soccer

Was Chermiti's overhead kick best Old Firm goal this century?

As goals go, you don't get much better than Youssef Chermiti's two for Rangers in Sunday's draw with Celtic, especially his overhead kick opener.

Ultimately, the double didn't secure his team a win, despite putting the hosts into a commanding 2-0 lead by half-time.

Comparisons to Scott McTominay's opener for Scotland in the World Cup-qualifying clinching 4-2 win against Denmark in November quickly followed.

But where does it rank in Old Firm encounters of the 21st Century? Let's have a look back at previous stunners in the fixture.

And you can vote for your favourite at the bottom.

Henrik Larsson, 2000

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Sunday's 2-2 draw was far from the first derby Martin O'Neill has overseen as Celtic manager. In his first, way back in 2000, Celtic won 6-2, with Henrik Larsson scoring an audacious chip over Stefan Klos.

The Sweden forward went on a mazy run in the Rangers half and lifted the ball over the stranded goalkeeper.

Bert Konterman, 2002

Bert Konterman scores for Rangers against Celtic in 2002
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Bert Konterman's rising long-range strike secured a 2-1 extra-time win over Celtic in the 2002 Scottish League Cup semi-final at Hampden. Rangers went on to win the trophy.

The Dutchman hovered outside the box and applied a thunderous shot past goalkeeper Rab Douglas.

Shaun Maloney, 2005

Shaun Maloney scores for Celtic against Rangers in 2005
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Three years later, Shaun Maloney, now Celtic's assistant manager, lit up a League Cup derby win with an outstanding effort from distance at Celtic Park, the opener in a 2-0 success.

Maloney cantered down Celtic's left wing, found a pocket of space and unleashed an unstoppable strike.

Ugo Ehiogu, 2007

Ugo Ehiogu celebrates after scoring for Rangers against Celtic in 2007
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When Walter Smith returned to Rangers as manager in 2007, he brought with him the knack of recording unlikely wins in derbies. A March 2007 victory at Celtic Park was sealed by Ugo Ehiogu's overhead kick.

Up for a corner, the big defender acrobatically netted the only goal of the game.

Shunsuke Nakamura, 2008

Shunsuke Nakamura scores for Celtic against Rangers in 2008
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Celtic needed a win over Rangers in April 2008 and Shunsuke Nakamura's unstoppable shot from long range set them on their way to a 2-1 win. They eventually won the league on the last day.

The Japan international took control of the ball in the inside right channel and got all his left-foot might behind a swerving shot beyond goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

Pedro Mendes, 2008

Pedro Mendes scores for Rangers against Celtic in 2008
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Four months later, Pedro Mendes produced a trademark piledriver as part of a 4-2 Rangers victory at Celtic Park.

The Portuguese midfielder was hovering at the edge of the box as the ball was played back to him at a corner and he thundered a shot past goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

Jota, 2022

Jota celebrates after scoring for Celtic against Rangers
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The second goal in a 4-0 win in a September 2022 win, Jota's chip showed all the class of Larsson's 22 years earlier.

The Portuguese winger made a darting run and stayed onside to receive Matt O'Riley's pass and nonchalantly lifted the ball over onrushing goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin.

Kyogo Furuhashi, 2023

Kyogo Furuhashi had an outstanding scoring record in the fixture and his beauty of a left-foot strike proved to be the winner in a December 2023 win for eventual champions Celtic.

The Japan forward picked up the ball on the edge of the area, set himself and picked his spot, the top-right corner.

Hamza Igamane, 2025

Hamza Igamane scores for Rangers against Celtic in 2025
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And, last season, Hamza Igamane matched that power with a late winner in Rangers' 3-2 Celtic Park victory.

Like Sunday, Celtic had come back from two down and a draw looked on the cards. Step forward Morocco international Igamane, who got the break of the ball near the edge of the box and belted a shot into the top right corner.

Youssef Chermiti, 2026

Youssef Chermiti scores for Rangers against Celtic
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The third of Chermiti's four goals against Celtic this season will live long in the memory.

The Portuguese striker rose with his back to goal to convert Andreas Skov Olsen's cross from the right and send the home crowd wild.

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