This Day in 2018 saw the top-of-the-table match that had been anticipated for weeks between Brendan Rodgers‘ Celtic and Graeme Murty’s Rangers go to Ibrox.

Rangers was picked as the game’s favorites in the media, which was helped by the fact that Celtic could be missing Mikel Lustig, Leigh Griffiths, and first-choice keeper Craig Gordon.

It was confirmed on the day of the match that Celtic would be without Dorus De Vries and that, with Gordon sidelined, third-choice goalie Scott Bain would start the match. At Ibrox, the goalie on loan from Dundee would make his debut. Josh Windass, however, had a devastating start for the Celtic defense as he dispossessed the returning Dedryck Boyata on the halfway line and broke free, finishing into the net with a strong shot.

After a very magnificent performance from Tom Rogic, Celtic would calm down and equalize. The large-framed Australian player received the ball and curled a shot well outside the area and into the net. After Rogic’s strike rebounded off Bates, it tied the score for Rodgers’ team and forced Rangers to substitute someone.

Rangers advanced to Celtic’s right and equalized when a cross was cleared by Celtic defenders and Candeias scored from close range. Scott Brown’s lofted cross through to Moussa Dembele, who bullied two defenders and scooped the ball over Fotheringham to make it 2-2, was to be the short-lived lead.

A more composed Celtic approach was used in the second half to contain the Ibrox support and generate openings. Up until Jozo Simunovic was found to have elbowed Alfredo Morelos in the face, they were getting along just fine. In order to prevent the Rangers from pressing forward, Rodgers changed to a 4-3-2 system in response to being reduced to ten men. They brought in Odsonne Edouard in place of James Forrest. After a wonderful play by Celtic, the Frenchman bent in a superb attempt to give Celtic a 3-2 lead.

Even though Rangers had a fantastic opportunity to tie the score late on through Morelos, he struck the post, allowing Scott Bain to collect, Celtic were able to hold onto the lead.

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