Rangers midfielder John Lundstram scored an own goal and was sent off as Celtic took a massive step towards retaining the cinch Premiership title with a 2-1 victory in a Parkhead thriller.
Celtic moved six points and seven goals clear of their city rivals with two matches left and set themselves up to clinch the first silverware of Brendan Rodgers’ second spell in charge at Kilmarnock on Wednesday, if Rangers do not drop points at home to Dundee 24 hours earlier. A flurry of activity in the final 10 minutes of the first half saw Matt O’Riley and Lundstram put Celtic two up, Cyriel Dessers pull a goal back, and the Gers midfielder receive a red card for a foul on Alistair Johnston. Rangers had struggled to get a grip on O’Riley and Callum McGregor in midfield although they created several chances of their own in an action-packed opening period. O’Riley missed a penalty as Celtic struggled to finish off the game against 10 men but the final whistle sparked a party.
We give each starter a mark out of ten for their performance at Celtic Park.
13. Matt O'Riley
The best player on the pitch for Celtic in the first half, he threatened with two strikes before finally breaking the deadlock on 35 minutes. Was too casual with his penalty early in the second half that would have given the team some much-needed breathing space, but kept prompting and probing until the end. 8 Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
14. John Lundstram
This was a disastrous afternoon for the Rangers midfielder. Already struggling to keep tabs on his Celtic counterparts, he poked the ball past his own goalkeeper on 39 minutes to put Celtic 2-0 up and then just minutes later was sent off, via a VAR review, for a high sliding tackle on Alistair Johnston. 2 Photo: Andrew Milligan
15. Mohamed Diomande
The Ivorian has impressed since joining Rangers in January but found the going tough, showing a bit of naivety in the midfield battle. Gave away a penalty for a careless trip on Matt O'Riley and understandably came out second best once John Lundstram was sent off. 5 Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
16. Tom Lawrence
The Welsh midfielder got the nod over Todd Cantwell but was unable to have any kind of meaningful influence on the match. Rangers needed more defensive protection after John Lundstram's red card and he was taken off for Nicolas Raskin on 60 minutes. 4 Photo: Jane Barlow