Last-Gasp Lift Keeps Rangers on Course for Old Firm Double

A late goal in the closing minutes gave Rangers the kind of result that changes a week, not just a table position. What began as a scrappy, edge-of-control contest finished with a single, decisive moment that preserved momentum and belief ahead of the looming Old Firm double-header. The atmosphere was taut, the tactics cautious, but the scoreboard shift was emphatic: Rangers remain very much in the race.

Tactically, Rangers showed the pragmatic discipline of a side that understands the calendar more than the purity of style; they invited phases of possession while striking in transition. Substitutions altered angles of attack and added physicality without sacrificing structure, and for long stretches the team defended in compact blocks that frustrated their opponents. That discipline will be vital when the intensity doubles against Celtic, who will probe but can be punished on the break.

The result carries as much psychological weight as it does points: a late winner or equaliser can unbalance a rival and embolden a team, and Rangers have both the points and the swagger necessary for a two-legged confrontation. Celtic will not be overawed — they are likely to respond with strategic tweaks — but Rangers have forced questions about tempo and pressing that the Old Firm series will now answer. The upcoming fixtures will test whether this was a one-off flourish or the start of sustained control.

The Guru’s read is clear: this goal keeps Rangers on track, but it is not victory — it is a currency of confidence that must be spent wisely. My recommendation is surgical: back the compact defensive shape, introduce a creative mid earlier to unlock Celtic’s press, and manage energy across the double-header. Prediction: Rangers arrive at the Old Firm meetings favourites for momentum, but convert that into two wins only if they tighten their finishing and remain ruthless on transitions.