Celtic’s difficult week took another turn on Sunday as Rangers secured a second consecutive victory over their Glasgow rivals, but claims of an imminent points deduction should be treated with caution.
Rangers defeated Celtic 1-0 at Celtic Park on September 20, 2026, with Ryan Naderi scoring the only goal of the match in the 33rd minute. The result followed Rangers’ emphatic 3-0 victory over Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup the previous week and moved Derek McInnes’ side to within two points of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
The latest Old Firm encounter was played in front of home supporters only, continuing the unusual arrangements surrounding matches between the two clubs this season.
Refereeing controversy adds to Celtic frustration
One of the biggest talking points from the match was a decision involving Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez.
Fernandez was booked by referee John Beaton early in the game after bringing down Celtic forward Camilo Duran. Later, another challenge involving Fernandez and Celtic attacker Benjamin Nygren generated strong protests from Celtic players and supporters.
Several pundits argued that Fernandez should have received a second yellow card, which would have resulted in a red card and Rangers playing with ten men.
Former referees have also discussed the incident. The Scottish Sun reported that former officials Bobby Madden and Mark Clattenburg both considered the later incident worthy of a yellow card, although the absence of a foul call meant VAR could not intervene to issue a second yellow.
The decision has therefore become another major talking point following the latest Old Firm match, particularly given the importance of the result to the title race.
However, it is important to distinguish refereeing controversy from disciplinary punishment. There is currently no reliable confirmation that Celtic are facing a points deduction because of Sunday’s match.
No confirmed Celtic points deduction
Despite headlines suggesting that Celtic have been “rocked” by a major points-deduction threat, the confirmed information currently available does not establish that the Scottish FA or SPFL has imposed, or announced, a points deduction against Celtic arising from the September 20 match.
The disciplinary measures surrounding Celtic and Rangers this season have instead been connected to the serious crowd trouble surrounding their Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox on March 8.
The subsequent safety concerns have already had significant consequences for the Old Firm fixtures.
On September 4, the SPFL confirmed that there would be no away supporters at Celtic-Rangers matches in SPFL competitions for the remainder of the 2026/27 season. The decision followed the independent review into the March incident and discussions involving the two clubs, the SPFL and Police Scotland.
That decision explains why Rangers supporters were absent from Celtic Park on Sunday.
Rangers complete Old Firm double
On the pitch, Rangers took full advantage of Celtic’s difficult spell.
Naderi produced the decisive moment in the 33rd minute after a Rangers attack eventually resulted in the ball falling to the striker following a save from Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo.
Celtic attempted to respond but struggled to create enough clear opportunities. Rangers defended their advantage effectively and held on for another significant victory.
The SPFL confirmed that the result put Rangers just two points behind Celtic in the Premiership table.
The result also means Rangers have now beaten Celtic twice in the space of eight days, following the 3-0 League Cup victory at Ibrox.
For Celtic manager Martin O’Neill, the sequence represents a particularly difficult period. Celtic have suffered consecutive defeats against their biggest rivals, while their European campaign has also taken a setback.
What happens next?
The immediate focus will now turn to the international break and the next round of Premiership fixtures.
Rangers are scheduled to return to league action at home against Kilmarnock on October 10, while Celtic travel to face Motherwell the following day.
The title race has consequently tightened considerably, with Rangers closing the gap to two points.
Meanwhile, supporters will continue to debate the refereeing decisions from the latest derby. The Fernandez incident is likely to remain a major talking point, particularly among Celtic supporters who believe Rangers could have been reduced to ten men.
Nevertheless, there is an important distinction between fan reaction, pundit criticism and an official disciplinary charge. At present, the evidence confirms controversy surrounding the match and existing restrictions on away supporters, but it does not confirm a new Celtic points deduction.
For that reason, claims that Celtic have already been hit with a huge points deduction threat should be treated carefully unless and until the Scottish FA or SPFL makes an official announcement.
What is beyond dispute is that Rangers have delivered back-to-back victories over Celtic, moved within two points of their rivals and injected fresh tension into the Scottish Premiership title race. The next few weeks will reveal whether this is merely a difficult spell for Celtic or the beginning of a much more competitive title battle.
Sources: SPFL, RTÉ, The Guardian and reporting on the refereeing controversy.