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    Celtic v Rangers LIVE REACTION: Tavernier pulls one back for ten-man Gers but Hoops extend lead to EIGHT points

    RANGERS pulled a goal back to set up a frantic finale at Celtic Park but the nervy Hoops held out to seal a crucial victory in the title race.Portuguese midfielder Paulo Bernardo made the first telling contribution in the 25th minute when he rifled home after Rangers failed to clear properly from a corner.
    The Hoops survived a strong penalty appeal before half-time then Kyogo struck two minutes after the restart with an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
    Leon Balogun was then red-carded for hauling down Daizen Maeda as he was clean through on goal.
    It seemed like Celtic would easily run down the clock but James Tavernier struck a sensational free-kick two minutes from time to set up a dramatic final few minutes.
    See how the match unfolded below… More

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    Moment female steward at Celtic v Rangers clash left distraught after being injured in Green Brigade celebration crush

    A FEMALE steward was left in distress after celebrating Celtic fans caused a digital advertising hoarding to collapse. There were wild scenes in the corner of the ground populated by the Green Brigade when Paulo Bernardo swept in the Hoops’ opener against Rangers after 25 minutes.
    A steward appears to be injured shortly after Celtic open the scoringCredit: Kenny Ramsay
    A female steward appears to be injured shortly after Celtic open the scoringCredit: Kenny Ramsay
    Fans flooded onto the corner of the pitch to celebrateCredit: Kenny Ramsay
    Paulo Bernardo also ended up crushed
    Fans piled into the area
    Fans flooded down towards the pitch as the Portuguese star ran off to celebrate.
    He slid on the ground on his knees – before eventually joining fans in a bear hug – as he earned a booking for the trouble.
    But the female steward appeared to bear the brunt of it all, with images showing her clearly in distress.
    The Hoops ultras ground have been back in the stadium for the last two matches, after signing up to a new code of conduct.

    Celtic and Police Scotland have been asked for comment.
    Earlier, thousands of Rangers supporters gathered on Edmiston Drive to give the players and staff a red-hot send off amidst clouds of smoke, echoes of fireworks and snow blizzards.
    The footage shows the Ibrox faithful gathered around it and chanted loudly, with drums heard and a large amount of pyro set off.
    Several supporters also banged on the side of the bus in a show of encouragement.
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    Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More

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    Inside the Rangers team bus as incredible footage shows coach surrounded by pyro-wielding ultras ahead of Celtic clash

    THIS is the incredible moment showing the Rangers team bus as it tried to leave Ibrox for Celtic Park whilst surrounded by fervent fans setting off pyro.Thousands of supporters gathered on Edmiston Drive to give the players and staff a red-hot send off amidst clouds of smoke, echoes of fireworks and snow blizzards.
    Fans surrounded the coach as it departed Ibrox this morning
    Supporters chanted, let off flares and banged on the side of the bus
    Rangers head to Glasgow’s east end today to take on Celtic hoping to cut the gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership table to just two points.
    It would put the Light Blues in prime position to leapfrog the Hoops come the New Year, given they have two games in hand on their city rivals.
    And as the coach carrying the squad and the coaching staff set off from Govan, one of the backroom team on the bus captured it all on video.
    The footage shows the Ibrox faithful gathered around it and chanted loudly, with drums heard and a large amount of pyro set off.

    Several supporters also banged on the side of the bus in a show of encouragement.
    Philippe Clement’s men will run out onto the field at Celtic Park in front of 60,000 Hoops fans later this afternoon.
    With no away fans present due to the ongoing Old Firm lockout, Gers faithful sought to give their team a passionate send off before the match.
    The Union Bears planned a march to Ibrox as a way of showing support given that they couldn’t be at the game in person.
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    In the hours hours of this morning, the same fans trolled their Glasgow rivals with a cheeky act of vandalism on an overhead motorway crossing just outside of the city.
    The group poured red, white and blue paint on the railway bridge over the M8 at Bargeddie.
    Meanwhile heavy snow has fallen at Celtic Park, leaving the pitch covered in white ahead of kick-off,
    The weather took a turn at around 10am this morning and more snow is forecast in the Dalmarnock area until around 1pm this afternoon (around half an hour into the match).
    Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More

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    Rangers target’s dad is legendary MMA fighter who accosted THREE burglars by himself after punching through car window

    RANGERS target Million Manhoef is the son of a three-time MMA world champion. The Ibrox men are fighting for the signature of the £2.5m-rated Vitesse Arnhem winger. 
    Melvin Manhoef pictured in 2015Credit: Getty
    He stopped three burglars after punching through their car windows in 2022
    Rangers are chasing his son Million (right)Credit: Alamy
    Manhoef is one of the hottest prospects in Dutch football and Gers boss Philippe Clement is keen to snare him next month.
    The 21-year-old comes from famous athletic stock with his father regarded as a fighting icon in Holland. 
    Melvin Manhoef was a feared mixed martial arts and kickboxing legend with one of the best knockout records in history before his retirement last year. 
    Nicknamed ‘No Mercy’ the Suriname-born cage fighter extinguished 29 of his opponents in 32 MMA victories. 

