CELTIC are in a really strong position to win the Premiership title after sharing the points with Rangers at Parkhead.
Jota had fired the home side into the lead before Fashion Sakala netted a second half equaliser.
The Light Blues striker smashed a low effort off Joe Hart’s post as the away side pushed for the winner on derby day.
But the gap remains at six points with three games left of the campaign as Ange Postecoglou’s men edge closer to title success.
The big games keep coming for Rangers who will now turn their focus to their Europa League semi-final return with RB Leipzig on Thursday night.
BEACH BALL JIBE
Rangers legend Kris Boyd couldn’t resist having a dig at Celtic fans after beach balls were launched onto the Parkhead pitch.
During the course of the game, referee John Beaton was seen removing one of the balls from the pitch.
Kris Boyd, Sky Sports pundit And speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “In a match where you don’t usually see a lot of respect between both sets of fans, I’ve got to say it was fantastic from Celtic fans today.
“They came out with beach balls and inflatables, wishing Rangers all the best in Seville.
“Hopefully that is the case and fair play to them, it’s fantastic!”
UGLY SCENES
Celtic and Rangers fans were seen launching bottles at each other in the stadium after the final whistle.
It wasn’t picked up by the Sky Sports cameras but it was reported live by Radio Scotland pundits.
Richard Gordon, appointed this week as Cove Rangers’ new PR man, said: “Watching events off to our right, we can’t see everything.
“But we can clearly see items being tossed both from the Rangers fans at the Celtic fans and from the Celtic fans into that section (with the Rangers fans).
“The stewards were there, the police were there, and the area was well marshalled.
“But something sparked one set of fans. And then you saw a rush from the Celtic fans towards them.
“They can’t get anywhere near them as the stewards are making sure that’s the case.
“And the Rangers fans can’t get out but something happened.”
TITLE STILL OVER?
By Derek McGregor
Giovanni Van Bronckhorst is realistic over his side’s Premiership chances.
Rangers had to beat Celtic to spark hopes of yet achieving two-in-a-row.
And the Dutchman confessed: “I think only a win today would give us a chance to close the gap even more.
“It’s still six points with the goal difference in favour of Celtic – so it will be more difficult after today.
“As I said before the game, we needed a win to close the gap to three points.
“We didn’t, we drew, but I couldn’t have asked for more from my players, what they have given.
“Especially in the second half, we pushed really hard to come back into the game, which we did, and get good opportunities to win this game in the final 10 or 12 minutes.”
PROVED THEMSELVES
By Derek McGregor
Giovanni van Bronckhorst insisted his Rangers side showed they’re strong enough to achieve Euro glory after their Celtic draw.
Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst He said: “I think we showed how strong we are physically and also mentally to come back from 1-0 down and get back in the game – and created good chances to win.
“I am really happy with our performance and it is the same that we need on Thursday.
“It is a demanding week physically and also very demanding for every player and the whole staff.
“But we keep on going – and Thursday is a big night.
“We can reach the final in Seville, which is of course what we want.
“That is why we work hard in the next coming days to be well prepared.”
‘DISAPPOINTED’
By Derek McGregor
Gutted Borna Barisic has conceded their Parkhead draw was ‘not enough’ for their hopes of retaining the Premiership title.
The Croat was caught out badly for the second time in three months in the East End as Jota stole in ahead of him at the far post to give Celtic a 21st minute lead.
Barisic said: “I felt we played much better second half and we created a couple of very good chances. We didn’t score.
“Unfortunately we conceded that goal first half.
“In the end it was 1-1 and we are very disappointed.
“We needed that three points.
“That was a chance for us to connect with them in the league table. We didn’t do that and we’re disappointed.
“We gave everything second half. But at end 1-1 it was not enough.”
GERS WANT IT MORE
By Colin Duncan
Stiliyan Petrov reckons Rangers showed more desire than Celtic.
The former Hoops midfielder insists the Ibrox men were the only team who wanted to win the final Old Firm clash of the season.
Petrov said: “Rangers took Celtic out of their comfort zone in the second half.
“Rangers were more aggressive. They were braver and took more risks.
“They looked after the ball more and they just wanted it more.
“Celtic wanted to finish the game as quickly as possible but it was the opposite for Rangers.”
Petrov felt the Premiership leaders could have been out of sight by half-time if Daizen Maeda was more clinical.
The Japanese striker passed up a glorious chance when he pulled out of a challenge with Gers keeper Allan McGregor.
Petrov said: “You have to convert your chances when you have control of the game.
“You have to be brave and go and attack it.
“The game would have been over if (Maeda) took both of his chances.”
UNLUCKY GERS
While Boyd reckons the result of the final Old Firm game didn’t matter for Rangers he believes they should have won it.
The Premiership’s record goalscorer is adamant Ryan Kent and Fashion Sakala should have converted golden chances.
Kris Boyd, Sky Sports pundit He said: “Kent’s was an easier chance than the one Jota took to give Celtic the lead.
“He has got to score. Anthony Ralston’s body shape is the exact same as Borna Barisic.
“He has no clue that Kent is there. Kent gets ahead of him and has to score.
“It was a great second half for Rangers and they were the better team but Sakala had a great opportunity to win it.
“His goal was excellently taken. It was a fantastic finish, but he was unlucky not to get a second.
“Rangers were very unlucky not to come away with a victory.”
