🍀 Celtic defeat 10-man Rangers to move to within a point of the title | OneFootball

Celtic defeated 10-man Rangers in a typically chaotic Old Firm derby at Parkhead as they moved to within one point of their 54th Scottish Premiership title.

Scorers: O’Riley 35′, Lundstram (OG) 38′; Dessers 40′

Celtic are on the verge of a third Scottish Premiership title in a row, and a 12th in 13 seasons, after defeating Rangers 2-1 to move six points clear at the top of the table with two games to play.

The Hoops, who largely dominated throughout, almost got off to the dream start inside a minute like they did at Ibrox earlier in the season.

James Forrest got down the right and squeezed a dangerous ball across the box, which Jack Butland did very well to stop after it hit off John Souttar.

The Gers responded with several chances of their own. Dujon Sterling perhaps should have done better when he rushed into the box to meet Fabio Silva’s cross before the Portuguese forward missed two golden opportunities of his own.

Butland again came to Rangers’ rescue just after the half-hour, saving brilliantly from Kyogo’s shot near the penalty spot.

The game got the goals it deserved with three in the space of five minutes before the break.

First, Matt O’Riley drilled home from the edge of the box after a neat ball inside from Callum McGregor before John Lundstram turned the ball into his own net from a Daizen Maeda cutback to double the home side’s lead.

Rangers needed a response and got one almost instantly, Cyriel Dessers nodding in after Silva’s cross was not dealt with by the Celtic defence.

Lundstram’s afternoon went from bad to worse when he was sent off in stoppage time after catching Alistair Johnston on the ankle. At first, he was yellow carded but it was upgraded to red after a VAR check.

Unsurprisingly, the second half saw Celtic control possession and have nearly all of the chances.

In the 54th minute, Matt O’Riley was fouled by Mohamed Diomande inside the box but saw his tame spot kick saved by Butland.

The former England keeper continued to be the away side’s saviour, keeping them in the contest as they struggled to make any chances.

Celtic did have the ball in the net on the hour but Daizen Maeda was offside when he slammed the ball into the net, as he was in added time at the end of the game.

Substitute Adam Idah also missed two great opportunities to put the game to bed but Rangers could not find an equaliser as their title hopes evaporated at the home of their greatest rivals.