Rangers secure second consecutive Old Firm victory as Celtic's woes deepen
Rangers beat Celtic 1-0 at Celtic Park, giving manager Derek McInnes back-to-back wins over their rivals for the first time since 1986. Celtic manager Martin O'Neill faces mounting problems, with his team outplayed and outmuscled. The result leaves Rangers three points behind Celtic in the league.
McInnes's win marks a historic milestone, as no Rangers boss had won their first two derbies since Graeme Souness in 1986. Despite this, he stayed stoic, calling it a modest three-point gain that leaves Rangers three behind Celtic. Rangers were organized but not ruthless, failing to convert dominance into a larger margin.
O'Neill's side continues to unravel, with a 5-1 Champions League thrashing by LASK and a 3-0 League Cup defeat preceding this loss. His lineup choices—starting Luke McCowan and Sam Johnstone—backfired, while the absence of wingers like Yang Hyun-jun exposes a thin squad. The board's failure to deliver robust midfielders and dynamic wingers has left the team physically and mentally fragile.
This result could intensify pressure on Martin O'Neill, potentially accelerating a managerial change that would reshape Celtic's season and the Scottish title race. Rangers' newfound confidence may galvanize their supporters and attract positive attention, while Celtic fans face growing disillusionment. The wider impact could be a shift in the league's competitive balance, affecting sponsorship, broadcast interest, and player recruitment. However, the season is long, and Celtic's financial resources could still allow a recovery if the board responds decisively.