Rangers were depleted but it was a victory they deserved against a Celtic side who, until kick-off, 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 had been rampant but they came to a shuddering halt at Ibrox as they failed to show any of the tempo and desire that has propelled them into a commanding lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
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?
Boyd: Rangers must back this up
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Ianis Hagi gave Rangers an early lead
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd on Sky Sports:
“Away from home, Rangers have been nowhere near good enough. Ibrox has not been the problem, European football on Thursday nights has not been the problem. It’s been away from home that has cost Rangers so far 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.”
Lennon: Celtic thrashing like a ‘clip around the ear’
Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon on Sky Sports:
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Neil Lennon reacts to Celtic’s defeat away at Rangers in the Old Firm Derby
“The key is whether this is a catalyst for a good second half of the season for Rangers. Let’s get it right, the first half of the season was nowhere near good enough. That performance today was excellent from the goalkeeper through to the striker.
“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, this will be a clip around the ear and they will go again. There was a bit of apathy going into this game but the Rangers fans will go away delighted by what they’ve seen today.
“From Celtic’s point of view, it’s a reset.”
Rangers condemn coin-throwing
Celtic’s Arne Engels was struck by a coin at Ibrox
Celtic substitute Arne Engels was struck by a coin thrown by a Rangers fan towards the end of their victory at Ibrox.
The club’s record signing appeared to be struck just above the eye as he prepared to take a corner with a police officer immediately bagging it up for evidence.
A Rangers spokesman said: “Rangers FC condemns this incident in the strongest possible terms.
“The club can confirm it will assist Police Scotland with their investigation.”