Rangers' Second Win Over Celtic: A Turning Point in the Premiership
Rangers’ second win over Celtic in the space of a week has done more than slash the gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership to two points. It has lit a fire under their support.
The reaction from fans is raw, loud and, in some cases, ruthless.
“The beginning for Rangers – the beginning of the end for Celtic”
Derek did not bother with restraint. For him, this feels like a turning of the tide.
"It's the beginning for Rangers and the beginning of the end for Celtic," he declared, sensing a team finally matching its support’s demands. What stands out to him is not just the scoreline, but the identity: work rate, physicality, direct running and a visible togetherness.
Ryan Naderi, leading the line, has become the symbol of that shift. Derek calls him “superb up front” and the embodiment of the new message under Derek McInnes. Behind him, Olwethu Makhanya already looks like a coup. “An incredible signing and unflappable,” Derek says, the kind of defender Rangers fans have been crying out for.
Silencing Parkhead
Louise arrived at this one with a question many Rangers fans shared: could they really do it again?
They could – and did.
"I had wondered if a repeat of last weekend was possible, but what a performance again from Rangers," she said. For her, it was not a smash-and-grab. It was control. She picked out Makhanya and Naderi as “both excellent”, but it was Dan Neil who, in her eyes, dictated the tempo in midfield.
At the back, she felt this was “probably Dujon Sterling's best performance in a Rangers shirt”, a display of composure and aggression on a day that demanded both.
Louise went further. With a sharper edge in the final third, she believes the scoreline could have been brutal. “If we had taken our chances and had a bit more quality in the final third it could have been a cricket score,” she argued. One goal, though, was enough “to silence Parkhead”.
What excites her most is the maturity. “This team have grown up very quickly,” she said, convinced they have now shown their true level. The message to the board and the support is clear: McInnes has earned time. “Derek McInnes has made his mark as Rangers manager now and whatever happens next, we must let him build on it.”
Midfield masters and missed lessons
Sally’s focus was on the engine room. Last week, she saw Dan Neil run the show. This time, she felt Nico Raskin grabbed the game.
“Last week it was Dan Neil running the midfield, this week it was Nico Raskin,” she said, underlining the depth of influence Rangers now have in that area. Up top, Naderi again drew praise – “outstanding upfront” – while Djeidi Gassama’s near-miss stuck in her mind. His effort, she felt, deserved more than the cruel bounce it got.
Her surprise came on the touchline. Not from McInnes, but from the other dugout.
“I was surprised McInnes did not change his tactics and that Celtic did not learn from last week's result,” she admitted. Same plan, same problems for Celtic. Same outcome.
Makhanya wins over the doubters
Chris held his hands up. He was not convinced by Makhanya when the defender first arrived. That doubt is evaporating quickly.
"Wasn't too sure of Makhanya when he first signed," he admitted, before watching the South African turn an Old Firm clash into what he described as “a kick about in the back garden with the kids”. Calm, dominant, unfazed.
The disallowed goal only sharpened the impression. “The finish for his disallowed goal was absolutely stunning too,” Chris added, a reminder that Makhanya brings more than just defensive steel.
Two wins, two statements, and a title race now crackling with tension. Rangers have dragged themselves to within touching distance. Celtic have been warned.
