Rangers secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Celtic at Parkhead in an intense Old Firm derby, marking a significant moment in their season under interim manager Barry Ferguson. Despite Celtic’s dominant position at the top of the Scottish Premiership, this win provided Rangers with a morale boost and bragging rights in the city.
Match Summary
The game started with Rangers displaying aggressive intent. Nicolas Raskin put them ahead with a well-taken finish, followed by Mohamed Diomande doubling the lead with a composed strike. Celtic, however, responded in the second half, showing their champion mentality. Daizen Maeda pulled one back before Reo Hatate equalized, sending the home crowd into raptures.
With the game seemingly heading for a draw, substitute Hamza Igamane stepped up in the 88th minute to score the winner for Rangers, sending the away fans into a frenzy. It was a defining moment for Ferguson, who became the first Rangers manager since Walter Smith in 1991 to win his debut Old Firm match.
Vaclav Cerny’s Controversial Celebration
Amid the excitement of the late winner, a moment involving Rangers winger Vaclav Cerny stole the headlines. In the aftermath of Igamane’s goal, Cerny celebrated by spraying water towards the Celtic fans, which caused a furious reaction from the home support. The act led to social media uproar, with Rangers fans hailing it as a hilarious moment, while Celtic fans were left seething.
The incident quickly went viral, with videos circulating of the moment Cerny turned back with a smirk after soaking the Celtic fans. While some fans took it as harmless banter, others viewed it as incitement, with some even calling for disciplinary action.
Reactions from Both Sides
Rangers supporters found the incident amusing, with some dubbing Cerny a “cult hero” and others joking that he should be signed permanently for his antics alone. Ally McCoist even chimed in on the debate, suggesting that Cerny should be “knighted” for his actions, adding a humorous spin to the post-match discussions.
On the other hand, Celtic fans were not as entertained. Some demanded that Cerny be punished, with suggestions that he had committed an act of “assault” by spraying water. A few even speculated that the Czech winger might face retaliation at future away games.
What This Means for the Season
Despite the result, Celtic remains firmly in control of the title race, holding a 13-point lead over Rangers with just eight games left in the season. However, the win provides Rangers with some much-needed optimism as they look to rebuild under Ferguson.
For Celtic, the loss is a rare setback in a dominant campaign, but Brendan Rodgers will likely focus on finishing the season strong and securing yet another domestic treble.
Looking Ahead
The aftermath of the derby will keep discussions going in Scottish football circles, especially with the SFA potentially reviewing Cerny’s actions. Whether any disciplinary action follows remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—this Old Firm clash will be remembered not just for the goals, but for the water-spraying antics of Vaclav Cerny.
For more details, you can check out the full match report and post-match reactions:
The Guardian – Celtic 2-3 Rangers: Old Firm updates
TalkSport – Celtic fans held back by police as Rangers win
Scottish Sun – Ally McCoist wants Cerny knighted