Rangers player ratings in 3-0 win vs Celtic

Rangers recorded a vital 3-0 victory over Celtic in the first Old Firm derby of 2025 with a hugely-improved all-round performance.

Despite many questioning the future of ‘Gers boss Philippe Clement if they were beaten at Ibrox in this game on Thursday (2 January), it was the hosts who enjoyed a dominant first-half.

They took the lead just seven minutes into the game, when Ianis Hagi fired a low effort into the bottom corner from long-range, which proved enough to give them a half-time advantage.

Celtic though did improve after the break and were denied an equaliser eight minutes into the second half when an excellent chest and volleyed finish from Kyogo Furuhashi was ruled out for offside.

Rangers though should then have doubled their advantage, as Vaclav Cerny broke in behind the Celtic defence only to hit the inside of the post from a tight angle, with the ball bouncing back out and away.

Five minutes after the hour-mark, the hosts did have their second. After Cerny won and took a corner, and initial free header was saved by Kasper Schmeichel, only for Robin Propper to fire in the rebound.

Clement’s side then netted a third to seal an excellent win in the final ten minutes of normal time, when a ball into the box from Jefte deflected into the path of substitute Jefte, who fired in from close range.

Here’s how Football Insider rated the performance of the Rangers squad against Celtic on Thursday (2 December).

Liam Kelly – 6

A rare appearance with Jack Butland absent. Had little to do other than one good save on the stroke of half-time.

Ridvan Yilmaz – 8

Thrust into an unfamiliar right-back position but did well to keep Daizen Maeda quiet and looked a threat when going forward.

Dujon Sterling – 8

Covered plenty of ground at centre-back and made some important contributions in shutting down Celtic as they looked to get back into the game early in the second half.

Robin Propper – 7

Occasionally needed Sterling to help him out defensively, but finished clinically to give Rangers their all important second goal.

Robin Propper finally arrives for Rangers

Jefte (off for Fraser, ’90+1) – 5

One player who did look exposed for the hosts at in the opening 45 minutes, and was booked just before the break for an elbow on Nicolas Kuhn.

Mohammed Diomande – 8

Did brilliantly to control things in the centre of the park for the hosts, and produced one outstanding run and pass in the first half that deserved to earn him an assist.

Nicolas Raskin (off for Barron, ’90+4) – 7

Captained Rangers in the absence of James Tavernier and also put himself about in midfield, but was follishly booked for an argument with Callum McGregor on the stroke of half-time.

Vaclav Cerny – 8

Not the most influential game he has had but did look a threat at times. Forced and took the corner that led to the second goal.

Nedim Bajrami (off for Danilo, ’80) – 7

Contributed to his side putting plenty of pressure on the Celtic defence but wasn’t as directly influential as some of his teammates.

Ianis Hagi enjoys an Old Firm derby to remember

Ianis Hagi (off for Cortes, ’90+5) – 9 – Man of the Match

Got things going for Rangers with his well-placed finish into the bottom corner, and was a constant livewire for the hosts as they offered very little respite for the visiting defence.

Hamza Igmane (off for Dessers, ’90+4) – 6

Made some decent runs into the area but was unable to really get too involved in the clear chances, which may be frustrating for the centre-forward.

Substitutes

Danilo (on for Bajrami, ’80) – 7

Took his chance very well to make it 3-0 and put the icing on the cake for Clement’s side.

Robbie Fraser (on for Jefte, ’90+1) – 6

Not much for him to do after coming on for the five minutes of stoppage time.

Connor Barron (on for Raskin, ’90+4) – 6

An easy and brief outing as the game came to a close.

Cyriel Dessers (on for Igamane, ’90+4) – 6

No time for him to make an impact on the game before the final whistle.

Oscar Cortes (where Hagi, ’90+5) – 6

Came off the bench for the last few seconds only.

In other news, Rangers have agreed a deal worth over £20million.

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