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.
However, things turned sour at the end of the game as fans lobbed missiles at one another.
Both clubs released statements of their own and eight arrests were made by cops.
CALMAC LEADS THE WAY
Last but not least for The Hoops – Callum McGregor has been given the title of Player of the Year!
The captain has been a colossal figure in the heart of Ange Postecoglou’s side this season.
And he’s now been given individual recognition for his efforts too.
The 28-year-old picked up both the players and club POTY award, rounding off the night of awards for the Celts.
Award for Abada
Celtic have named Liel Abada as their Fans Young Player of the Year.
The tricky forward has 15 goals and nine assists to his name so far this season.
Hoops fans voted in the award and named the 20-year-old as their best performing youngster.
His season highlights include a dramatic 90th minute winner against Dundee United in January, and a strike against Rangers the month following.
Kyogo is goal king for Celts
Kyogo Furuhashi has picked up Celtic’s top goalscorer award and goal of the season award.
The Hoops striker has notched 17 goals in all competitions since arriving from Vissel Kobe in the summer.
Kyogo Furuhashi won two prizes at Celtic’s player pf the year doCredit: Alamy He’s proved a fan favourite and goals like his winner against Hibs in the League Cup Final – which earned him the goal of the season gong – cemented that status.
Crowd chaos
CELTIC have hit back at a statement from Rangers criticising the police at today’s Old Firm clash, claiming their own supporters were attacked with bottles and SEATS.
The Light Blues released an initial statement condemning a lack of action from cops that they said left their fans “unprotected” and led to injuries to elderly and disabled people.
The Parkhead club however claim seating from the stadium was ripped apart and launched towards fans and stewards.
They also talked about incidents from the Old Firm match at Ibrox last month.
Rest for Reo
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has given a response to the calls over Reo Hatate’s fitness.
The Japanese international has had a persistent run of games for club and country as of late, leaving some fans to question whether he should be given more time to recover.
Asked whether his withdrawal today was a result of fatigue, Postecoglou responded:
“To a certain extent.
“For them, Matty O’Riley is 21-years-old and for Reo this is his first sort of journey outside of his own country and it has new challenges.
“I have said all along that there is a relentlessness when you play for this football club and you can’t rest on what you did last week or even the last pass or the last action. It’s constant and it’s always there.
“But you are never going to build that into players if you shield them away from it.
“This year my thoughts were just to expose as many of our players to it as I could. Earlier in the year we were throwing guys in without even training and the expectations are still there, you have to perform.”
Ange Postecoglou
What a hit
The PFA have picked Tom Rogic’s Tannadice stunner from December as their goal of the season.
The Aussie faced firm competition for the award but came out on top at the award ceremony tonight.
Taking the ball just over the half-way line – a mazy run took the midfielder by three Dundee United jerseys on his way to the box.
With seemingly nobody able to stop him he continued on to the middle of the box before unleashing a curling finish into the bottom corner.
What an effort it was!
One step closer
Kyogo Furuhashi has reminded fans that his Celtic side are getting nearer and nearer to the league title.
The Japanese striker was brought off after 62 minutes in today’s Old Firm – but he’s clearly focused on the potentially title securing tie with Hearts next week already!
Welsh wins at Celtic POTY
Stephen Welsh has won Celtic’s academy player of the year award.
The centre-half was a regular starter at the beginning of the season as Carl Starfelt took time to settle at Parkhead.
Stephen Welsh has scooped Celtic’s young player of the year awardCredit: Kenny Ramsay Since then he has been a rotational player but his performances have remained solid.
The Hoops are hosting their annual awards night as we speak, with further announcements to come.
It’s a must
Ange Postecoglou has to make permanent moves for Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers his priority in the summer.
That’s according to Rangers hero Neil McCann – who reckons the on-loan duo have become essential members of the Celtic squad.
23-year-old Jota was the one to net an early opener for The Hoops in today’s Old Firm.
However, he and Carter-Vickers are both currently only on loan in at the club, and could return to their parent sides at the end of the current campaign.
