Barry Ferguson’s Rangers Stun Celtic at Parkhead to Secure First League Win There Since 2020
Barry Ferguson took his second major managerial scalp in just a matter of days as his Rangers side stunned Celtic with a dramatic 3-2 victory at Parkhead in the Scottish Premiership on March 16, 2025.
After dumping Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce out of the Europa League following an exhausting 120 minutes and penalty shootout in midweek, Ferguson’s Rangers showed no signs of fatigue as they overran Brendan Rodgers’ side in the first half before sealing victory with a late winner from Hamza Igamane.
This win marked Rangers’ first league victory at Celtic Park in five years and sent a clear message that the Ibrox club, despite being in a period of transition, can still deliver on the biggest stage.
Brendan Rodgers’ Pre-Match Words Come Back to Haunt Him
Before the match, Brendan Rodgers had been bullish about Celtic’s chances, insisting his side would look much different from the one that was humbled 3-0 at Ibrox earlier in the season. He also dismissed Barry Ferguson’s impact as Rangers’ interim boss, claiming he had seen “no great change” in their style of play since Philippe Clement’s departure.
Rodgers stated:
“I don’t know Barry, but I know him as a player and I know that he’ll have a great connection with his supporters. His history at the club, his success at the club – he was a fantastic player for them.”
“For me, if I look purely at the coaching aspect of it, over the course of four games, I don’t see great change. I’ve seen the team change the system. Absolutely, a really good tactical change to go 5-4-1 at Fenerbahce. But I still see a lot of the same traits – some very good performances, some inconsistencies.”
However, those words came back to bite the Celtic boss as Ferguson masterminded a performance full of energy, tactical discipline, and attacking intent.
Rangers Shock Celtic with Stunning First-Half Performance
Despite being physically drained from their Europa League heroics in Turkey, Rangers came flying out of the blocks at Parkhead, catching Celtic completely off guard.
Just 15 minutes into the game, Rangers struck first blood when Nicolas Raskin pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the box and rifled a shot into the bottom corner, sending the traveling Gers supporters wild.
The home side looked shell-shocked, struggling to match Rangers’ intensity. Celtic’s attempts to build attacks were constantly disrupted by Rangers’ aggressive pressing, a hallmark of Ferguson’s leadership so far.
Then, in the 37th minute, Mohamed Diomande doubled Rangers’ lead. The Ibrox side capitalized on slack defending from Celtic, with the midfielder coolly slotting past Joe Hart, leaving the Hoops trailing 2-0 at home before halftime.
The scoreline at the break was a damning indictment of Celtic’s first-half performance, with Rodgers’ side completely overrun in midfield and defensively exposed.
Celtic’s Second-Half Comeback and Rangers’ Resilience
A response from Celtic was inevitable, and they began the second half with renewed urgency. The Hoops dominated possession, pinning Rangers back and forcing them deeper into their own half.
In the 53rd minute, Celtic got themselves back into the contest when Daizen Maeda latched onto a precise through ball and fired past Jack Butland to make it 2-1.
With Parkhead roaring them on, Celtic continued to pile on the pressure, and in the 67th minute, they found their equalizer. Reo Hatate unleashed a powerful long-range strike that deflected past Butland, making it 2-2 and shifting the momentum completely in Celtic’s favor.
At this point, many expected Celtic to push on and win the game, but Ferguson’s Rangers had other ideas.
Despite being under siege for much of the second half, the visitors showed incredible resilience and discipline, refusing to crumble under the pressure.
With the game heading towards a draw, Rangers delivered a late, decisive blow.
Hamza Igamane’s Last-Minute Winner Stuns Celtic Park
As Celtic pressed forward in search of a winner, they left themselves exposed defensively—and Rangers took full advantage.
In the 88th minute, substitute Hamza Igamane—who had been introduced late in the game—became the hero. The young forward picked up the ball just outside the box, took a touch to set himself, and curled a brilliant effort into the top corner, silencing Celtic Park.
The Rangers bench erupted in celebration, knowing they had just secured a famous Old Firm victory. Celtic threw everything forward in stoppage time, but Rangers held firm to claim a 3-2 win in one of the most dramatic derbies in recent memory.
Barry Ferguson’s Tactical Masterclass
This victory cemented Barry Ferguson’s growing reputation as a serious managerial contender. His tactical tweaks proved crucial:
Early High Press: Rangers suffocated Celtic in the first half, forcing errors and capitalizing on them.
Compact Midfield Structure: Ferguson nullified Celtic’s creative threats by making the midfield compact and aggressive, stifling their playmakers.
Effective Use of Substitutes: Hamza Igamane’s late introduction was a game-changing decision, with the Moroccan forward grabbing the winner.
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd highlighted Ferguson’s impact post-match:
“Brendan Rodgers had a pop before the game, saying he hadn’t seen anything different from Rangers. Well, he has now. They were excellent in that first half, and even though Celtic had a lot of the ball in the second, Rangers still found a way to win.”
What This Means for the Title Race
Despite the loss, Celtic still hold a commanding 13-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership with eight matches remaining. However, this defeat raises concerns about their ability to handle pressure in big games, especially after suffering back-to-back Old Firm losses.
For Rangers, this result boosts morale massively as they prepare for the Europa League quarter-finals. While Ferguson remains interim manager, many fans are now calling for him to be appointed permanently, believing he has reignited the team’s spirit and tactical discipline.
Ferguson’s Future—A Permanent Appointment on the Horizon?
Barry Ferguson was not initially considered a candidate for the permanent Rangers job, but two stunning results in the space of a week have forced the Rangers board to reconsider.
Knocking out Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in the Europa League.
Winning at Celtic Park for the first time since 2020.
Both achievements underline his ability to motivate and organize a team at the highest level.
The Rangers board had been linked with other managerial candidates, but Ferguson’s performances have built a groundswell of support among the fanbase.
As Rangers now turn their attention to the Europa League quarter-finals and the closing stages of the domestic campaign, Ferguson will have further opportunities to prove himself.
For now, though, Rangers fans can revel in a famous Old Firm victory, one that could mark the beginning of a new era under Barry Ferguson.