Aribo returns as Rangers go four points clear after Celtic win

Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo returned from injury after replacing Scott Arfield in the 89th minute as Connor Goldson emerged the unlikely hero as Glasgow Rangers claimed victory in the first Old Firm meeting of the season.

The  performance saw Rangers move four points clear of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Both sides were unbeaten coming into this contest, with Rangers leading the way by a single point, although having played a game more.

Celtic were missing key players such as Odsonne Edouard, Nir Bitton and Hatem Abd Elhamed, all of whom tested positive for Covid-19 after the international break, while Ryan Christie was self-isolating.

And Rangers took full advantage of their rivals’ troubles as they opened the scoring in the ninth-minute, with James Tavernier’s free-kick delivery finding Goldson whose glancing header slipped past Celtic goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas.

Mohamed Elyounoussi spurned a gilt-edged opportunity to equalise shortly after, fluffing his lines when through on goal with just Allan McGregor to beat.

Eleven minutes after the restart, centre-half Goldson popped up with his brace to give Steven Gerrard’s side breathing space in the tie, poking home from Scott Arfield’s cross.

89' SUB: Change for Rangers | 0-2

➡️ ON: Joe Aribo
⬅️ OFF: Scott Arfield

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) October 17, 2020

FULL-TIME: Celtic 0-2 Rangers

A Connor Goldson double at Parkhead! pic.twitter.com/2wF4pIffiv

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) October 17, 2020

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And yet there was still no urgency from Celtic. They actually had more possession than visitors but failed to register a single shot on target in the most passive of performances, as Rangers won back-to-back Old Firm games for the first time in 11 years.

The victory means Rangers remain top of the table with 29 points after 11 games played, with Celtic four behind.