McCann thinks the Parkhead club have to make sure both return to Postecoglou’s squad next season.
Close Game
Joe Hart described Rangers as “proper opposition” as he talked up the importance of today’s Old Firm in regards to the title race.
The goalkeeper praised his Light Blues opponents but also feels his side could’ve came out as worthy winners at the same time.
He said: “They’re a good team. Champions last year, semi-finalists in a top European competition.
“We’re playing against proper opposition and we worked hard to make those chances.
“No, we didn’t take them. On another day, we could’ve been more comfortable but ultimately we weren’t.
“Tight game, tight game.”
Fan fallout
Rangers have hit out at the policing of today’s Old Firm match at Celtic Park.
The Glasgow giants drew 1-1 on the pitch, but rumours circulated afterwards that supporters had thrown bottles and missiles at each other in the game’s aftermath.
The Ibrox club had 800 fans backing them from the away corner of the ground.
But whilst their section was heavily flooded with Police presence, Rangers feel the authorities did nowhere near enough to keep supporters safe.
The statement even revealed elderly and disabled fans had been left needing treatment.
All over now
John Hartson claims today’s Old Firm draw between Celtic and Rangers means the battle for the league title is FINISHED.
Ange Postecoglou’s side sit six points clear at the top with just three games of the season to play.
Celtic legend John Hartson And The Hoops hero reckons the 1-1 draw at Parkhead means the title race is officially done and dusted for another year.
He tweeted: “(Celtic) Could have won, should have won.. could have lost.
“Really important we didn’t lose today…let’s make it officially 10 titles in the last 11 years next week or even in the next 2/3 weeks. It’s done.
Caught the eye
Presenter Jim White reckons Jota, Matt O’Riley and Calvin Bassey could be options being looked at by English Premier League sides.
Speaking on GoRadio, he said: “I think Jota would very much catch the eye. He has got an eye for a goal and a wee chance, and he usually takes the chance, and he did today as well.
“The guy who continually impresses me is Matt O’Riley. He came from totally left-field.
“There were a number of Championship and League One clubs interested in him, and O’Riley has gone north and looks absolutely well settled at Celtic Park and is a favourite among the Celtic supporters, and I can understand it.
“The good thing about Bassey (as well) is he can play in a number of positions in that Rangers team and never looks out of place. You have to think he is one of the first names on the team sheet for Gio van Bronckhorst in Europe.
“But Bassey, for sure. I mean he was everywhere today. The last line of defence when they needed him.”
Terry’s bucket list
John Terry attended today’s Old Firm clash and admitted that it’s one he could check off his bucket list.
The Premier League legend was spotted in the Parkhead stands before the clash sporting a Celtic scarf around his neck.
John Terry before the Old Firm match And he has spoken of his love for the Hoops in the past.
He said previously: “My brother and I decided that we would choose an English team and a Scottish team each.
“I chose Chelsea and Celtic and my brother went for Rangers which meant we had plenty of rivalry growing up.”
And Terry took to Instagram before the match to post a photo of himself with the caption “Bucket List weekend” and tagged Celtic in his post.
NAME GAME
Celtic took another social media approach for this week’s derby clash.
The Parkhead club referred to Rangers as ‘the opposition’ during the Scottish Cup semi-final tie at Hampden.
But they were back to being named as Rangers when Sakala found the net this afternoon.
One Twitter user replied asking: “Rangers today is it?”
One Celtic fan asked: “thought it was the opposition?”
While a Rangers supporter picked up on it: “Lovely goal from opposition fc”.
‘FINISH STRONG’
Ange Postecoglou has promised that Celtic will end the season on a high and wrap up the title in swift fashion.
He said: “I don’t know about unassailable but we are in a strong position.
“We have three games to go, two of them at home.
“We have been so strong at home all year, including today, we didn’t lose.
“From our perspective it gives us a great opportunity to take advantage of the position we are in.
“The thing with us, we don’t want to sort of just get there, we want to finish strong and we have three games to do that.”
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.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