    Manhoef made his debut at the age of 19 and the stoppage-machine only hung up his gloves when he was 45. 
    However, he is arguably next known in the Netherlands for performing a citizen’s arrest on burglars who were casing his home in Amsterdam. 
    Manhoef snr made headlines outside the cage in March 2022 when he chased down three criminals. 
    The 47-year-old ran them off the road before punching through their window and holding them until police arrived. 
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    At the time he said: “I got out of the car shouting, going crazy saying ‘my family’ and this and that, and I went over to their car and threw one punch through the window, cutting my hand.
    “I got the guys, I was shouting and pulled them out. I didn’t hit them, but I had to say it, I was going through  my mind. I would do it again for my family.”
    Manhoef is revered in combat sports for his longevity and is also the first man to  knock out UFC legend Mark Hunt.

    Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More

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    Celtic vs Rangers: Back our 16/1 Bet Builder tip, plus get £40 in free bets with Paddy Power

    CELTIC and Rangers round off 2023 with another Scottish football spectacle as the Old Firm takes centre stage on Saturday.It’s a colossal game for both clubs for a number of reasons, so SunSport have teamed up with our partners at Paddy Power to select our top Bet Builder picks for the top encounter, which they’ve boosted to a whopping 16/1!
    Back our 16/1 Celtic vs Rangers Bet Builder tip, plus get £40 in free bets
    We’ve gone for: Both teams to score, Sima 1+ shot on target & McGregor and Cantwell to be carded.
    The normal price for these selections comes in at 14/1 – though Paddy Power have boosted the odds to 16/1!
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    Here’s why we’ve made those selections:

    Both teams to score: There’s attacking quality in both sides – and defensive errors too. The Celtic defence and Joe Hart have all faced criticism at some point this season and, domestically, it’ll be their toughest assignment. But they should score.
    Sima 1+ shot on target: Has 17 shots on target in the Premiership to date and is Gers’ best attacking option, given the weakness in the centre forward area. Can capitalise on Alistair Johnston pushing forward and could have a big part to play.
    Callum McGregor to be carded: Celtic skipper not shy in the tackle and will be right up for this one. Booked eight times in 35 Old Firms.
    Todd Cantwell to be carded: Enjoys being the one to play up to Rangers support and could do so again despite no away fans in attendance. More yellow cards than goals in the league (1 vs 3) and likely to be a target for some rough treatment from Celtic midfield.

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    Paddy Power: Claim YOUR £40 in free Bet Builder bets*

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    Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
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    *New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on Football on odds of min 2.0 (EVS), get £40 in Free Bet Builders after the qualifying bet has been settled. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via cards will qualify (Apple Pay excluded). T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly. More

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    Second SPFL Premiership match called OFF following Rangers v Ross County postponement

    A SECOND Premiership clash has been called off as snowfall caused by Storm Gerrit sparks chaos on the roads.We told you earlier in the day how Rangers’ Ibrox clash with Ross County fell victim to the weather with the Staggies’ team bus caught up in snowy gridlock on the A9.
    The clash at Pittodrie has fallen victim to the weatherCredit: Kenny Ramsay
    The postponement came only an hour after Well advised fans to take the A92
    And now Motherwell’s visit to Aberdeen has been called off – even though hundreds of ‘Well fans have already embarked on the journey to the North East for the match.
    SunSport understands that the Lanarkshire side ARE already in the Granite City.
    And the postponement came only an hour after Well advised fans to take the A92, due to closures on the A9.
    But with closures now in place on both the A9 AND the A92, and many Motherwell fans locked in gridlock, the match has now been postponed.

