Rangers Hold Celtic to 1-1 Draw in Glasgow Derby as Guard of Honour Snub Highlights Tense Finale

Rangers Deny Celtic Guard of Honour as Old Firm Ends Level

Every Glasgow derby carries drama, but this one started long before the first whistle. Rangers made their position clear by refusing to give newly crowned Scottish champions Celtic the traditional guard of honour before kick-off at Ibrox. That snub set a frosty tone for the season’s final Old Firm clash, one where the football itself sometimes felt overshadowed by what happened—or didn’t—before the game even began.

On the pitch, Rangers came out with purpose. They pressed hard in the early stages, clearly wanting to make a point after losing out on the title. Their aggressive approach rattled Celtic at times, especially with the tactical switch to a diamond midfield. It worked initially, carving out a few promising moments. One of the best moves saw Cyriel Dessers finish off a slick passage of play, unlocking Celtic’s defense with some crisp passing initiated by Vase Čurnjović. The Nigerian forward made the most of a defensive lapse, fizzing the ball beyond Joe Hart and giving the Ibrox crowd something to cheer about.

Just when it looked like Rangers might turn the screw, the game slipped into a cagey spell. The fire and intensity you expect in a Glasgow derby never really materialized. Both sides looked hesitant, perhaps mindful of recent history and what was at stake. Rangers’ Nico Raskin thought he’d doubled the lead with a header, but the linesman’s flag had other ideas, ruling it out for offside. Celtic found their own way back into the match, capitalising on Rangers’ hesitancy. The equaliser came via a set-piece or a defensive mix-up, though details from match reports weren’t entirely clear. All signs pointed to Celtic’s Edouard or possibly Carter-Vickers taking advantage after a scramble in the box.

Tactical Tweaks, Missed Chances, and a Subdued Atmosphere

Not every derby sizzles. This one lacked some of the all-out aggression and drama of past meetings. Part of that is down to the pressure being off for Celtic, already confirmed as champions. But you could sense a collective weariness—both squads have endured long campaigns and faced their share of criticism and injury headaches.

Rangers’ best chance after the opener came from a clever pass that left Raskin in the clear, but again the flag went up. For Celtic, Daizen Maeda had a golden chance to settle the contest. Put through one-on-one against William Kelly, the Japanese striker’s composure deserted him, and Kelly stood tall to block. Neither team really dominated after that. Celtic adjusted tactically, slowly gaining control of possession as the minutes ticked by. Rangers’ diamonds dulled, leaving their attack isolated and their energy fading in midfield.

After the final whistle, Cyriel Dessers was frank in his assessment. He pointed out Rangers have matched up well against Celtic this season, but let too many points slip against lesser opposition. That inconsistency, more than derby results, explains why the title ended up across the city. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers praised his side’s composure under pressure, acknowledging Ibrox is never a simple place to see out even a dead-rubber draw.

The 1-1 result means both teams walk away having proved little new: Celtic are worthy champions but not without flaws, while Rangers need to be bolder and more clinical against everyone—not just their biggest rivals. For all the talk leading up to the game, this Old Firm lacked some fire, though the passion in the stands, the tactical tweaks, and those flashes of quality gave fans enough to debate all week long.