Scottish Premiership
Saturday, April 8, 2023
Celtic Park, Glasgow

CELTIC… 3
(Kyogo 26 & 62, Jota 73)

RANGERS… 2
(Tavernier 44 & 79)

Kyogo struck another derby double as Celtic beat Rangers 3-2 at Paradise to go 12 points clear at the top of the Premiership table.

The Japanese striker scored in either half, while Jota also netted as the Hoops chalked up another derby win under Ange Postecoglou.

An electric atmosphere at Paradise saw Celtic start on the front foot and they had the ball in the net after just minutes when Kyogo latched on to a ball over the top from Alistair Johnston and slotted the ball home, but it was ruled out for offside.

Callum McGregor was next to test the Rangers goalkeeper when he gathered a pass from Daizen Maeda and fired in a shot from the edge of the area, but it was saved.

Jota came even closer on 17 minutes when he cut in from the right, unleashing a left foot shot that was heading towards the top corner of the net before it was pushed away.

At the other end, Rangers had the ball in the net from a corner, but it was ruled out for a foul on Johnston.

Celtic were dominating possession and they got their reward in the 26th minute. Matt O’Riley did well on the left flank to win the ball and fire it into the box where Kyogo took a touch, spun round and slotted it home for his 27th goal of the season.

While Malik Tillmann tried to respond for the visitors with an effort form outside the area, it was the home side who were looking the more likely to score again.

First, Jota raced on to a through ball from Johnston, cutting it across goal where it ricocheted off a couple of Rangers defenders before the danger was cleared.

And then, moments later, the Portuguese winger intercepted a slack pass in the middle of the park, striding forward and firing a shot on target that was well saved.

But on the stroke of half-time, Rangers netted an unlikely equaliser. O’Riley was penalised for a foul on Tillmann 25 yards from goal, and James Tavernier converted the resulting free-kick to level the score going into the break.

Kyogo at the double as Celtic win Glasgow derby at Paradise