Reo Hatate salvaged a late level for Celtic in a 2-2 draw with Rangers after an excellent second-half comeback to maintain their Scottish Premiership title hopes alive.
Youssef Chermiti’s beautiful first-half double appeared set to ship Rangers cruising to victory, however they failed to carry onto all three factors in opposition to their fierce rivals.
Rangers took the lead within the eighth minute. Celtic misplaced the ball deep in their very own half, switching it to Andreas Skov Olsen on the suitable, and Chermiti met his cross with an excellent overhead kick that left Viljami Sinisalo helpless.
Chermiti then struck the skin of the suitable submit with a tight-angled effort earlier than getting his second 26 minutes in. Celtic have been far and wide on the again as Dane Murray utterly missed a clearance, and the Rangers striker held off Julian Araujo to fit in.
Emmanuel Fernandez headed vast as Rangers completed the half on prime, however Martin O’Neill shook issues up on the break with the introduction of Hatate, who was the primary to check Jack Butland.
Kieran Tierney pulled one again for Celtic within the 56th minute, nodding in from Benjamin Nygren’s cross to present the guests hope.
And their stress ultimately become an equaliser after Dujon Sterling was penalised for a handball within the field following a VAR assessment.
Butland saved Hatate’s tame, low effort and the rebound, however after palming it straight again to him once more, the Japan worldwide made no mistake on the third go.
Factors shared in Glasgow
#RANCEL | #CelticFC pic.twitter.com/piXha72KVD— Celtic Soccer Membership (@CelticFC) March 1, 2026
Information Debrief: Celtic combat to the top
Earlier than Sunday, O’Neill’s final Previous Agency derby on the Ibrox was again in April 2005, however even with an excellent turnaround, Celtic nonetheless fell in need of a win.
The Hoops have solely gained two of their final 13 away video games at Rangers in all competitions (D5 L6), however after a dismal first half, they made amends after the break.
Celtic completed on prime, having 17 photographs value 2.24 anticipated objectives (xG), with seven of these on track, although three of these got here from the late penalty.
Rangers acquired simply three of their 12 makes an attempt on track, however even after dropping factors, they continue to be two factors forward of Celtic within the desk, simply six behind Hearts because the title race continues to warmth up.
