MY ACCOUNT
Cameron Carter-Vickers celebrated a “massive” victory for Celtic as his goal ultimately proved the winner in Sunday’s derby clash with Rangers.
Celtic took the Old Firm bragging rights back across Glasgow as they secured a 2-1 win at Ibrox.
Rangers’ start could hardly have been better, with Aaron Ramsey scoring inside the opening three minutes, yet Tomas Rogic swiftly hit back for the visitors.
That was the first time since December 2002 that both teams had scored inside the opening 10 minutes of an Old Firm derby, and the first half ended in similarly frantic fashion when Carter-Vickers lashed in after a goalmouth scramble.
Celtic ultimately held on without too much trouble, despite glass bottles being thrown onto the pitch at half-time, as Ange Postecoglou’s team moved six points clear of their city rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
“A massive win for us, not many games left so every three points are massively important,” defender Carter-Vickers told Sky Sports.
“All season we’ve shown that character. Sometimes it is difficult coming to a stadium like this, and it takes a bit of time to adjust.
“It was difficult to concede in the first five minutes, but after that we played well.
“My goal was probably a bit lucky. It was difficult, they were pushing men forward, and we had to defend as a unit. I thought we stood up to it well today.”
Postecoglou echoed Carter-Vickers’ sentiment, telling BBC Scotland: “It was an enormous effort. It was a proper derby.
“We didn’t get off to the greatest of starts and the crowd was up and for us and this group of players to turn it around in that fashion, and the resilience this group have shown.
“I’m super proud of the players. Everyone knows this isn’t an easy place to come to, they’re a good side and they’re undefeated here this year and knowing the consequences and the significance of three points to the league today it was always going to be a battle for us.
“There were going to be times we had to roll our sleeves up. But like I said after not getting off to the greatest of starts, to go and win the game is a testament to the character of the players.”
That was only a second domestic defeat Rangers have suffered under Giovanni van Bronckhorst, but both of them have been in derby games.
