Rangers vs Celtic LIVE: Old Firm result and reaction as Rabbi Matondo equalises for hosts in stoppage time

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The Independent

·7 April 2024

Rangers vs Celtic LIVE: Old Firm result and reaction as Rabbi Matondo equalises for hosts in stoppage time

Postecoglu on the Old Firm match

Rangers fought back from a two-goal half-time deficit to draw 3-3 with Celtic as the Scottish Premiership title race exploded at Ibrox.

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Hoops attacker Daizen Maeda gave the visitors a stunning lead after just 21 seconds which rocked the home side. The nervy Light Blues fell further behind in the 34th minute when midfielder Matt O’Riley coolly converted a penalty after a VAR intervention.

Rangers improved after the break and skipper James Tavernier scored from the spot in the 55th minute before striker Cyriel Dessers had the ball in the net two minutes later only for an earlier infringement to rule out a goal.

Substitute Abdallah Sima levelled in the 86th minute but a minute later Hoops substitute Adam Idah drove in for what looked like a dramatic winner only for Rangers replacement Rabbi Matondo to level in added time for a share of the spoils which left Celtic one point ahead at the top.

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Brendan Rodgers speaking to BBC Scotland

“I’m disappointed with the penalty. If you watch it back, I think the referee makes the right decision in the game. Ali[stair Johnston] makes a really good challenge. The player then simulates and goes over. He went over a few times in the game.

“It went against us and you expect a bit of pressure. We had to stand up and fight, We get the third goal, excellent from Adam [Idah]. They then get a really good third goal. We’re disappointed not to win, but to leave here with everything in our hands is what we wanted.

“To come here with no supporters, to show that mentality - you were never going to win anything today, but take it [the title race] in the right direction. There’s still a lot to play for. There’s a long way to go. We’re in a really good position.”

Ben Fleming7 April 2024 15:10

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Tight at the top

With that result, Celtic remain one point in front at the top of the Premiership but that can all change when Rangers play their game in hand on Wednesday.

Ben Fleming7 April 2024 15:00

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The other second-half goals

We’ve already seen the injury-time equaliser but here are the rest of the goals from a manic second half.

Ben Fleming7 April 2024 14:55

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Rangers manager Phillipe Clement speaking to BBC Scotland

“I don’t know if it was classic but my boys did something special. We show our real quality and personality. We get a well-deserved point. We are more the winners of the day. It could have been more, but I think the result is also good.

“They took the message [at half-time] in the best way they can and showed who they really are in the second half. We showed a lot of power, resilience, personality and mentality. There’s a lot of positives. We showed we deserve where we are in the league, we need to be at the top.

“It was important to have Abdallah Sima back. I’m happy with what he could give today. Rabbi [Matondo], we’ve been working a lot on these actions and having more control in his finishes. I’m really proud of him, and the whole team.

“It’s the form of potential champions, but we have a tough challenger. It’s good for Scottish football to have two teams with this quality.”

Ben Fleming7 April 2024 14:45

1712496825Cameron Carter-Vickers speaking after the game“I thought we started the game well, had parts of the first half where we kept the ball well and cut through them and created chances. In the second half, they came out and grew into the game. It’s difficult when they have all that possession and the crowd behind them to keep them out but disappointed to now win the game.On the penalty: “Getting that goal spurred them on to kick on. I haven’t seen it back but at the time I thought he was looking for the contact but I haven’t seen it back.”Ben Fleming7 April 2024 14:331712496585Rabbi Matondo speaking to Sky Sports“I wasn’t doing my best in the game so I thought when I got my opportunity to cut to just take my chance and thankfully it went in. You want to score in these types of games. I thought we could push on to get the winner but we take the point.“The manager told me to do what I always do, working hard to get my shots off and that’s what I managed to do.”Ben Fleming7 April 2024 14:29

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Cyriel Dessers speaking after the game to Sky Sports

“It’s one of the games I’ve had in my life. I think to get the draw after the start we had is massive for us for the rest of the season.”

On the message at half-time: “The gaffer said he didn’t recognise us and he didn’t see any of the things we had done in the past months. I can only agree but you can see how mentally strong we are. I’m so proud of this team.

“We know it’s possible to get back from a losing position but to do it in a game like this was really special.”

Ben Fleming7 April 2024 14:26