Kyogo Furuhashi’s gorgeous strike earned Celtic a 1-0 victory at Ibrox within the first Previous Agency recreation of the season after Rangers noticed two early objectives disallowed.
Rabbi Matondo’s effort contained in the opening minute was dominated out for offside earlier than Kemar Roofe’s aim was controversially disallowed for a foul within the build-up.
Kyogo, who handed up two early alternatives, then smashed the ball into the web from exterior the field to silence the house crowd simply earlier than the break.
Rangers had possibilities via Sam Lammers and Danilo however couldn’t discover a well beyond the defending champions who transfer 4 factors forward of them and two factors clear on the high of the Scottish Premiership desk going into the worldwide break.
Ought to Roofe’s aim have been disallowed? The Sky Sports activities pundits give their verdicts
Kris Boyd: “It’s a surprising resolution. How that may be introduced again for a foul is unbelievable. Lagerbielke is caught on the ball and Dessers wins it again. Don Robertson needs to be stronger after being despatched to the pitchside monitor.”
Neil Lennon: “I believe Celtic are lucky. However l assume it is a foul.”
James McFadden: “By the legal guidelines of the sport, it is a foul.”
Kenny Miller: “It’s ridiculous if he provides a foul for that. That is not a free-kick.”
Celtic lay down marker in title race
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Kyogo scores Celtic’s opening aim towards Rangers
Brendan Rodgers solely misplaced as soon as towards 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 nearly 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 likelihood to attain quickly after as he discovered himself via on aim 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 beautiful cross from Dessers, however as soon as once more VAR intervened with this one disallowed for a foul on Gustaf Lagerbielke within the build-up.
With an air of nervousness round Ibrox, Greg Taylor switched off, permitting Cantwell to ship a cross to the again submit however Hart was there to say the ball.
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Kemar Roofe’s strike for Rangers was disallowed after VAR determined Cyriel Dessers had fouled Gustaf Lagerbielke within the build-up
One other Celtic defensive lapse handed Matondo an excellent likelihood however the Rangers man despatched his shot effectively over.
The guests then lastly took their likelihood in devastating type simply earlier than half-time as Kyogo smashed the ball previous Jack Butland from exterior of the field.
Ibrox fell silent earlier than the boos rang out on the half-time whistle.
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Kyogo fires in from the sting of the field to provide Celtic the lead at Ibrox
Goldson’s poor clearance nearly gifted Celtic a second simply after the break. Abada despatched a ball throughout aim 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 last ball lacked high quality.
The Hoops then caught Rangers on the break as Kyogo charged via on aim however he spurned one other likelihood because the ball went over.
Either side rang the modifications with triple substitutions simply after the hour mark because the Rangers help as soon as once more made their emotions clear.
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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 submit.
Lammers then wasted his likelihood to drag Michael Beale’s aspect degree when he hit the side-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 say victory of their first assembly of the season.
What’s subsequent?
The Scottish Premiership takes a world break with Rangers returning to motion away to St Johnstone on September 16, reside on Sky Sports activities. Kick-off 12.30pm.
Celtic are at house to Dundee on the identical day. That recreation kicks off at 3pm.