Rabbi Matondo's superb equalizer in second-half stoppage time stopped Celtic from extending their lead in the Scottish Premiership, with Rangers coming back twice in the closing stages to tie Old Firm's traditional six-goal tie.
Adam Aydah's winning goal six minutes into the game looked to have brought Celtic within four points, but substitute Abdallah Sima's shot deflected in just enough time to pull the hosts back from two points down. Born 71 seconds later.
However, Matondo scored in an incredible eight-minute finale, leaving the team tied by just one point and Rangers playing one less game.
After a sensational first half, Celtic built a commanding lead, but 21 seconds later James Tavanier's clearance deflected past Jack Butland and Daen Maeda scored.
In a game affected by VAR, Matt O'Reilly took a calm penalty, which referee John Beaton awarded after a field review showed Conor Goldson's response, giving the away team two points. They entered the break with a lead.
But Tavernier endured a ferocious first half and smashed his own spot-kick after Beaton's decision to register Fabio Silva for diving following a challenge from Alistair Johnston.
Cyriel Dessers thought he had struck the equalizer a minute later, but Tom Lawrence's foul on Tomoki Iwata nullified it after Beaton visited another screen.
The rangers then left it at the top, where a wild ending involving a gasping, shoving and shoving scuffle ensued.
It's hard to think of a better Old Firm in recent memory.
Over the past decade, derbies have often meant little because the clock has moved forward. This is not it.
Time stood still in Glasgow for a crucial match in the closest title race between the two sides since 2011. By the time the full-time whistle blew, I was feeling light-headed.
A must-beat team for both sides, Rangers were under pressure to prove they could overcome the mental hurdle of defeating Celtic in a meaningful league game.
They haven't achieved that goal since August 2021, but given the way the first half went, you'd think this would be three points.
Fever-stricken Ibrox was on the verge of becoming addicted. Ranger was poor. The Celts were supposed to be noble and unremarkable.
Despite the visitors hitting the back of Butland's goal twice, the Rangers keeper continued to protect his side, with England manager Gareth Southgate looking on, denying Maeda's shot before O'Reilly's header spilled over. did.
At the other end, Goldson should have scored with a header, but Silva was twice thwarted by Joe Hart. But make no mistake, the Rangers did it well.
However, the second half was a different story. Despite Dessers' goal being disallowed and Aida's immediate reaction, Clement's team still managed to find a way to take back a point from an absolute classic match.
There is still a one point difference left, so if you want to predict what will happen from here, do your best.
Player of the match – Jack Butland (Rangers)
Good luck everyone – Analysis
Where to start? The Old Firm Derby for many years.
During intermission, Rangers fans watched reruns of the most-watched horror movie.
Celtic asserted their dominance in the derby and when both sides went down the tunnel at the interval, everyone had a safe bet for the title.
But Clement has instilled a resilient mentality in this Rangers team. It was needed first to turn things around from two goals down, and then again just a minute later when Ayda drilled in.
Rangers will regain top spot with a win against Dundee on Wednesday, so of course there will still be talk of the pendulum swinging and momentum changing in the aftermath of this game.
But this match only highlights the unpredictability of this title fight. The best advice may be to strap yourself in.
what they said was
Rangers manager Philippe Clement: “I don't know if it's classic, but my boys did something special. It was a bad way to start the game, but we showed our real quality and character. Ta.”
“We got the point we deserved. We were the winners on this day. We all see that this team is completely different from what it was five months ago. We could have had more. I think the results were good.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: “It's disappointing that we didn't win, but our hope was to leave here with everything.
“We played well and showed quality and heart in really tough conditions. There's still a lot to play. There's a long way to go. We're in a really good position.”
What's next?
Rangers travel to Dundee on Wednesday (20:00 BST) before completing their pre-division fixture at Ross County next Sunday (12:00).
Celtic resumed play from the previous day at home against St Mirren (15:00).
lineup
rangers
formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Butland
- 2Tavernier
- 6goldsonReplacementBalogunin 90+7'minutes
- FiveSarter
- twenty onesterling
- 42DiomandReplacementdo wellin 78 minutesminutes
- Fourlundstram
- twenty threelightReplacementShimain 45 minutesminutes
- 11LawrenceReplacementcantwellin 69 minutesminutes
- 7Fabio SilvaReplacementMatondoin 69 minutesminutes
- 9dessert
substitute
- 13cantwell
- 17Matondo
- 19Shima
- 20do well
- 27Balogun
- 28mccrory
- 31bari chic
- 38king
- 45muckausland
celtic
formation 4-3-3
- 1heart
- 2johnstonI made a reservation in 40 minutes.
- 20carter vickers
- Fivebalance
- 3taylor
- 33o'reillyBooked in 42 minutesReplacementGonsalves Bernardoin 82 minutesminutes
- twenty fourIwata
- 41HatateReplacementmcgregorin 65 minutesminutes
- TenKuhnI made a reservation in 20 minutes.ReplacementYangin 65 minutesminutes
- 8old bridgeReplacementaidain 69 minutesminutes
- 38MaedaBooked in 71 minutes
substitute
- 9aida
- 13Yang
- 17Nawrocki
- 28Gonsalves Bernardo
- 29bane
- 42mcgregor
- 49for rest
- 56Ralston
- 57welsh
live text
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Game over, Rangers 3, Celtic 3.
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End of the second half, Rangers 3, Celtic 3.
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Attempt failed. Cyriel Dessars (Rangers) took a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it went wide of the target. Assisted by Todd Cantwell.
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Change, Rangers. Leon Balogun replaces Connor Goldson.
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Foul on Kieran Dowell (Rangers).
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Paulo Bernardo (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Cyriel Dessers (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defence.
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Foul by Liam Scales (Celtic).
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goal! Rangers 3, Celtic 3. Rabbi Matondo (Rangers) fired a right-footed shot from the left side of the box into the top right corner of the goal. Assisted by John Lundstram.
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Attempt failed. Connor Goldson's (Rangers) header from the center of the box was high and wide to the right. James Tavernier assisted the cross from a set-piece situation.
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Todd Cantwell (Rangers) wins a free kick on the right.
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Foul by Daenen Maeda (Celtic).
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goal! Rangers 2, Celtic 3. Adam Ida (Celtic) fired his right-footed shot from the center of the box into the bottom right corner. Supported by Paulo Bernardo.
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goal! Rangers 2, Celtic 2. Abdallah Sima (Rangers) takes a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the top right corner. Supported by Cyriel Dessers.
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Attempt blocked. Rabbi Matondo (Rangers) had his right-footed shot from the left of the box but it was blocked. Assisted by Dujon Sterling.
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Todd Cantwell (Rangers) wins a free kick on the right.
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Foul by Tomoki Iwata (Celtic).
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Attempt failed. John Lundstram (Rangers) took a header from the center of the box that went high and wide to the right. James Tavernier assisted the cross from a set-piece situation.
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Jon Lundstram (Rangers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Daenen Maeda (Celtic).