Vice-captain Dan Neil admits Rangers "probably weren't ready for" their European fixtures earlier this season, which ultimately ended with exits from the Europa and Conference Leagues. (Premier Sports on YouTube, external)
Image source, SNSNaderi impressed beyond just his goal at Parkhead
Rangers will carry the "awesome" feeling of back-to-back derby victories through the international break, says Parkhead hero Ryan Naderi.
The German striker, 23, scored the only goal of the game on Sunday as Rangers moved to within two points of their rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership, having knocked Celtic out of the League Cup a week earlier.
His all-round game was impressive as he led Rangers' press, ran channels and linked play, in addition to his tidy first-time finish.
"It's awesome, to be honest, to win two times against Celtic, and then go into a break is an amazing feeling," Naderi said.
"You will carry this throughout the whole days and weeks off.
"We have to still understand that we have a whole season in front of us still.
"So we should just keep this up, not fly too high, just stay focused and keep going as we are, stay together as a team, even in bad times and good times, it's just important to always stick together as a team and go forward.
"Really big [win] honestly, really big."
Naderi, who shook off an ankle injury to start on Sunday, says the team spirit in the Rangers dressing room is now obvious after a tricky start to the campaign.
"With the win at home we wanted to go there and show that we can do it away as well," he said.
"Amazing fight from the whole team, good spirit from the whole game and just so happy to win there.
"I think you see this togetherness, by the goals we concede, not many. We play a lot of games to zero.
"That means that we just are very compact, we work together, look at each other, where the person next to you stands, and when you're so stable defensively, you will always have chances to score and then you win games."
Image source, SNSDefender Olwethu Makhanya hailed Rangers' focus as they sealed another derby victory over Celtic on Sunday.
Ryan Naderi's first-half goal was the difference between the sides at Parkhead as Rangers moved within two points of their rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Having kept four successive clean sheets, Makhanya says his partnership at the back with Emmanuel Fernandez is growing game by game.
"We knew it was going to be a difficult game, so we told ourselves we need to be 100% focused through the whole game and that's what we did as a team," he told RangersTV.
"The partnership and relationship between me and Fernandez is growing really good - the togetherness and willingness to fight for one another has been really helpful."
The 22-year-old had a stunning volley disallowed for handball, but he says he suspected it would be chalked off.
"I wasn't sure whether to celebrate because I knew it hit my hand, but I went and celebrated anyway."
Image source, SNSCeltic remain the team to beat despite Rangers' back-to-back derby wins, according to Ian Durrant.
Celtic have lost three straight matches in all competitions, including the two defeats by Rangers, but remain two points ahead of their rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Durrant - who won 13 major honours as a player at Ibrox - is excited by Rangers' recent form, but says they still have work to do to be considered Scotland's top team.
"Rangers are very young and inexperienced but they're sticking together and they're showing signs that they could be a good team," the 59-year-old said, speaking at a press conference to promote the SPFL Tennent's Sixes at Glasgow's Braehead Arena next month.
"They've got a lot of physicality about them. But it's very early days now, nothing's given out in September.
"You've got to make sure you go on a run now and make sure you hang on to Celtic.
"There's a lot of hard work still to do. It's good just now but there's a lot of tough games coming up.
"Celtic are the benchmark for where Rangers are trying to get to. We're still chasing Celtic. They're the team to beat.
"Rangers have not got that experience just now. Rangers are playing well just now but Celtic have got that experience, players that have been over the course.
"They're what all teams are trying to aim for. If we can overtake Celtic then we've got a fair chance of winning the league."
We asked for your views after Rangers beat Celtic for the second time in a week and moved within two points of their rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership
Here's what some of you had to say:
Derek: It's the beginning for Rangers and the beginning of the end for Celtic. We are gaining confidence to go with our work rate and physicality. It is a Rangers I can identify with, what we have wanted as fans. Directness, power, running and a strong bond. Ryan Naderi has been superb up front and has epitomised what has been the message. Olwethu Makhanya is an incredible signing and unflappable.
Louise: I had wondered if a repeat of last weekend was possible, but what a performance again from Rangers. Makhanya and Naderi were both excellent, Dan Neil controlled the midfield and that was probably Dujon Sterling's best performance in a Rangers shirt. If we had taken our chances and had a bit more quality in the final third it could have been a cricket score, but one goal was enough to silence Parkhead. This team have grown up very quickly and have now shown what they are capable of so hopefully they will only continue to go and improve. Derek McInnes has made his mark as Rangers manager now and whatever happens next, we must let him build on it.
Sally: Last week it was Dan Neil running the midfield, this week it was Nico Raskin. Naderi was outstanding upfront and Djeidi Gassama so unlucky with his shot on goal. I was surprised McInnes did not change his tactics and that Celtic did not learn from last week's result.
Chris: Wasn't too sure of Makhanya when he first signed but today's performance was like a kick about in the back garden with the kids for him. The finish for his disallowed goal was absolutely stunning too.
