Scottish Premiership
Saturday, December 30, 2023
Celtic Park, Glasgow

CELTIC… 2
(Bernardo 24, Kyogo 46)

RANGERS… 1
(Tavernier 87)

Brendan Rodgers side produced a superb performance to sign off 2023 with a dominant derby win at Celtic Park.

Goals from Paulo Bernardo and Kyogo gave the Hoops a well-deserved win, with captain Callum McGregor producing a Man of the Match performance in the heart of the Celtic midfield to inspire his team-mates.

Celtic started on the front foot and after just five minutes, Kyogo latched on to a ball over the top from Callum McGregor, and from a tight angle, the striker forced a save from Jack Buckland at his near post.

At the other end, Ross McCausland managed to cut a ball across the six-yard box, but Joe Hart did well to block it with his feet before the ball was cleared.

On 11 minutes, Celtic came close to the opener when Luis Palma curled a ball into the box. Bernardo rose highest but his header went just wide.

The Portuguese midfielder came even closer with a shot from the edge of the box on 22 minutes after Celtic had forced the Rangers defence into a mistake.

But just two minutes later, he made no mistake with an effort inside the box to give the Hoops a 1-0 win. Palma’s dangerous corner into the box fell to Bernardo, and he smashed the ball home, sending Paradise into raptures.

Just after the half-hour mark, Rangers had a chance to equalise when Cyriel Dessers latched on to a mistake from Alistair Johnston, but the Canadian redeemed himself, edging out the attacker inside the area as he got set to shoot.

On 34 minutes, Brendan Rodgers was forced to make a change, with Stephen Welsh picking up an injury and having to be replaced by Maik Nawrocki.

McCausland again looked to cause problems when he latched on to a long ball from the keeper, but the Celtic defence stood firm, while on 41 minutes, Joe Hart denied the Rangers attacker, saving his shot before the ball was cleared.

McGregor midfield masterclass inspires Celtic to dominant derby win