MY ACCOUNT
Celtic took a big stride towards regaining the Scottish Premiership title as Cameron Carter-Vickers’ strike secured a 2-1 Old Firm derby win over Rangers at Ibrox.
Aaron Ramsey gave the Gers a dream start by opening the scoring just three minutes in, but Tomas Rogic equalised only four minutes later to silence the vast majority of a raucous capacity crowd on Sunday.
After weathering an early storm, Celtic were the better side and Carter-Vickers put them in front late in the first half.
Rangers were unable to respond in a second half that was delayed due to broken glass being thrown onto the pitch as Celtic moved six points clear of their fierce Glasgow rivals, with Ange Postecoglou’s side also having a superior goal difference with six games to play.
Defending champions Rangers were rewarded for making a blistering start when Calvin Bassey sent Ryan Kent racing clear down the left and the winger’s cross was swept in by the onrushing Ramsey.
Celtic briefly looked like they did not know what had hit them, but they were quickly level, Rogic turning in from close range after Allan McGregor palmed Reo Hatate’s shot into his path following a brilliant run from Callum McGregor.
The Hoops thought Daizen Maeda had been upended by McGregor in the box late in the first half, but Carter-Vickers deservedly drilled them into the lead with his left foot as the Gers failed to deal with a free-kick from the left.
Joe Hart returned after the break to discover broken bottles in his penalty area, but Celtic looked untroubled once the game restarted after a delay of only a few minutes for a clean-up operation.
Hart did produce a fine save from Fashion Sakala and a superb reflex stop from McGregor prevented Liel Abada from extending Celtic’s lead, but goals from Rogic and Carter-Vickers were enough to secure three precious points for the visitors.