Brian: A great all-round display from the goalkeeper to the centre-forward. This game was a perfect opportunity to show everyone that this team can be successful. Rangers play far better with the 4-4-2 formation in my opinion.
Rangers secured back-to-back wins over Celtic after following a 3-0 League Cup win at Ibrox with a 1-0 Scottish Premiership victory at Celtic Park.
Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday was on punditry duty for BBC Scotland and he praised manager Derek McInnes for improving the Ibrox side's fortunes after an early-season European exit.
"Take it back a month when Derek McInnes was under real pressure," Halliday said. "A big thing that was quite confusing to people is, 'it doesn't look like a Derek McInnes team'.
"Wow, how that narrative has completely changed over the last three, four weeks. That for me is a Derek McInnes team, what we watched. Front foot, aggressive, making contact with people, when they win the ball back playing forward, running forward and putting Celtic under constant pressure for large parts of the game.
"The second half was even better than the first from Rangers. Complete control, waves of attack. It wasn't until probably the last five, 10 minutes when Celtic started to put Rangers under any pressure.
"I honestly don't think I've ever seen a Rangers team go to Celtic Park and get so many easy touches of the ball. I thought there was an M8 motorway between the teams and not the width of the M8, probably the length."
Ryan Naderi scored the game's only goal before half-time and former Rangers forward Peter Lovenkrands was impressed with how McInnes and the visitors picked up the three points.
"Coming here now, at Celtic Park and winning for two in a row is an unbelievable achievement for him and the team and the club," said the Dane.
"For Rangers, it's going to give them so much confidence."
Image source, SNS
Rangers earned a second Old Firm derby win in a week to cut the gap to Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic to two points and deepen the gloom at their city rivals.
Image source, SNSRangers manager Derek McInnes: "It's such an important win for us. To follow it up on the back of last week was really important.
"In the context of the season, it's just three points and it gets us three points closer to Celtic. We understood if we lost the game, that distance just starts to feel uncomfortable for us.
"It's still very early on. There's still 80-odd points to play for but I do think that winning here, particularly because we've got a young team, can only give them some much-needed confidence and belief on the back of last week.
"I like putting my name to this team at the minute and I think we've got a good thing going but we know how quickly that can change so we just try to keep those bad days to a minimum."
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSIvor Pandur insists Rangers are not focusing on the consequences of winning or losing their Scottish Premiership derby with Celtic on Sunday as they look to repeat the level they showed when the teams met last weekend.
The Ibrox side dominated at home as they ran out comprehensive 3-0 winners over Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final, with Martin O'Neill's side defeated again midweek by Ferencvaros in the Europa League.
Rangers currently trail last season's champions by five points, with Celtic holding a 100% league record as they look to defend their title.
When asked whether they considered the outcomes of potentially moving within two points of Celtic or dropping eight behind, goalkeeper Pandur replied: "Not really. I think we just need to focus on what we can do."
That means concentrating on carrying out the gameplan and manager Derek McInnes' instructions.
"I think we did a really good job [in the win over Celtic]," Pandur said. "Obviously we had a week to prepare to see what we can improve and do better, but the performance was good and we just want to do the same."
Rangers enjoyed the backing of exclusive home support, with no away fans at the cup meeting, and the roles are reversed on Sunday.
"You just focus on the game," Pandur said. "The noise outside, everything, you need to shut it out and focus only on the pitch.
"We know they are a good team. It's easy for them, it's their stadium, their fans, it's still a game of football. We know they'll see what they do wrong, they'll try to improve, they'll try to do things better and we need to be ready for it.
The 26-year-old doesn't buy into the idea that Celtic are vulnerable after their latest two defeats.
"They play at home, the fans will be behind them, give them energy," Pandur added.
Image source, SNSDan Neil scored twice as Rangers beat Celtic 3-0 in the Premier Sports Cup last Sunday
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain returns to the Celtic squad to face Rangers in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday after the midfielder was suspended for Thursday's Europa League match against Ferencvaros.
Manager Martin O'Neill will assess those who played against the Hungarian side.
Yang Hyun-jun is still away at the Asian Games with South Korea, while Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand and Jota remain out.
Rangers striker Ryan Naderi and an unnamed player are doubts.
Left-back Tuur Rommens is back in training after a lengthy spell out with a groin injury, but Lawrence Shankland, Youssef Chermiti and Daisuke Yokota are still out.
New Bologna head coach Raffaele Palladino has praised Lewis Ferguson's versatility and intelligence after the 27-year-old Scotland midfielder's verbal agreement to join Rangers this summer failed to produce a concrete approach. (Daily Record, external)
Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg says Connor Barron has yet to make his debut on loan from Rangers as nobody in his side currently deserves to drop out. (Northern Echo, external)
Former United States goalkeeper Kasey Keller, who worked under Martin O'Neill with Leicester City, has revealed he almost joined the Northern Irishman at Celtic while Rangers also showed interest in him at different stages of his career. (The Scotsman, external)
Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Image source, SNSRangers have been in contact with the Scottish FA over Celtic midfielder Mika Baur's challenge on Ryan Naderi that left the striker's ankle in a "mess", says Derek McInnes.
