CALLUM MCGREGOR’S own goal consigned Celtic to defeat as Rangers moved 19 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Neil Lennon opted to stick with Ismaila Soro and David Turnbull in his midfield, with the likes of Scott Brown and Shane Duffy consigned to the bench.
Joe Aribo led the Rangers celebrationsCredit: Reuters
Rangers took the lead from a 70th minute set pieceCredit: Reuters
The Northern Irishman’s selections looked to be working nicely, as Celtic dominated for large spells at Ibrox.
But the match turned on Nir Bitton’s 62nd minute red card.
The Israeli, selected ahead of Duffy, was turned by Alfredo Morelos – and subsequently hauled down the Colombian.
Referee Bobby Madden had no hesitation, as he reached for his back pocket and dismissed the Celtic defender.
Rangers took the lead just eight minutes later.
James Tavernier’s corner was met by Joe Aribo, whose glancing header hit the helpless McGregor and trickled past Vasilios Barkas.
Duffy, who came on after Bitton’s dismissal, might have been shown a red himself shortly after, following a reckless, lunging challenge.
Lennon then turned to Brown, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Tom Rogic as he chased a late equaliser.
Bitton was dismissed after hauling down MorelosCredit: Rex Features
Neither side gave an inch in the tackleCredit: Reuters
Neil Lennon watched his side fall 19 points behind their bitter rivalsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But Rangers held firm to hand themselves a commanding 19 point lead at the top, although Celtic do still have three games in hand.
Gers No1 Allan McGregor told Sky Sports after the game: “Hopefully in five months’ time it will be a huge win. I thought we were really, really poor in the first half and the 15 minutes before the sending off occurred.
“We were a wee bit better after that but the win is the most important thing. I’ve no idea why but they looked hungrier first half but we managed to get the win.
“I wasn’t annoyed at having to be so busy. It’s part and parcel of the game, you need to focus and be ready for anything that is thrown at you.
“But I was annoyed at how bad we were. I keep repeating myself, the win is the most important thing.
“The boys dug it out well. If you go back to Walter’s (Smith) era, he was really good at that but that comes from the players and the messages the manager gives to us to carry out.”
Allan McGregor was forced to make some outstanding savesCredit: Reuters
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
