Kyogo Furuhashi’s beautiful strike earned Celtic a 1-0 victory at Ibrox within the first Old Firm recreation of the season after Rangers noticed two early targets disallowed.
Rabbi Matondo’s effort contained in the opening minute was dominated out for offside earlier than Kemar Roofe’s purpose was controversially disallowed for a foul within the construct-up.
Kyogo, who handed up two early alternatives, then smashed the ball into the web from outdoors the field to silence the house crowd simply earlier than the break.
Rangers had probabilities via Sam Lammers and Danilo however couldn’t discover a well past the defending champions who transfer 4 factors forward of them and two factors clear on the prime of the Scottish Premiership desk going into the worldwide break.
Should Roofe’s purpose have been disallowed? The Sky Sports pundits give their verdicts
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Kemar Roofe’s strike for Rangers was disallowed after VAR determined Cyriel Dessers had fouled Gustaf Lagerbielke within the construct-up
Lagerbielke insisted Dessers’ problem on him was a foul
Kris Boyd: “It is a shocking decision. How that can be brought back for a foul is incredible. Lagerbielke is caught on the ball and Dessers wins it back. Don Robertson has to be stronger after being sent to the pitchside monitor.”
Neil Lennon: “I think Celtic are fortunate. But l think it’s a foul.”
Neil Lennon and James McFadden disagree with Kris Boyd on whether or not Roofe’s purpose ought to have been disallowed by VAR
James McFadden: “By the laws of the game, it’s a foul.”
Kenny Miller: “It is ridiculous if he gives a foul for that. That’s not a free-kick.”
Celtic lay down marker in title race
Kyogo scores Celtic’s purpose in opposition to Rangers simply earlier than the break
Brendan Rodgers solely misplaced as soon as in opposition to Rangers throughout his first spell at Celtic and it was a nervy begin for the supervisor as Matondo fired house from Cyriel Dessers’ ball contained in the opening minute for Rangers, however the offside flag was up.
A protracted ball excessive from Todd Cantwell virtually launched Dessers minutes later however Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart reacted to clear the hazard.
Rangers dominated the opening levels however Celtic got here near the opener within the 18th minute when Callum McGregor’s ball discovered Liel Abada. The winger despatched in a harmful cross however Kyogo couldn’t get his shot away.
The Japanese striker then had an ideal probability to attain quickly after as he discovered himself via on purpose however his hesitation allowed Connor Goldson to dam his shot.
Roofe then thought he had fired Rangers forward within the twenty eighth minute after a stunning cross from Dessers, however as soon as once more VAR intervened with this one disallowed for his foul on Lagerbielke within the construct-up.
With an air of nervousness round Ibrox, Greg Taylor switched off, permitting Cantwell to ship a cross to the again put up however Hart was there to assert the ball.
Another Celtic defensive lapse handed Matondo an excellent probability however the Rangers man despatched his shot effectively over.
The guests then lastly took their probability in devastating type simply earlier than half-time as Kyogo smashed the ball previous Jack Butland from outdoors of the field.
Ibrox fell silent earlier than the boos rang out on the half-time whistle.
Kyogo fires in from the sting of the field to provide Celtic the lead at Ibrox
Goldson’s poor clearance virtually gifted Celtic a second simply after the break. Abada despatched a ball throughout purpose however, with Daizen Maeda inches from connecting, Butland turned it away.
Rangers went trying to find an equaliser and Cantwell despatched a promising ball to Dessers whose ultimate ball lacked high quality.
The Hoops then caught Rangers on the break as Kyogo charged via on purpose however he spurned one other probability because the ball went over.
Both sides rang the adjustments with triple substitutions simply after the hour mark because the Rangers help as soon as once more made their emotions clear.
Sam Lammers ought to have equalised for Rangers
After Goldson headed onto the roof of the web, Odin Holm despatched a strong drive in direction of Butland on the different finish earlier than Rangers substitute Danilo curled an effort previous the put up.
Lammers then wasted his probability to tug Michael Beale’s aspect degree when he hit the aspect-netting after taking the ball round Hart.
Rangers appealed for a penalty after Cantwell went down within the field however there was nothing within the problem from Maeda.
Hart then reacted effectively to disclaim Danilo twice in fast succession as Celtic held on to assert victory of their first assembly of the season.
Boyd stated shedding a house Old Firm recreation will not be ok and the critics can be out for Michael Beale’s group
What’s subsequent?
The Scottish Premiership takes a global break with Rangers returning to motion away to St Johnstone on September 16, dwell on Sky Sports. Kick-off 12.30pm.
Celtic are at house to Dundee on the identical day. That recreation kicks off at 3pm.
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