RANGERS further-asserted their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a 1-0 win over 10-men Celtic at Ibrox Stadium.
Callum McGregor scored an own goal and Nir Bitton was sent off on a torrid afternoon for Neil Lennon’s side, who are a long way off retaining their league title.
- RESULT: Rangers 1-0 Celtic
- TV/Live stream: Sky Sports Football
- Rangers XI: McGregor, Tavernier (c), Goldson, Helander, Barisic, Aribo, Davis, Kamara, Kent, Roofe, Morelos
- Celtic XI: Barkas, Frimpong, Bitton, Ajer, Laxalt, Soro, McGregor, Christie, Turnbull, Griffiths, Edouard
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THAT’S ALL FROM ME
What an entertaining afternoon of football! cards galore and a dramatic winner to keep Rangers on track for title No55.
And for Celtic? They’re off to Dubai later today, a good chance to regroup and prepare for the second half of the season.
Have a good one!
MCGREGOR SPEAKS
Allan McGregor was the hero in between the sticks for Rangers today.
He told Sky Sports after the game: “Hopefully come four- or five-months time it’ll be a huge win.
“I thought we were really really poor first half and the 15 minutes of the second half before the red card.
“We were a wee bit better after that and the win’s the most important thing.
“They looked hungrier first 50 minutes.”
TABLE CHECK
Rangers still sitting top of the table and they’re now 19 points clear.
However, Celtic do have three games in hand which could close the gap to ten if they win all of them.
GERRARD’S REACTION
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard gave his reaction to Sky Sports after his side’s 1-0 win took them 19 points clear at the top of the table.
Gerrard said: “Today was big in terms of making a statement, and proving we can win our second derby out of two.
“That’s really pleasing, but we don’t look at leads. Our season starts now.”
STEVIE G EFFECT
Games played: 22
Wins: 20
Goals: 57
Conceded: 5
Clean sheets: 18
Goal difference: +52
Credit: Getty Images
TOP SAVE
McGregor pulled off an unbelievable save to tip Griffiths’ shot onto the post early in the first half.
TITLE CHARGE
Rangers are giving themselves a good chance of winning title No55 as they go 19 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
They were rather poor in the first half and the red card in the second gave them the boost they needed to go on and win the match.
Neil Lennon got his tactics and line-up spot on for pretty much most of the game, but it was a moment of madness from Britton which threw the game away.
Credit: Getty Images
FULL-TIME STATS
Celtic saw less of the ball in the second half as expected, 49 per cent to Rangers’ 51 per cent.
The hosts had ten shots, none on target, BUT come away with all three points.
Celtic had 14 attempts but only managed to register three of those on target.
Seven cards in total. Six yellows and one red.
FT: RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC
Rangers get the job done and take all three points thanks to an own goal by Callum McGregor.
Celtic started the second half how they ended the first, on top and controlling the ball.
But it was a moment of madness from Britton which undone all of Celtic’s hardwork.
The make-shift defender wrestled Morelos down to the ground and as a consequence he was shown his marching orders.
Rangers capitalised and found themselves ahead with Aribo’s flick-on deflecting off the shoulder of McGregor and past Barkas.
Celtic’s hopes of ten league titles in a row is slipping away, they’re now 19 points behind Rangers.
PEEEEEEP!
THE FULL-TIME WHISTLE GOES AND RANGERS TAKE THE THREE POINTS!
RANGERS REMAIN UNBEATEN AND CELTIC LEAVE THEMSELVES WITH A MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON!
RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC
90+3. Laxalt floats the ball up towards Duffy who knocks the ball down to Edouard.
Edouard plays a one-two with Elyounoussi, but Goldson holds the Frenchman off.
Game is as good as done.
RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC
90+1. One last change for Rangers as Aribo makes way for Barker.
RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC
90. Four additional minutes at the end of the second half and Celtic are throwing everyone forward.
HANDBAGS
Ajer tries to bring order after some of Rangers’ players reacted badly to a challenge on Kent.
Credit: Getty Images
RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC
86. Elyounoussi dances clear of two or three players, he tries to beat Kamara but the No18 stands tall and sweeps the ball away.
The referee decides to pull the ball back for a free-kick.
RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC
85. We’re into the final five minutes and Gerrard is making another change with Kent making way for Zungu.
DIFFERENCE MAKER
Aribo’s header is the difference between the two sides.
RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC
83. McGregor is making way for Rogic who likes a Old Firm derby goal!
RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC
81. JUST OVER!
McGregor slices his clearance straight into the path of Hagi who lays it off to Itten on the edge of the penalty area.
Itten spins and sends an effort looping just over the crossbar!
RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC
80. Dreadful from Duffy as he passes the ball straight into the feet of Kent on the edge of the Celtic penalty area.
Kent cuts inside onto his right foot and sends an effort crashing off Duffy. He’s somewhat made up for his error.
RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC
79. McGregor whips the ball in towards the far post, but Rangers keep a good high line.
RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC
79. Barisic is the next man into the book for a sloppy challenge wide on the right-hand side.
Six yellows and one red in the Old Firm derby.
DEADLOCK BROKEN
Aribo’s flick on deflected off the shoulder of McGregor and past Barkas to hand Rangers the lead!
Bitton’s red card came back to bite Celtic.
Credit: Getty Images
RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC
76. Morelos is being taken off and right so, before the Colombian finds himself in more trouble.
Cedric Itten is the man to come on in his lace.
RANGERS 1-0 CELTIC
74. Kent turns and races clear of Duffy, the experienced defender knows he’s beaten for pace and swipes Kent down.
Rangers are not happy with the challenge and there’s a little scuffle on the halfway line.
Duffy, Morelos and McGregor are booked.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
