Five things we learned from Rangers 1

Celtic's Moussa Dembele goes past Rangers James Taverier during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match at Ibrox Stadium. Picture: Ian Rutherford/PA Wire

MIND THE GAP

Celtic are a much better team than Rangers with a bigger and stronger squad, which is why they are 19 points ahead at the top of the table with a game in hand. The Ibrox side put up a decent fight in the Hogmanay encounter but there could have been no complaints if the scoreline was much more favourable towards the visitors, who dominated the majority of the game. Unless there is a huge injection of cash from somewhere, it is difficult to see how Mark Warburton closes that gap.

CELTIC CAN SUCCESFULLY INTERCHANGE THEIR STRIKERS

The battle between Leigh Griffiths and Moussa Dembele has been rumbling all season, with the latter appearing to be top dog in the eyes of Brendan Rodgers. After scoring a hat-trick in the 5-1 Premiership win over Rangers in September, and the winner in the 1-0 Betfred Cup semi-final victory over the same opponents at Hampden Park, the 20-year-old French striker was give the nod at Ibrox. After a quiet start to the game, he levelled with a thunderous strike to take his tally to the season to 19. Had he not missed a sitter and struck the woodwork, the former Fulham player would have had another hat-trick. Griffiths could only watch from bench, but he’ll be back.

Rangers 1 - 2 Celtic: How the players rated at Ibrox

CASE FOR THE IBROX DEFENCE

The Rangers rearguard is regarded as the weakest part of the Ibrox team. Skipper Lee Wallace was ruled out by injury while 37-year-old Clint Hill shrugged off a knock to take his place in a back three. And while the Govan side defended stoutly at times, there remained occasional moments of nerves and uncertainty which handed chances to the visitors, who attacked in waves at times in the second half. Their job was made more difficult by the fact that Warburton had them attacking agressively, leaving them vulnerable.

OH WHAT AN ATMOSPHERE

Although there was little at stake in terms of the title race, the age-old rancour between the fans was evident in the first game between the two clubs at Ibrox in more than four years. The Celtic fans were in the mood for gloating as their side came from behind to win and they enjoyed their celebrations at the end. Rangers supporters, who had arrived in a defiant mood, were ecstatic early after Kenny Miller gave the home side the lead but struggled to get behind their team with conviction after the break as they sensed the points were on their way to Parkhead.

SILENCE IS GOLDEN

Always a fraught situation when respect is required before an Old Firm encounter. There was a minute’s silence in tribute to the fans who died in the Ibrox disaster in 1971 , following a match between the two Glasgow rivals. A few individuals – and it has to be stressed that it was only a few – broke the silence, which simply added to the tension already present inside the ground.

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Five things we learned from Rangers 1 - 2 Celtic