    Earlier in the day, Dons chief Alan Burrows had made hopeful noises about the match taking place.
    He wrote: “Pitch / Stadium update: – At the moment, the wind and rain is battering the North East.
    “Another 20mm of rain due to fall on Pittodrie between now and KO and wind currently gusting around about 60/65mph.
    “Despite that, at the moment, the stadium is holding up fairly well. Not too much damage so far, other than some signage.
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    “Pitch is wet, but is draining pretty satisfactorily at this stage.
    “We have our ground staff, when they aren’t blowing about the place, on standby should any quick remedial work be required (when the wind eventually eases).
    “Better news is that the worst of the weather is between now and 3.30pm, before it calms down quite a fair bit.
    “As we stand now, with the forecast as it is, things are good to go. If anything changes for the worst, we’ll update in as much time as possible…”
    It’s the second postponement in a matter of days for the Dons, who saw their clash with Dundee called off less than an hour before kick-off at the weekend.
    Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More

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    Rangers v Ross County game OFF with Staggies team bus stranded and unable to get to Ibrox due to Storm Gerrit chaos

    RANGERS’ clash against Ross County tonight has been called OFF after the Highlanders’ team bus was caught up in the chaos on the country’s roads. Parts of the A9 – the only real artery from the Highlands to the Central Belt – are either closed or at a standstill today.
    A general view of Ibrox StadiumCredit: Getty
    An image of the A9 from Drumochter this morning
    And with the County team bus still in Inverness at lunchtime, the match has now been postponed following consultation with Police Scotland.
    A Rangers statement read: “Rangers can confirm this evening’s Scottish Premiership fixture with Ross County has been postponed.
    “Despite the Ibrox playing surface being in good condition and ready to host the match, adverse weather conditions on the A9 means our visitors have been unable to reach Glasgow.”
    County said in a statement: “Following consultation with Police Scotland regarding today’s weather conditions on the A9, this evening’s match against Rangers has been postponed.”

    Fans of both teams based in the North of Scotland would also have struggled to have made it for the clash, with police warning people not to travel.
    It’s understood Ross County would only normally have chosen to travel overnight for a daytime match.

    The postponement means that Celtic will be top of the Premiership at the turn of the year regardless of the result on Saturday’s Old Firm clash vs Celtic.
    That’s not ideal for the Gers – but it also gives the Ibrox men essentially a week clear to prepare for the game, while the Hoops had to come through their 3-0 win against Dundee at Dens Park on Boxing Day.
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    Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More

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    SPFL Premiership manager to be MIC’D UP during live TV match as viewers get to hear his instructions to players

    ONE of the constant criticisms from football fans in Scotland is that broadcasters aren’t innovative enough with their coverage. But Sky Sports have teamed up with Hibs as they deliver a few MAJOR changes in their coverage of this week’s Edinburgh derby.
    Sky Sports are set to announce some major innovationsCredit: Getty
    Nick Montgomery will be mic’d up for the matchCredit: Kenny Ramsay
    The Jambos visit Easter Road on Wednesday 27 with Hibs boss Nick Montgomery set to wear a microphone during the match, enabling fans watching at home to hear his coaching from the sidelines.
    He will also speak to the commentary team as the game goes on – with assistant boss Sergio Raimundo wearing a bodycam to give a first-person perspective of the team from the dugout.
    There will also be cameras in the Hibs dressing room pre-match, at half-time, and at full-time.
    A Sky statement read: “Supporters will also notice a difference with the matchday interviews with Nick Montgomery being interviewed in his office and a Hibs player during his match preparation inside the dressing room.

    “At full-time there will also be on-pitch interviews.
    “The broadcast aims to capture the passion, drama and key moments of the derby, and follows Sky Sports’ EFL ‘Innovation Game’ last season, which included new behind- the-scenes access for the broadcast of the Wycombe vs Portsmouth match in League One.
    “Hearts have also agreed to a number of activations with Sky Sports for this fixture.
    “Coverage starts on Sky Sports Football at 7pm on Wednesday 27 December, 2023.”
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    Gary Hughes, Director of Football Sky Sports said: “We strive to be at the forefront of innovation and continue to explore new ways we can allow fans to get closer to the action with our coverage. We are so pleased to have been able to work alongside Hibs, Hearts and the SPFL, with a joint ambition to tell the story of this hugely competitive derby to our audience in a new and exciting way.”
    SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “We’re really pleased to have been able to work with both clubs and Sky Sports to showcase their latest broadcasting innovations, helping put supporters right at the heart of the action in the Edinburgh Derby.
    “It promises to be a cracking game and we’re excited to see how the technology brings the match experience even closer for viewing fans.”
    Hibs head of communications Adam Tomlinson said: “It’s been magnificent to work with Sky Sports over the last few months as we aim to give supporters an extra insight into a Hibernian FC matchday and our coaching staff.
    “As a club we pride ourselves on being pioneers in the Scottish game and we will reaffirm that through a number of broadcasting innovations on the 27th.”
    Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More