The eyes of the world fell upon Celtic Park as another thrilling derby between Glasgow’s big two captivated a global audience.
As they have done in this fixture of late, it was the home side who came out on top with a 3-2 victory that moves them to the brink of another Premiership title.
Kyogo Furuhashi struck a double and Jota notched the third, rendering James Tavernier’s 99th and 100th goals for Rangers a mere footnote.
As ever, planet football was watching what transpired between these two giants – here’s the best of the reaction.
A Bola (Portugal)
“Celtic, with Jota at the start, beat Rangers, this Saturday, by 3-2, in the 31st round of the Scottish championship, getting one step away from the title.
“Celtic took the lead in the Old Firm, Glasgow derby, at 26', through Furuhashi. Close to half-time, Rangers equaled the result, with a great free-kick by Tavernier (45').
“In the second half, Celtic would reach 2-1, again by Furuhashi, with assistance from Jota, at 62'. About ten minutes later, it would be Jota (73') who would taste the foot, benefiting from a defensive error by the protesters.
“Until the end of the game, Tavernier reduced to Rangers (79'), who still scared Celtic. Still, the marker would not move again.With this result, Celtic have 88 points and are even more in the lead, while Rangers, in second place, maintain 76 points."
L’Equipe (France)
“In a heated atmosphere, Celtic won the Old Firm (3-2), the Glasgow derby this Saturday, thanks to a double from Kyogo Furuhashi and a goal from Jota. The Celts are within reach of their 53rd Scottish league title.
“Celtic remain unstoppable in Scotland. In a boiling Celtic Park, the Celts won (3-2) in the Glasgow derby - against Rangers - this Saturday and recorded their 11th victory in a row in all competitions. In full swing, Kyogo Furuhashi scored another double, when Jota scored his 11th goal of the season in the Championship.
“Despite a brace, including a magnificent free kick just before half-time, Rangers captain James Tavernier was not enough to snatch the draw.
“Thanks to this new victory, Celtic are approaching their 53rd Scottish Championship title, their 11th in the last 12 seasons. The Green and White now have a twelve-point lead over their runner-up.”
GOAL (USA)
“Cameron Carter-Vickers and Celtic got the better of Malik Tillman's Rangers to go 12-points clear in the Scottish title race. Celtic took down their arch rivals 3-2 at Celtic Park, moving 12 points clear at the top of the Scottish league. A brace from Kyogo Furuhashi led the way, as he was joined on the scoresheet by Jota to cancel out two goals from Rangers star James Tavernier in the 3-2 triumph.
“Despite receiving a yellow card just eight minutes in, Carter-Vickers was as steady as ever, having emerged as arguably the top defender in Scotland this season. The American was solid defensively, despite his side giving up two goals: one from a free kick and one on a back-post header.
“Tillman, meanwhile, will be left disappointed by his side's defeat, as it all but ends what already was a fairly unlikely title chase. The midfielder started and played 69 minutes, but was unable to add to his 10 goals on the season as his one shot on the day went wide of the mark.”
DHN (Germany)
“Kyogo Furuhashi scored twice to seal a 3-2 win that put Celtic 12 points clear of Rangers in the Scottish Premiership title race.
“If Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi wasn't already a legend ahead of Saturday's Old Firm derby, the Japan international is now.
“The title isn't officially Celtic’s, but unofficially the Hoops will claim a 53rd Scottish Premiership title in a matter of weeks.
“Saturday's lunchtime opener at Celtic Park marked the fifth meeting in all competitions between Old Firm rivals this season.
“Celtic went unbeaten with three wins and one draw against Rangers. What the fans saw was more the same, as Ange Postecoglou's team was simply unbeatable.
“The match was typical of all Old Firm derbies with a full house that challenged both teams.”
