Celtic’s crisis deepened on Saturday as Rangers produced a second-half comeback to win 3-1 in the Old Firm derby, leaving the teams level on points and heaping further pressure on manager Wilfried Nancy. Rangers goals from Youssef Chermiti, who struck twice, and Mikey Moore overturned Yang Hyun-jun’s stunning opener.
Nancy has now lost six of his eight games in charge, with 18 goals conceded. His position is widely regarded as untenable, with supporters directing sustained abuse at the club’s directors during the match. Former manager Martin O’Neill, who took temporary charge and won seven of eight, has been suggested as a possible rescuer.
Celtic dominated the first half, with Yang lashing the ball into the roof of the net after a surging run. Johnny Kenny and Auston Trusty missed chances to extend the lead. But Rangers manager Danny Röhl made a tactical adjustment at the break, which he described as a “change to the press”.
Rangers then took control. Chermiti equalised after Nicolas Raskin’s cutback, then capitalised on an Anthony Ralston error to race clear and score. Moore added a third after collecting Djeidi Gassama’s pass. Celtic midfielder Luke McCowan said his team could not handle Rangers’ shape change.
The absence of captain Callum McGregor from media duties has also been noted, with the midfielder linked to a reunion with Brendan Rodgers in Saudi Arabia. Rangers, who endured a difficult spell under Russell Martin earlier in the season, now look serious title contenders.
