In a frenzied game, Celtic moved a significant step closer to clinching the Scottish Premiership title. The Hoops bested a ten-man Rangers side 2-1 at Celtic Park, pushing their lead to six points with just two games left in the season.
The intense encounter saw three goals, a red card and a denied penalty all within 12 pulse-raising minutes. Matt O'Riley started things off, drilling a powerful strike into the net to put Celtic in the lead. The goal had been coming, as Celtic's midfield were repeatedly finding space just outside Rangers' box. The lead was soon doubled, as Daizen Maeda continued to induce panic among the Rangers backline. