Danny Rohl clinched his first Old Firm victory as Rangers came from behind to win at Parkhead. The German has guided his side to level on points with Celtic in the Premiership standings with a statement of intent victory.
Celtic ended the first half with a 1-0 lead thanks to a terrific Yang strike. It should have been more, however, as Wilfried Nancy's side dominated proceedings.
Youssef Chermiti scored his first derby goal five minutes after the break. And he then doubled his tally as he capitalised on suspect Celtic defending to give Rohl's side the lead.
It was one that Rangers extended thanks to a fine strike from Mikey Moore. A 3-1 win was the latest twist in this remarkable Premiership campaign.
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A show of intent from Rangers and Rohl
Rangers were eight points behind Celtic after eight games. Today, they sit level in the Premiership standings. This was the biggest afternoon of Rohl’s career as a coach in his own right and he earned a statement win, three points that were so much more important than just three points.
Is this squad perfect? Of course it is not. Aspects of this performance once again showed its limitations. Now it needs to be strengthened in the right areas. If Rangers can add a couple, well who knows what is possible now?
Two meetings with Aberdeen next week round off this tranche of fixtures. It was always going to be a defining run, if not a decisive one. The defeat at Tynecastle felt like a balloon being burst but Rohl has breathed fresh life into this team and this campaign.
Rangers cannot be considered favourites for the title. But they are certainly contenders. That in itself shows the job that Rohl has done. He will know that the hard work is only just beginning.
It just had to be him, didn't it?
Rohl teased the prospect of Chermiti writing a ‘fantastic story’ when he spoke on Friday morning. The head coach pointed to the work in his overall game, the way he has linked the play and been the focal point of the attack of late. The missing bit? Goals, of course.
The first 45 ended with the Portuguese barely getting a sniff. When he was involved, he was on the periphery as the Celtic defence snuffed out whatever meek threat Rangers posed.
His cross that Moore converted was meaningless after he was so clearly offside in the build-up. Earlier, the flag had gone up against him from a free-kick wide on the right. It was lazy forward play.
🤯 “EXTRAORDINARY.”
Youssef Chermiti has turned this game on its head.
pic.twitter.com/MeE1ytuufB— The Rangers Review (@RangersReview55) January 3, 2026
His inexperience had shown by that stage as well. Another dead ball situation allowed Rangers to pack the area and Chermiti was involved in handbags as players jostled for position. Moore, the youngest player in the side, was the one who ushered him away and told him to use his head.
Five minutes after the break, he was in the right place at the right time to six from inside the six yard box. Perhaps it was written in the stars after all.
Minutes later, he was the hero. Trusty gave Chermiti the freedom of Parkhead and the striker made the most of it, beating Schmeichel after advancing into the area. Just days after being applauded off at Ibrox, Chermiti's name was sung at Ibrox.
From zeros to heroes in the final third
A cross from Djeidi Gassama, scooped high, long and aimlessly into nowhere, set the tone for Rangers in the final third. The first half was a truly inept attacking display, with the set-piece delivery from Connor Barron summing up his performance. Still, at least he can run about.
Gassama saw Kasper Schmeichel get a hand to his chipped effort after he collected the ball in behind the Celtic defence. On the stroke of half-time, Moore had the ball in the net by the offside flag had already been raised. Rangers did not even deserve zero at that stage.
💁♂️ Mikey Moore makes it 3-1 at Parkhead. pic.twitter.com/jOO61sKiPh
— The Rangers Review (@RangersReview55) January 3, 2026
Rangers looked more likely to concede again than to equalise. In keeping with this rollercoaster campaign, of course they pulled themselves level. And it had to be Chermiti, the Portuguese finishing from close range after Nico Raskin burst down the right channel.
Not content with one, Chermiti soon doubled his tally. What a day this was for the forward. Out of nowhere, Rangers were ahead.
Soon, they had victory within their grasps. Moore had time and space and made the most of it, a finish from right to left beating Schmeichel. The turnaround was complete and the win was secured.
Celtic should have been out of sight
The only positive for Rohl at the break was that Celtic were only one goal ahead. In truth, they should have been out of sight. The strike from Yang exploded off his foot and went straight through Jack Butland. You can perhaps point fingers at the keeper. You can certainly point them at those in front of him as Yang waltzed into the area.
Butland made a smart stop to deny Jonny Kenny just before the opening goal. After it, he thwarted Kenny again, kept out Yang at his near post before Manny Fernandez cleared off the line and held a Luke McCowan header. Add in a McCowan effort early on and a header that Auston Trusty should have scored from and you get the idea of how dominant Celtic were.
Butland smothered Daizen Maeda at his near post and then tipped a Yang header over. Celtic may have lost a goal, but they still looked likely to score one. That didn't last long, however. Chermiti netted twice, Moore clinched the win and Butland stood tall and firm in the closing stages as Celtic ran out of ideas.
Half-time switch changed the game
The performances of Rohl’s men in the first half could be compartmentalised into a couple of areas. There were those who didn’t want the ball, those who couldn’t pass the ball and those who fell into both camps. While Celtic knocked it about, Rangers looked like they were being given a live grenade.
Rohl called for a ‘brave’ showing from his side. That doesn't mean putting your head in where it hurts or going in for a 50-50 tackle. Bravery is in taking responsibility. You take the ball, you own it, you use it. Instead, Rangers were scared, overawed, the occasion too big for them and the lack of quality there for all to see.
Aasgaard encapsulated that. An early booking for a needless pull of McCowan’s jersey nullified him in a defensive sense. Not that he is renowned for his work off the ball, anyway. In possession, he was slow and wasteful and he was fortunate to make it as far as the interval before being replaced by Mohamed Diomande.
The midfielder has not exactly hit the heights this term but his introduction and influence made a huge difference. Whatever Rohl said at the break, it certainly worked.
The second half was much more like it. Rangers were composed, had more control and were largely comfortable. The turnaround was remarkable, almost unthinkable.
Nobody at Parkhead saw this coming. Nancy headed for the sanctuary of the dressing room as Rohl took the acclaim of the away end. He had earned that moment.
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