Credit: Imago

Alex Oakhill

Mon 5 January 2026 15:38, UK

Rangers will hold the bragging rights in Glasgow for the foreseeable future after beating Celtic at Parkhead last Saturday.

Youssef Chermiti grabbed a brace for Rangers, with Mikey Moore adding a third as Danny Rohl’s side came from a goal behind to beat the Hoops 3-1.

The Gers are just six points adrift of Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership, and firmly back in the title race after their Old Firm triumph.

One man who has been made to look silly by Rangers‘ derby day triumph is former Celtic boss Martin O’Neill, following his comments earlier in the season.

Martin O’Neill badly underestimated Rangers

O’Neill took interim charge of Celtic for a period earlier this season, following the dramatic resignation of Brendan Rodgers.

The 73-year-old stepped aside at the beginning of December to allow Wilfried Nancy to come in, but the Frenchman has now been sacked himself, after six defeats in eight games.

Nancy’s last act as Celtic boss was to lead his side to derby day defeat against Rangers, who moved level on points with the Hoops as a result.

This was something O’Neill could not have foreseen earlier this season, after the Gers’ woeful start to the campaign under Russell Martin.

Speaking on talkSPORT, hours before he was appointed as Celtic interim manager back in October, O’Neill disregarded Rangers as a threat in the title race.

He said: “Rangers are no threat whatsoever although the new manager coming in, I think he could do something in time. But they are so far adrift it’s untrue.”

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Rangers win the title?

Rangers and Celtic are now both on 38 points in the Scottish Premiership, with the pair six behind Hearts at the top of the table.

O’Neill’s statement back in October has come back to bite him, as Rohl’s turnaround at Ibrox has coincided with Nancy’s disastrous reign.

There is no doubt that the Gers are well in the title hunt, but they will need a strong January transfer window in order to challenge Hearts.

Now that Nancy’s departure has been confirmed, Rangers may have to start worrying about their Glasgow neighbours as well, who will hope to get a new manager bounce in the coming weeks.

Stay up to date this winter with our Rangers transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at Ibrox, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.