It couldn’t have started much better for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team as one of the manager’s selection calls, starting Aaron Ramsey, came to fruition within three minutes as the Welshman converted Ryan Kent’s cut-back to send the home side ahead.
The lead lasted just a few minutes though as Tom Rogic responded for Celtic and the visitors went into the half-time interval ahead through Cameron Carter-Vickers.
The strike proved to be the matchwinner with no further goals in the second half where Rangers pushed for their own equaliser but rarely tested Joe Hart.
With a six-point deficit van Bronckhorst conceded the title race was not over but ‘more difficult’.
Here is how his players rated on a significant afternoon in the cinch SPFL Premiership.
. GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 03: Celtic's Carl Starfelt celebrates at full time with Daizen Maeda (L) during a cinch Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium, on April 02, 2022, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Players come together at fulltime of the third Old Firm match in season 2021-22 where Celtic win 2-1. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) Photo: Craig Williamson - SNS Group
. Allan McGregor - 6
Veteran goalkeeper could have done better at Celtic’s equaliser when he parried Reo Hatate’s shot straight into the path of scorer Tom Rogic. Made one great save to deny Daizen Maeda and survived a penalty claim after another clash with the Celtic forward. Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
. James Tavernier - 6
The Rangers captain was not as influential as he usually is in an attacking sense, the right-back having to closely monitor the counter-attacking threat of both Daizen Maeda and Jota as they regularly switched flanks. Tavernier’s delivery was also less accurate than usual whenever he did get forward. Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
. Calvin Bassey - 6
Like Tavernier on the other flank, Bassey found it difficult to get forward as often as he would like from his left-back role. When he did, he caused some moments of consternation in the Celtic defence and provided a fine defence-splitting pass to Ryan Kent in the build-up to the opening goal. Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
5. Connor Goldson - 6
The big defender had a couple of shaky moments but was generally the most reliable of Rangers’ back four. Moved forward into attack for the closing stages as his team pushed desperately for an equaliser, he did well to set up a chance which Kemar Roofe was unable to finish. Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
6. Ryan Jack - 5
Scotland midfielder struggled to exert the level of control Rangers would have hoped he could provide. Found himself on the back foot for much of his time on the pitch before he made way for Scott Arfield in the 66th minute. Photo: Alan Harvey - SNS Group
7. Joe Aribo - 5
The rangy attacking midfielder showed occasional glimpses of the quality which made him Rangers’ most effective player in the first half of the season. But he was unable to sustain any significant influence on the contest and couldn’t take a decent late chance to rescue a point for his team. Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
8. John Lundstram - 6
The Englishman was instrumental in Rangers’ fast start to the contest, snapping into challenges and moving the ball intelligently. But his booking for a rash challenge on Giorgos Giakoumakis handed Celtic the free-kick from which they scored their winning goal. Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group