Naderi is a doubt for Sunday's league derby at Celtic Park following the second-half incident - which resulted in a free-kick to Celtic - in Rangers' 3-0 League Cup win over Martin O'Neill's side last weekend.
"Well, I haven't (sought an explanantion) but the club have," said manager McInnes.
"The club, (chief executive) Jim Gillespie, spoke to (referees' chief) Willie Collum and the SFA about it. I'm really not happy with the challenge, but I'm not going to get caught up in referee chat.
"I'm surprised that the referee wasn't asked to look at that. I find it strange that it wasn't. Ryan's ankle's a mess. It was a mess, it was a poor challenge.
"Sometimes these challenges can happen, but it didn't look great, to be honest. And Ryan is one of two players who's a wee bit of doubt for the game on Sunday."
With Lawrence Shankland and Youssef Chermiti out injured, Naderi's absence would leave Kevin Kelsy and Bojan Miovski as Rangers' only two available strikers.
"We don't really have another like-for-like, but we'll give him every chance," added McInnes.
"We've had to cope without key players before. I'm hoping he can make it, but if he doesn't, it will be somebody else's opportunity."
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSRangers manager Derek McInnes has been speaking with the media before the trip to face Old Firm rivals Celtic in the Premiership on Sunday (12:00 BST).
Here are the key points:
McInnes confirmed the club have spoken with SFA head of referees Willie Collum about Mika Baur's challenge on Ryan Naderi last weekend that has left the German striker as a doubt for Sunday.
He says: "I'm really not happy with the challenge, but I'm not going to get caught up in referee chat. I'm surprised that the referee wasn't asked to look at that. I find it strange that it wasn't. Ryan's ankle's a mess. It was a mess, it was a poor challenge. Sometimes these challenges can happen, but it didn't look great."
Tuur Rommens trained after injury and may be available. An "unnamed player" is a doubt along with Naderi.
McInnes insists Rangers will need another "big performance" and "that bit more" to overcome Celtic despite comprehensively beating them 3-0 at Ibrox last weekend in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final.
With observers noting McInnes got his tactics right in that win, the Rangers manager is keen to downplay that aspect. He says: "I think sometimes tactics can get a wee bit overplayed. So I do think you normally win games during the individual moments and the performance of players being really high and really strong. You don't win at Celtic Park unless everybody plays well. So we've got to try and bring something similar and look for those improvements again."
He says having no fans at the game can be "overhyped", and so can the negative week Celtic have endured after also losing in the Europa League to Ferencvaros.
He adds: "The game's a game. I think once the ball rolls, it's a game of football that we need to concentrate on the detail."
McInnes "can't wait" for his return to Celtic Park with his previous visit being the final game of last season when Celtic pipped Hearts to the title. He says: "I'm looking forward to it. It's something that I've always wanted to do. it's just all about the game and we'll be really busy with the game and focused on the game to think of anything else."
McInnes insists that despite momentum being with Rangers while Celtic struggle, the narrative can quickly change with Martin O'Neill's side capable of opening an eight-point gap over their rivals.
He explains: "I think you're constantly aware of that at a club like Rangers. You're only one bad result away from getting a belt in the mouth again. And you've got to try and keep those to a minimum, as much as you can. We've worked hard to get to where we are at the minute."
Image source, SNSWill Rangers boss Derek McInnes stick with the same tactical set-up that worked a treat against Celtic last weekend?
The sides meet again on Sunday, this time in the Premiership, with Celtic reeling from a 3-0 Ibrox loss in the League Cup and 3-1 Europa League defeat at home to Ferencvaros.
Rangers are aiming to move within two points of the Premiership leaders by securing back-to-back derby wins, while defeat at Parkhead would leave McInnes' men eight adrift.
"The guy that would have been rubbing his hands watching that [Ferencvaros] game last night is Derek McInnes because it was a game that again showed Celtic are fragile and vulnerable," said The Guardian's Ewan Murray on the BBC Scottish football podcast.
"Rangers have given them a bloody nose just days ago and Celtic's confidence has got to be even lower now.
"Rangers' tactical set-up will be really interesting. Derek has a habit of maybe changing something. James Penrice in midfield obviously worked, but something tells me he maybe won't do that again, he'll do something different.
"But he and the Rangers players have a right to be really confident about this game. I think generally in midfield, Rangers have got Celtic's number.
"And actually McInnes has got Celtic's number because he did it for Hearts last season bar obviously one game, but particularly two games at Tynecastle where Hearts dominated Celtic in that midfield area, bullied them and bossed them and won the game."
Rangers believe they cannot afford to sell Bojan Miovski in January despite the 27-year-old North Macedonia international remaining third-choice striker behind Kevin Kelsy and Ryan Naderi. (Football Insider, external)
Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.
