diomande made no such mistake in the 37th minute. He was unmarked as he latched onto Raskin’s flick in the middle of the box and coolly slotted past Schmeichel.

It was Celtic who made a quick start to the second half, though. Daizen Maeda, who had seen an effort cleared off the line by Dujon Sterling on the stroke of half-time, rose highest to nod Jota’s looping cross in at the far post.

Celtic dragged themselves level in the 74th minute, with Luke McCowan’s reverse pass opening space on the right of the box, and Reo Hatate peeled off his defender to guide his shot into the far corner for the equaliser.

Yet there was to be another twist in the 88th minute, as Igamane kept his cool under pressure on the edge of Celtic’s box, riding the challenge from Cameron Carter-Vickers before lashing a stunning strike into the top corner.

Celtic almost levelled deep in stoppage time, but Alistair Johnston sent his first-time effort blazing over Jack Butland’s crossbar.

Victory for The Famous Glasgow Rangers! pic.twitter.com/DEWlwCY1PE

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) March 16, 2025

Data Debrief: Derby delight for the Gers

Many expected Rangers to be showing some signs of fatigue on Sunday, having played 120 minutes before triumphing on penalties against Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday, but they came flying out of the blocks.

In fact, Raskin’s opener was their fastest goal in the league so far this season.

After winning the last derby 3-0 in January, Rangers have now won back-to-back league matches against Celtic for the first time since August 2021 under Steven Gerrard.

And Barry Ferguson could not have asked for a better taste of the Old Firm as a manager; not since Ally McCoist in 2011 has a Rangers boss won their first league meeting with their fierce rivals.

Celtic may consider themselves unfortunate given Johnston’s last-gasp miss, and Brendan Rodgers’ team did create the slightly better chances, registering 1.64 expected goals to Rangers’ 1.23, but the Hoops can take solace in the fact they are 13 points clear at the summit.