Old Firm derbies are often decided on individual duels, and Philippe Clement’s much-maligned, injury-hit Rangers side would have known the importance of stopping Celtic’s dangermen at source.
To say they succeeded – Rangers thrashed Glasgow neighbours 3-0 at a bouncing Ibrox as they kicked off the New Year in scintillating fashion – would be an understatement.
Callum McGregor, the Celtic captain, admitted before match that the Premiership leaders had planned to ‘exploit’ Rangers’ aggressive man-marking approach. The approach which very nearly provided the foundations for a dramatic Hampden Park triumph only a few weeks ago.
But, as Rangers took sweet revenge on their arch enemies, it was the home side who did the exploiting.
Nedim Bajrami’s role as the number ten in Clement’s system was twofold. The Albanian was tasked not only with bringing the creative spark, but also with dropping in, locking onto McGregor and restricting the Hoops skipper like a python squeezing the air out of it’s prey.
That McGregor managed only 49 passes – well down from his seasonal average of 86 – is testament to the tireless work Bajrami and co went through off the ball.
Neil McCann, a Rangers stalwart from 1998 to 2003, felt that Bajrami helped set the tone for Clement’s first Old Firm triumph at the seventh attempt.
But he was not alone.
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Nedim Bajrami, Ridvan Yilmaz and Jefte shine as Rangers hammer Celtic
Ridvan Yilmaz, out of position on the right-hand side, succeeded where the injured James Tavernier so often failed as he rendered Daizen Maeda a spectator.
Maeda and the rampaging Nicolas Kuhn ripped Rangers’ backline to shreds in the second-half of that League Cup final in December. But while Yilmaz offset Maeda’s fearsome pace and formidable work-rate, Jefte also kept Kuhn quiet while playing a major role in Danilo’s late clincher.
“He’s enjoyed himself today,” McCann says of Yilmaz during his co-commentary duties for Sky Sports. “I was worried about him but Maeda has had no change out of him
“When he has come inside, he’s on his strong side for Yilmaz. He’d hate it if he goes down the outside.
“[With] Bajrami sitting on McGregor, he’s nullified. Bajrami did well on McGregor, stopping Celtic from playing through. It’s been so so impressive. Celtic have been so careless but you have to credit Rangers.
“I think Jefte has done really well. Its the quietest I have seen Nicolas Kuhn all season. He has been their go-to man so often.”
In the build up to the first fixture of 2025, Chris Sutton argued that this could be Philippe Clement’s last stand as the Rangers boss. Instead, the manner in which Rangers outplayed and out-muscled Celtic – a staggering 24 shots to the visitors four – should provide, at the very least, a stay of execution.
Robin Propper opens Rangers account in big Old Firm win
With the left-footed Yilmaz replacing Tavernier on the right and Dujon Sterling partnering Robin Propper in the absence of Leon Balogun and John Souttar, Rangers’ makeshift back four could hardly have enjoyed a more comfortable afternoon.
On the rare occasions when questions were asked of Sterling and the much-maligned Propper, they frequently came up with the answer.
“[Propper] has had a good afternoon I’ve had to say,” Sutton adds the Dutchman picking the ideal moment to open his Rangers account at the 23rd attempt as he followed in from Nico Raskin’s flying header.
“[There were] concerns in that area with injuries but Celtic haven’t given him too much to think about. Its been far too comfortable for the Rangers backline. Celtic haven’t put them under any real pressure.”
“Its been forced upon him [furthermore], Yilmaz against Daizen Maeda. But Yilmaz has played him well.
“The victory is surprising in itself, the scoreline,” McCann agrees. “But the dominance Rangers have had today…
“Celtic looked so blunt. They have had no idea of how to break Rangers down. I think the front four in particular with Diomande and Raskin, forcing Celtic down the outside [was key].”
