The much-anticipated Old Firm Derby between Rangers and Celtic took an unforeseen turn as Celtic swiftly secured the lead a mere 21 seconds into the game, courtesy of a ‘freak’ goal from Daizen Maeda at Ibrox.
Heading into the final meeting of the sides in the league, Celtic were leading their arch rivals by a single point and were aiming to secure their third consecutive title. The intense rivalry between the two teams was further fuelled by comments made by Ally McCoist prior to the match, which were deemed as reckless and irresponsible by Chris Sutton.
The initial moments of the game witnessed Celtic stunning the crowd at Ibrox with their fast goal, catching Rangers off guard. Daizen Maeda capitalized on an error from James Tavernier, resulting in an unusual opener for Celtic. Despite the speed of the strike, it did not surpass the record for the quickest goal in Old Firm history, held by Chris Sutton with a remarkable 19-second goal in a previous match.
The match unfolded against the backdrop of Celtic’s recent form, which has not been as dominant as in previous seasons. However, their winning streak leading up to the Old Firm Derby had placed them in a strong position. Meanwhile, Rangers have faced challenges in their performance, securing only one win in their last 12 championship matches. This is a significant contrast to their historical achievements, particularly as they now only maintain a two-point lead over Celtic in terms of all-time tally of championships 53.
The turning point in the game arrived in the 34th minute when Matt O’Riley confidently converted a penalty, further extending Celtic’s lead. The penalty was awarded after Connor Goldson was deemed to have committed a handball in the area, allowing O’Riley to deliver a composed finish past Rangers’ goalkeeper Jack Butland.
In conclusion, Celtic’s lightning start in the Old Firm Derby against Rangers set the stage for an eventful match, with both teams aiming to secure a pivotal victory. The derby serves as a testament to the rich history and intense rivalry between the two sides, and fans eagerly await the next chapter in this compelling football saga.