SUCCESS
By Colin Duncan
Kris Boyd insisted avoiding defeat was all that mattered for Rangers ahead of their showdown with Red Bull Leipzig.
He said: “Thursday is a massive game and the title was over anyway for Rangers.
“The most important thing was coming here and not getting beat.
“It was vital to leave with no injuries and hopefully get Aaron Ramsey and Kemar Roofe back as that will give them a better opportunity of overturning that 1-0 first leg deficit.
“That little blip after Christmas cost them the league – throwing away a two-goal lead to Motherwell and then losing to Celtic. “
LEARNED LESSON
James McFadden insists Borna Barisic should have learned his lesson by now.
The Rangers full-back was badly at fault when he allowed Jota to run across him for Celtic’s opening goal.
It was almost a carbon copy of his blunder when Liel Abada ghosted in behind him to score at Parkhead in February.
Barisc was caught on his heels both times as he failed to deal with a cross from the right flank.
McFadden said: “It is something Celtic have done all season.
“You know when the ball comes into that area you have to open your body up.
“You have to be aware of where Jota is. You have to make first contact or go and meet the ball then clear it.
“It is no surprise it has happened again to Barisic.”
PROUD GIO
Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has admitted his disappointment at dropping points but says he is proud of his team’s performance.
He reckons their missed chances late on cost them the three points.
Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “We needed a win to close the gap to three points.
“We drew, I think we did everything, I couldn’t have asked more from my players what they’ve given today, especially in the second half.
“We pushed really hard to come back into the game, which we did, good opportunities to win this game in the final 10 or 12 minutes.
“We did everything we could to win this game, but in the end, we are two points short.
“I think after 60, 65 minutes we were getting stronger and stronger, I think we did really well in those moments, created great chances.
“We hit the post, Fashion was one vs one with Hart, what can you ask for more?
“The only thing is we didn’t score the big chances we had.”
TOUGH GAME
Jota is disappointed Celtic didn’t come away with three points today but has admitted it was a tough game against their rivals.
“It’s always a tough game against Rangers so I think we did our best. We fought for the win but unfortunately we couldn’t do it so we go again next week.”
Jota says that his goal came from the training ground as he revealed that it’s something the club has been working on.
He said: “It’s something that we work a lot, which is the cross to the back post to score.
“It’s something we’ve been doing for the whole season and getting it today was great.”
ANGE SPEAKS
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou admits he’s happy with a point after a tough Old Firm contest.
He hailed goalkeeper Joe Hart for his performance between the sticks.
He told Sky Sports: “It was a cracking game, you know, it was intense and both teams had chances to get more goals.
“Ultimately though it was a good contest between two good team and I’m pleased that we got a draw out of it.
“We had the chances to get the second and the third but they stayed in it and they have nothing to lose so they’re going to throw men forward and put us under pressure – which we expected if we were going to be ahead.
“We dealt with it but it was difficult at times.
“Joe Hart hasn’t had to make many saves all season but he was outstanding today and it’s why we brought him to this football club.”
SAKALA REACTS
Rangers striker Fashion Sakala is proud of his side’s performance to draw at Parkhead, but admits they should have scored more.
He told Sky Sports: “We know how important this game was for us so it was difficult coming to play here, but I think we did really well and we tried especially in the second half.
“It was very important (to get the equaliser) and at half-time we talked about it and it was just disappointing about the other chances we had but we tried our best.”
The striker was delighted to get his goal but he’s still disappointed that he didn’t manage to bag a second.
He said: “It was a very special goal and very important for the team but I think In could have done better with the second chance I had, but as I said, I just tried my best.”
FULL-TIME STATS
The stats from full-time, taken from Google.
FULL-TIME: CELTIC 1-1 RANGERS
The match ended as a draw at Celtic Park and that means the league isn’t over – just yet!
The hosts should have blown Rangers away in the first half after having several chances in front of goal.
Fashion Sakala striking the equalising goal But it was Fashion Sakala who clawed a goal back in the second half and could have added a couple more to his tally.
Celtic will be frustrated that they haven’t all-but clinched the title but a point still keeps them in the driving seat.
Reaction to follow.
FULL-TIME: CELTIC 1-1 RANGERS
CELTIC 1 RANGERS 1
91′ Goldson picks up a YELLOW CARD for dissent.
TWO MINUTES ADDED ON!!
CELTIC 1 RANGERS 1
86′ Diallo receives a YELLOW CARD just a minute after coming on after a late ditch challenge on Abada.
The winger would have been through on goal if it wasn’t for the challenge.
CELTIC 1 RANGERS 1
86′ Rangers make a change.
- OFF – Arfield
- ON – Diallo
CELTIC 1 RANGERS 1
85′ Sakala was one-on-one with Hart and he beat the goalkeeper but couldn’t keep his effort on target as he smashes his effort off the post.
RANGERS HIT THE POST!!
CELTIC 1 RANGERS 1
Huge save from Hart!
Wright crosses the ball in to Arfield who takes a first time shot but it was parried by Hart.
Hart was then called into action again a few seconds later but he caught the chance.
CELTIC 1 RANGERS 1
82′ Starfelt puts Hart under pressure with a dangerous pass.
The goalkeeper manages to clear but nearly slips on the ball as Kent and Sakala chase.
CELTIC 1 RANGERS 1
77′ Celtic make a change as Maeda makes way.
- OFF – Maeda
- ON – Abada
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
