RANGERS have equalised at Celtic Park through Alfredo Morelos’ header after the Hoops took the lead through Mo Elyounoussi’s spectacular diving header.
Stay up to date with all the action from Celtic Park in our live blog, below…
THAT’S ALL FROM CELTIC PARK
So the third Old Firm derby of the season ends in a draw that has both managers taking plenty of positives.
However, this will be remembered as the game in which Alfredo Morelos finally found the net against Celtic – and in which the champions kept their unbeaten run going. Will Rangers end the season as invincibles?
The Scottish Premiership now splits for the remaining five games of the season, and we will soon learn when Celtic will get their fourth and final chance to stop Steven Gerrard’s men from going through the campaign unbeaten.
Until then, thanks for reading and goodbye.
GERRARD REACTION
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has taken plenty of positives from this afternoon’s Old Firm game, although admitted his side grew tired following their recent hectic schedule.
I thought it was a good game with both sides trying to win it. We tried to be positive with our substitutions, while Celtic had some good opportunities. It was all set for someone to go and grab it and win it. But we’re away from home, we’re the champions, we’ve taken seven points out of nine in terms of Old Firm games, and we’re still 20 points clear. This is a more positive result for us than them.
Steven Gerrard
PENALTY DEBATE
Both John Kennedy and Scott Brown believe Celtic should have had a penalty in the first half when Odsonne Edouard went down under Borna Barisic’s challenge.
Do you agree with Celtic’s interim manager and captain, or did Willie Collum get it right in booking Edouard for simulation? You decide.
KENNEDY REACTION
John Kennedy also felt his side should have had a spotkick in the first half, but the Celtic’s interim manager was happy with the improvement in his team’s performance, and believed they deserved more from the game.
It was a pleasing performance, I thought we were dominant for most of the game. We created numerous chances and should have had a penalty kick. Allan McGregor’s pulled off a few saves, we’ve had a few half-chances and we just needed one of those to drop. We should have been more clinical, but moving forward, we know our levels and we showed them today in large parts.
John Kennedy
BUFALO DANCE
At the 15th time of asking, Alfredo Morelos finally broke his duck in Old Firm derbies.
It was league goal number 55 for the Rangers striker.
GREAT SCOTT
Celtic captain Scott Brown was named Man of the Match by the Sky Sports pundits, and the midfielder has been giving his thoughts at full time.
In the first half we were exceptional and could have had three or four. We were denied a penalty as well, it’s a stonewaller, there’s no need for Odsonne [Edouard] to go down. There’s contact, we’ve seen it at half-time. It’s probably a foul on Jonjoe [too in the build-up to their goal]. We’ve had enough chances to win the game, I thought we were very good today. Today’s team performance was miles better than we have been this season, and we should have got three points.
Scott Brown
FULL TIME STATS
Both sides had their chances to win the match in the second half although the hosts will perhaps be the more disappointed of the two.
Celtic’s 16 attempts on goal are the most Rangers have faced in the Scottish Premiership this season.
FT: CELTIC 1-1 RANGERS
The third Old Firm derby of the season ends in a draw at Celtic Park after Alfredo Morelos cancelled out Mohamed Elyounoussi’s opener in the first half. The champions remain unbeaten, but it means Celtic have stopped a clean sweep of Rangers victories, and the Blues will now be unable to match the Hoops’ 106 points of four years ago.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THE FULL TIME WHISTLE GOES!
CELTIC 1-1 RANGERS
90+1. Goldson escapes from Ajer to connect with Barisic’s delivery, but he’s unable to steer it down and it sails over.
There will be no repeat of the Rangers captain’s goal here earlier in the season.
CELTIC 1-1 RANGERS
90. As three minutes of stoppage time are signalled, Rangers force a corner.
CELTIC 1-1 RANGERS
89. Leigh Griffiths and Ismaila Soro come on for Odsonne Edouard and Scott Brown.
CELTIC 1-1 RANGERS
86. Is a goal coming?!
First, Edouard fails to turn in a brilliant Kenny cross from the right, and then the hosts nearly shoot themselves in the foot at the other end.
In attempting to clear Wright’s through pass, Bain boots the ball against Ajer, and the rebound only just evades Roofe.
The Celtic goalkeeper affords himself a laugh but nobody in green would have been smiling if that had ended up in the net.
CELTIC 1-1 RANGERS
85. Both goalscorers are now off the pitch. Mohamed Elyounoussi departs, and Tom Rogic is on.
CELTIC 1-1 RANGERS
84. Now Rangers go searching for a winner.
Kent, Davis and Arfield attempt to work an opening on the right before a cross into the six-yard-box has Roofe attempting to bundle home.
CELTIC 1-1 RANGERS
82. Celtic probe down the left again, the flank on which Laxalt has been excellent in the second half.
His cross is headed partially clear, but Kenny’s follow-up volley from distance forces McGregor into action down low to his left..
CELTIC 1-1 RANGERS
80. Into the final ten minutes, and this derby is still up for grabs.
With each side allowed five substitutions, the flurry of changes inevitably slow the game down.
However, there are still a number of matchwinners on the pitch.
CELTIC 1-1 RANGERS
78. Now Celtic make their switch!
It’s the return of James Forrest to Celtic Park, the forward is on for his taste of home action since September. He replaces David Turnbull.
CELTIC 1-1 RANGERS
77. Two more Rangers substitutions. Scott Wright and Kemar Roofe are on for Joe Aribo and Alfredo Morelos.
Celtic are yet to make a single change.
CELTIC 1-1 RANGERS
75. Challenged by Helander, Edouard falls in the penalty area again but there’s no question of a spotkick.
In fact, there’s less contact and more theatrics than the incident in the first half that saw the striker booked for simulation.
CELTIC 1-1 RANGERS
72. Another good save from McGregor!
A brilliant pass from Christie dissects the Rangers defence and sends Turnbull down the left.
Under pressure from Davis, the midfielder weighs up his options in the middle before going for goal himself. His fierce low strike is turned behind by McGregor’s foot at the near post.
From the corner, Edouard heads over the crossbar.
CELTIC 1-1 RANGERS
71. Laxalt gets the better of Patterson in their latest individual battle, and slips a pass through for Edouard.
There’s a little too much on the ball, however, and that’s enough to take it through to the alert McGregor.
CELTIC 1-1 RANGERS
70. Celtic are attempting to crank up the pressure although there’s no sign of a change from John Kennedy as of yet.
A Turnbull set-piece is well defended by Helander before Patterson stops Laxalt in his tracks.
CELTIC 1-1 RANGERS
66. Laxalt is the latest name pencilled inside Willie Collum’s notebook. The left-back is cautioned for a foul on Morelos.
CELTIC 1-1 RANGERS
65. It’s another change for the visitors.
Ianis Hagi has had a quiet game and now his time is up. Scott Arfield comes on in his place.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
