On This Day in in 2016, Brendan Rodgers took his Celtic side to Ibrox for the first time since their promotion. Celtic had won the reverse game at Paradise 5-1 thanks to a Moussa Dembele hat-trick and had knocked Rangers out of the League cup thanks to a late Dembele goal.
The game was set to go ahead on Hogmanay despite calls to move the game due to the high-profile nature of the clash and the impending New Years’ Eve celebrations.
Rangers started with intent, claiming a goal when Emilio Izaguirre was caught out of position through Kenny Miller. Josh Windass played ball through the channel for the oncoming James Tavernier, who’s cut back was met by Miller.
Rangers could’ve had another after Sviatchenko was caught out of position, allowing Tavernier the chance to cross to Waghorn but for a brave Craig Gordon to smother the ball.
Scott Sinclair struck the post from a darting run at the Rangers defence before Clint Hill cleared the loose ball into the Copeland Rd end. Sinclair was on the resulting corner and floated it to the back where Moussa Dembele had lost his man. The Frenchman took a touch with his right and volleyed with his right, giving Foderingham no chance.
Halftime brought the game to a halt with 1-1 on the scoreboard in a game where both teams offered a lot going forward.
Brendan Rodgers’ halftime team talk must’ve worked as Celtic came out with real purpose and began to make Foderingham work. Sinclair, Forrest and McGregor all had chances as well as Dembele hitting the bar.
The introduction of Paddy Roberts afforded Celtic the chance to make the breakthrough. Roberts’ reverse pass found Armstrong who in turn found Sinclair. It was a carbon copy of Miller’s opener but this time the Free Broomloan went wild.
Celtic had chances to increase the lead, with the Rangers goalkeeper keeping them in it.
Rangers had a chance to get a goal back but Celtic defended resolutely when they needed to even with the post stopping Miller’s chance. This assured that Glasgow was green as Ibrox emptied and the Celtic support began the celebrations for the New Year.
