Rangers were exhausted, but it was a victory they deserved against a Celtic team who, until the start, looked unbeatable in the Scottish Premiership.
Philippe Clement ended his Old Firm hoodoo with a result he felt they also deserved in last month’s League Cup final, but how much can they make it count going into the second half of the season?
Celtic were rampant, but they were almost sensitive to Ibrox, as they showed no pace or preference that propelled them to a commanding lead at the head of the Scottish First Minister.
While a title challenge may still be out of Rangers’ reach, will this be a result that transforms their season? And will Brendan Rodgers recover instantly after his first defeat of the season and his second ever in an Old Firm game?
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd on Sky Sports:
“Away from home, Rangers haven’t been smart enough. Ibrox was not the problem, European football on Thursday night was not the problem. It was away from home that cost Rangers dearly this season.
“We’ve seen performances like this but they have to back this up. They will be at Easter Road, Dens Park the following week. These are the games that will tell us more.
“I can enjoy tonight but then I think the reality will set in that you’re still 11 points behind, but taking nothing away from Rangers I thought to a man they were excellent today.
“They asked players to come in, we said at the top of the show there might be an opportunity for players who hadn’t been playing to come in and stake a claim – I thought Ridvan Yilmaz was excellent, I thought Dujon Sterling and Robin Propper played like proper defenders – alright they weren’t asked a lot by Celtic – and Jefte was up and down all day.
“Nicolas Raskin was outstanding, Vaclav Cerny and Ianis Hagi with that little bit of quality. It’s a good day for Rangers but you then think to yourself where has this team been? We have seen it in glimpses.”
The former Celta Neil Lennon in Sky Sports:
“The key is whether this supplies a catalyst for a smart moment part of the season for Rangers. Let’s be clear, the first part of the season nowhere close to smart enough. This functionality today excellent, from the goalkeeper to the attacker.
“They created a lot of chances and there was a flow to them, but it’s one game. The key now is if they can go to Easter Road on Sunday and have the same mindset to be consistent to close the gap on Celtic.
“For Celtic, it will be a clip around the ear and they will start again. There is a bit of apathy before this attack, but Rangers fans will leave very happy with what they saw today.
“From the point of view of Celtic, it is a restart. “
Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton on Sky Sports:
“Everything that can happen has happened for Celtic. It is difficult to maintain the winning streak they have had. We take it for granted and Celtic, except for the Dortmund game, have been outstanding.
“Where would Celtic need to be? Eleven problems are a massive gap. Today is a day off and eventually they will locate their form. “
Police in Scotland are investigating the incident of Ibrox when Celta Arne Engels replaced a coin.
This happened towards the end of the Rangers’ victory, the midfielder hit himself just above the eye as he was about to shoot a corner.
The coin was immediately passed onto a police officer by referee Don Robertson.
A Rangers spokesman said: “The FC Rangers condemns this incident as far as possible.
“The club can verify that it will give a hand to Scotland from the police in its investigation. “
Police Scotland said “enquiries are ongoing” into the matter, while Celtic said they were “appalled” by the behaviour.
“We, Police Scotland, are currently investigating two separate incidents,” a Celtic spokesperson added.
“The repeated targeting of our players and with missiles is completely appalling and absolutely unacceptable. “