This defeat will be a bitter pill for Celtic to swallow, not just because it’s a derby loss, but because of the way it happened. Losing at home to Rangers for the first time in four years is bad enough, but to fight back from 2-0 down only to concede a late winner makes it all the more painful. For Brendan Rodgers and his squad, this isn’t just about three dropped points—it’s about momentum, mentality, and what this result could mean for the title race.

Celtic’s Tactical Failings

From the opening minutes, Celtic were second-best. Rangers were aggressive, pressed high, and caught Celtic cold. Nicolas Raskin’s flicked header inside four minutes was a nightmare start, and rather than responding with urgency, Celtic continued to look unsettled. Mohamed Diomande doubling Rangers’ lead showed just how much Celtic were struggling to handle the game. The midfield was being outplayed, the defense looked shaky, and Rangers looked far more composed.

It’s not the first time Celtic have looked vulnerable in big games this season. There have been moments where they’ve struggled to control matches, lacked sharpness in both boxes, and allowed the opposition to dictate the tempo. Against Rangers, it was all of those weaknesses on full display in the first half.

That said, Celtic deserve credit for showing character to fight back. Being 2-0 down in a Glasgow Derby at home can often be the moment a team crumbles, but Rodgers’ side pulled themselves level, and for a brief period, it felt like the momentum had completely swung. But that’s the thing—momentum means nothing if you don’t take advantage of it. At 2-2, Celtic should have been pushing for a winner, dominating possession, and making Rangers panic. Instead, it was the visitors who found the decisive goal, showing more composure under pressure.

Barry Ferguson’s Impact

Barry Ferguson deserves huge credit for the way Rangers approached this game. Despite all the uncertainty around the club, he’s come in and immediately gotten a reaction from the squad. Knocking Fenerbahce out of Europe was already a sign that he had the players buying into his ideas, but this win over Celtic confirms it.

The biggest compliment you can give Ferguson is that Rangers looked like they had a clear plan. He set them up in a way that allowed them to control the key battles, frustrate Celtic, and take advantage of their chances. His substitutions were also spot on—when Celtic got back to 2-2, many would have expected Rangers to drop deeper and try to hold on. Instead, they kept their shape, waited for their opportunity, and took it when it came. Hamza Igamane’s late goal was the reward for a disciplined and well-executed game plan.

Given the way his appointment was received, Ferguson has done a remarkable job in such a short space of time. Many saw him as a temporary solution, a stopgap until Rangers could get a more experienced manager in the summer. But after back-to-back derby wins and a huge result in Europe, the question has to be asked—could he be in contention for the permanent job?

The Beale Factor

Michael Beale’s reaction to Rangers’ win was interesting. Despite the way his own tenure ended, he still seems deeply invested in the club’s success. His time as manager was a disaster—his summer signings flopped, the team lacked identity, and by the time he was sacked, the majority of fans were desperate for him to leave. Given all of that, you’d think he would keep a low profile when it comes to Rangers, but here he is, praising the team and congratulating Ferguson.

That raises an interesting debate—could Beale return to Rangers in some capacity? With Steven Gerrard being linked with the job permanently, the idea of Beale coming back as his assistant has been mentioned. On paper, it makes some sense—when they worked together, it was a successful partnership. Beale was seen as the tactical brains behind Rangers’ 2020/21 title win, and Gerrard clearly still rates him, as he took him to Saudi Arabia with him.

However, in reality, it seems highly unlikely. Alan Hutton didn’t think Beale would return, and he’s probably right. Returning to Ibrox as a No. 2 after failing as the manager would be a strange move, both for Beale and the club. The fans wouldn’t welcome it, and Beale himself might not want to step back into an assistant role at a club where he was once in charge. It’s one thing to be a respected coach working behind the scenes, but it’s another to be the manager who failed and then came back in a lesser role.

What This Means for Celtic’s Season

For Celtic, this result is a major setback, but it doesn’t have to be a season-defining one. They are still in a strong position in the league, but the pressure is now on. The worst thing they could do is let this loss linger and allow it to impact their performances in the weeks ahead. If they bounce back with wins and get back to dominating games, this will just be a blip. But if they drop more points, it could be a turning point in the title race.

One of the biggest concerns for Rodgers will be the inconsistency. There have been too many games this season where Celtic have looked vulnerable. Whether it’s lapses in concentration, struggling to control games, or failing to take chances, these issues keep cropping up. Rodgers needs to address them quickly because Rangers now have momentum, and if they keep winning, Celtic’s margin for error gets smaller.

Another issue is squad depth. With key injuries affecting the team at different points, Rodgers has had to rely on squad players at times, and not all of them have stepped up. The squad is still strong, but this loss might force the board to consider further investment in the summer.

The Mentality Shift

One of the most interesting things about this result is how it could change the mentality of both teams. For Rangers, this is a statement win. Winning back-to-back derbies, winning at Parkhead for the first time since 2020—these are the kinds of results that change a team’s belief. If they were