Sport Saga
Disappointed Danny Rohl refuses to admit defeat to Celtic as he reveals Hoops got LUCKY in this ONE key area and it helped them get an undeserved draw
March 1, 2026
Celtic’s Reo Hatate required three efforts to dispatch a 91st-minute penalty as the visitors rescued an exhilarating 2-2 stalemate with Rangers in Sunday’s Old Firm derby at Ibrox, leaving the home side six points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts.
In a contest of two very different halves, Youssef Chermiti’s superb first-half brace appeared to have put Rangers firmly in charge before Celtic surged back after the interval to draw level and remain two points behind Rangers with a match in hand.
“At the moment, the feeling is more disappointment because you dropped two points after a 2-0 lead,” Rangers coach Danny Rohl told BBC.
“It’s always a little bit lucky for a team to get a late penalty. This is normal I would say it’s the same when we get a penalty late in the game.”
Chermiti executed a magnificent overhead strike from Andreas Skov Olsen’s delivery after eight minutes to hand Rangers an ideal opening.
Celtic’s defensive weaknesses were highlighted again in the 26th minute when a straightforward ball over the top triggered uncertainty and Chermiti reacted sharply, stealing possession from defender Julian Araujo before sliding it beyond the goalkeeper to double the advantage.
CELTIC REVITALISED AFTER THE INTERVAL:
However, the visitors emerged re-energised after the break and reduced the deficit in the 56th minute when Benjamin Nygren located Kieran Tierney inside the six-yard area and the Scotland international headed past Jack Butland to ignite belief.
“When we came out for the second half, we were a totally different team. We’re unlucky not to get all the points in the end,” Tierney told Sky Sports
“We let ourselves down first half, it wasn’t how we wanted to play. Second half we showed the character. We’re here for this ongoing fight.”
Rangers had Butland to acknowledge as the goalkeeper produced a series of crucial stops, but Celtic’s determination was rewarded when a VAR review determined that Dujon Sterling had handled inside the area and a spot-kick was given late on.
Hatate advanced to take the penalty in the 91st minute and Butland denied him twice amid the chaos, yet the Japanese midfielder converted at the third time of asking to seal a stunning comeback and ensure the points were shared.
“It was obviously a great game. We were well and truly second best in the first half, for almost all of it. They got off to a great start,” Celtic boss Martin O’Neill told BBC.
“The second half belonged to us and we got an equaliser which we thoroughly deserved.
“If you’re 2-0 down at halftime, you have to question yourself. I spend my life questioning myself, to tell you the truth. But anyway, we turned it around second half.”