Celtic took a huge step towards another Scottish Premiership title by seeing off Rangers in a thrilling Old Firm derby on Saturday. Matt O’Riley opened the scoring for the hosts at Parkhead with a brilliant low first-half strike, before the lead was quickly doubled after an unfortunate own goal from John Lundstram.
Cyriel Dessers’ close-range header mere seconds later halved the deficit for Rangers, who lost Lundstram on the stroke of half-time when his yellow card for a wild sliding challenge on Alistair Johnston was upgraded to red by referee Willie Collum after the VAR had sent him to consult the pitchside monitor.
Rangers managed to hold out for the entire second half despite their numerical disadvantage, playing their part in a grandstand finish after Jack Butland had saved O’Riley’s poor penalty and Celtic missed a host of chances as well as Daizen Maeda seeing two goals ruled out for offside. However, Celtic ultimately still prevailed to go six points clear of their fierce rivals with only two games left to play this season.
Celtic vs Rangers highlights
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Celtic 2-1 Rangers | 79 mins
Tavernier’s corner is eventually cleared at the front post, with a follow-up ball not finding any blue shirts.
Dare I say Celtic are starting to look nervous at the back here?
This game is far from over as we head into the final 10 minutes...
Celtic 2-1 Rangers | 76 mins
A Celtic attack breaks down and Wright tears forward on the counter for Rangers, who have a corner after some committed tracking back and defending from McGregor.
Yilmaz’s ball to the back post is then punched away by Hart, who concedes another corner.
A delay in Tavernier taking as he has to deal with objects thrown in his direction from the stands.
Celtic 2-1 Rangers | 74 mins
Rangers were apparently going to replace Dessers with Scott Wright, but they’ve changed their mind and now Silva makes way.
Carter-Vickers looks to connect with a Celtic corner to the back post, but Rangers wind up with a pressure-relieving free-kick.
The noise levels have gone back up at Celtic Park as the fans try to will their team over the line to all but guarantee another Scottish Premiership title - their third in a row and 54th overall.
Celtic 2-1 Rangers | 73 mins
German winger Kuhn is straight into the action, cutting inside from the right flank and weaving his way across the box before his strike is deflected over by Davies.
Johnston is down for Celtic and in need of treatment.
He gingerly makes his way off, replaced by Ralston.
A tough game for Johnston up against Silva.
Celtic 2-1 Rangers | 71 mins
Inside the final 20 minutes at Celtic Park and Brendan Rodgers looks to his bench for the first time this afternoon.
Idah and Kuhn replace Forrest and Kyogo.
Fresh legs no doubt intended to stretch this tired and undermanned Rangers backline.
Celtic 2-1 Rangers | 69 mins
Some brighter signs for Rangers now as McCausland threatens in the box and Silva fires over.
McGregor brings down Raskin and has his name taken.
Celtic 2-1 Rangers | 67 mins
Easier said than done with 10 men against a side of Celtic’s quality, but Rangers have to find an out ball here.
They are soaking up so much pressure and giving the ball back straightaway with virtually every clearance or rushed pass.
Celtic 2-1 Rangers | 65 mins
Celtic are getting the ball wide at will and peppering the Rangers box with dangerous crosses, but they can’t find the necessary finish.
A crucial block in there from Sterling.
Celtic 2-1 Rangers | 60 mins
Barisic and Lawrence made way for Yilmaz and Raskin.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, penalties, offside goals and sheer pressure applied, Rangers have still yet to concede in this second half.
They are still in the game, just...
Celtic 2-1 Rangers | 58 mins
GOOA... NO!
Raskin and Yilmaz will be on for Rangers soon.
McGregor’s low strike is held by Butland before another finds its way into the path of Maeda, who fires home inside the box.
But the offside flag is rightly up. Still 2-1.
