CELTIC 1 RANGERS 3
SHAMBOLIC Celtic somehow managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory as Wilfried Nancy’s horror show continued at Parkhead this afternoon.
The Frenchman has now suffered six defeats from eight games and it’s difficult to see him survive much longer into 2026.
The champions shot themselves spectacularly in the foot after dominating the first-half and leading 1-0 at the interval.
But their Ibrox visitors turned the game around and had three shots on target in the second period – and all three eluded Kasper Schmeichel with the veteran keeper having a howler at the third to gift the opponents the strike that flattened the Hoops.
As well as the Dane, Anthony Ralston and Auston Trusty also played an enormous role in allowing the Ibrox club to get back into the contest and go level with the Hoops on points as hopes of a fifth successive title continue to disintegrate with every passing game and every unacceptable defeat.
Clearly, there is a lack of leadership off the pitch, but, on this viewing, there is also a dearth of players who will stand up to be counted when they are needed most.
DERBY DISASTER…Wilfried Nancy suffers defeat No.6.
And yet it could – and should – have been so different.
A wonder strike from Yang Hyun-jun gave Celtic a deserved advantage in the 20th minute after the hosts had passed up two earlier chances.
Trusty had flashed a right-wing corner-kick from Arne Engels past the post from six yards in the 14 minute and Johnny Kenny also failed to capitalise from a superb opening five minutes later after being set up by Daizen Maeda’s low left-wing cross.
The striker failed to show composure when he needed it most and thumped the ball against Jack Butland from 12 yards.
Both opportunities should have been put away and Trusty and Kenny – as well as everyone else – knew it.
Yang, thankfully, showed his team-mates how it was done with a driving run into the danger zone after picking up a shy on the right wing.
The South Korean got his head down and homed in on his target with fabulous footwork and a lot of determination.
Yang swept past three startled Ibrox opponents before racing into the box and then walloping a ferocious right-foot angled drive high into the roof of the net with Butland helpless.
WONDER GOAL ON THE WAY…Yang Hyun-jun sweeps past Nico Raskin before blasting Celtic into the lead.
Celtic had started on the front foot and looked a totally transformed team from the one who meekly surrendered to Motherwell at Fir Park on Tuesday night.
On this occasion, they raised the tempo and displayed an aggression the Govan club couldn’t match in a largely one-sided opening period.
Worryingly, though, the hosts could not turn their superiority into goals and only a reflex save from Schmeichel denied Danny Rohl’s team an equaliser in the 26th minute.
The Hoops rearguard switched off for a moment as the ball landed at the feet of Djeidi Gassama’s feet and he was allowed a free run in on goal.
The experienced netminder raced from his line to spread himself as the Rangers winger attempted to flick the ball over his head into the gaping net behind him.
Schmeichel somehow managed to swing a right hand at the effort and turn the ball away for a corner-kick.
Moments later, the Hoops broke forward in a 3 v 2 situation, but, unfortunately, Kenny chose the wrong option and the chance was lost.
In the 32nd minute, the Republic of Ireland frontman flashed in a low left-foot drive that was pushed away by Butland at his right.
Kieran Tierney then produced a high looping ball to the far post that was met by the head of Yang and the Ibrox netminder got a touch to divert the ball and Emmanuel Fernandez bailed out his team as he stretched the clear off the line.
It was all Celtic at this stage with Engels and Benjamin Nygren taking up great positions while Luke McCowan was as industrious as ever.
Unfortunately, the Hoops could not add to their one-goal lead – and the failure to capitalise came back to bite them after the interval.
DISARRAY…the Celtic defence is all over the place as Yousef Chermiti equalises.
Only five minutes had gone when the home back lot switched off again and Nico Raskin got away from the faltering and vulnerable Trusty to whip in a low right-wing cross to the near post.
The Celtic defence was caught on the back foot as Youssef Chermiti got in to poke the ball wide of Schmeichel.
It was a dreadful goal to concede and it gave energy to opponents who were virtually out on their feet in the first-half.
Three minutes later, Maeda had the opportunity to restore the lead after being set up by McCowan, but the Japanese hitman hurried his final shot and hit the advancing Butland.
A lob over the keeper would have done the trick.
Celtic paid heavily when the visitors went ahead on the hour mark after some utterly nonsensical contributions from Ralston and Trusty.
The right-back made a complete mess of a throw-in midway on the right touchline and Chermiti was allowed to make a beeline towards Schmeichel.
Remarkably, Trusty stood off challenging the frontman and he carried on before driving a low shot into the far corner.
BLUNDER BHOY…Kasper Schmeichel fails to stop Mikey Moore’s low shot for No.3.
Two minutes later, Maeda was presented with an opportunity, but his low angled drive flashed just wide of the far upright with Butland helpless.
In the 67th minute, Julian Araujo was thrown on for his debut as he took over from McCowan.
Four minutes later, Schmeichel gifted the visitors their third and killer goal. Mikey Moore was given time to line up a shot in the box as he sent in angled drive.
It should have been dealt with by the keeper, but, amazingly, he allowed it to elude him low to his right and find the back of the net.
Three minutes later Reo Hatate and Shin Yamada joined the fray as they replaced Nygren and Kenny. Neither produced anything to help get the Hosts back into contention.
James Forrest and Liam Scales were sent on for Ralston and Tierney in the 88th minute as the game rolled towards its sad conclusion.
The season is heading for a premature write-off unless someone steps in to make some tough decisions.
TEAM: Schmeichel; Ralston (sub: Forrest 88), Trusty, Tierney (sub: Scales 88); Nygren (sub: Hatate 74), Engels, McGregor, McCowan (sub: Araujo 67), Yang; Maeda, Kenny (sub: Yamada 74).
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