The dust has barely settled on a pulsating 2-2 draw at Ibrox, but the debate surrounding Youssef Chermiti’s opening goal is only just beginning. When the Portuguese striker rose into the Govan air in the 8th minute to meet Andreas Skov Olsen’s cross, he didn’t just give Rangers the lead; he created a “where were you” moment. It was a strike of such pure, unadulterated athleticism that it immediately invited comparisons to Scott McTominay’s legendary World Cup-qualifying clincher against Denmark.
However, within the unique, high-pressure cooker of the Glasgow Derby, goals aren’t just measured by their aesthetic beauty—they are measured by their legacy. Chermiti’s brace ultimately didn’t secure the three points, but his overhead kick has secured a spot in the history books. To see exactly where he lands, we’ve gone through the archives to rank the Top 5 Old Firm Goals of the 21st Century.
5. Bert Konterman: The Hampden Piledriver (2002)
If you like your goals with a side of raw power, look no further than the 2002 League Cup semi-final. Dutchman Bert Konterman was often a polarising figure at Ibrox, but he silenced every critic with one swing of his right boot. Hovering 30 yards out, Konterman latched onto a loose ball and unleashed a rising rocket that flew past Rab Douglas before the keeper could even set his feet. It was an extra-time winner that propelled Rangers to trophy success and remains the definitive “long-range” derby strike of the modern era.
4. Shunsuke Nakamura: The Physics-Defier (2008)
In April 2008, Celtic needed a hero to keep their title hopes alive. Step forward, Shunsuke Nakamura. Picking the ball up in the inside-right channel, the Japan international struck a swerving, dipping effort from 30 yards that seemed to defy the laws of physics. The ball bent away from a peak Allan McGregor with such violence that it appeared to change direction twice in mid-air. It set the tone for a 2-1 win and a subsequent run to the league title. For pure technical ball-striking, it has never been bettered.
3. Youssef Chermiti: The Ibrox Acrobat (2026)
The newest entry on our list takes the bronze medal. What makes Chermiti’s effort so special is the intentionality. Often, overhead kicks in this fixture are “scruffy” or opportunistic. This was tactical. Chermiti tracked Skov Olsen’s cross perfectly, adjusted his body weight while moving away from the goal, and connected with a “bicycle” motion that sent the ball into the top-right corner with terrifying speed. With four goals against Celtic this season already, Chermiti is cementing himself as a modern-day derby specialist.
2. Ugo Ehiogu: The Parkhead Overhead (2007)
Before Chermiti, there was the late, great Ugo Ehiogu. In March 2007, Walter Smith’s Rangers were huge underdogs heading to Celtic Park. The game was deadlocked until a corner was swung in; Ehiogu, a towering centre-back not known for his flair, produced a moment of shocking agility. He threw himself into the air and hooked a stunning overhead kick into the net. It was the only goal of the game and remains one of the most celebrated “unlikely” moments in Rangers’ history. The sheer shock factor of a defender scoring such a goal gives it the edge over Chermiti.
1. Henrik Larsson: The King of Chips (2000)
The gold standard remains unchanged. In Martin O’Neill’s first-ever Old Firm game, Henrik Larsson scored a goal that defined an entire generation of Celtic dominance. After nutmegging Bert Konterman with a subtle flick that left the defender spinning, Larsson looked up and saw Stefan Klos slightly off his line. Most players would have drilled it; the Swede simply “dinked” it. The ball hung in the Glasgow air for an eternity before dropping perfectly under the crossbar. It was the centrepiece of a 6-2 win and represents the absolute pinnacle of individual skill in this fixture.
The Honorable Mentions
Narrowing this list down to five was almost impossible. We have to mention Jota’s 2022 chip, which was a beautiful homage to Larsson, and Shaun Maloney’s 2005 thunderbolt that signalled his arrival as a top-tier talent. Last season, Hamza Igamane also threw his hat in the ring with a late winner that nearly burst the net at Celtic Park. The standard is incredibly high, but for now, Chermiti sits comfortably among the legends.
🗣️ THE FITBA FOCUS POLL: VOTE NOW!
The rankings are in, but football is a game of opinions. Did we get it right? Does Chermiti deserve the top spot, or is Larsson still the King of the Derby?
- Which goal is your #1 of all time?
- Did we miss a classic? (Pedro Mendes? Kyogo?)
Co-Founder of Fitba Focus and MMA UK. A lifelong Rangers fan and former player, he combines over a decade of sports media experience with a deep-seated passion for the Scottish game. From the Ibrox stands to the lower-league terraces, Frankie is dedicated to providing honest, fan-led analysis of the full Scottish pyramid.
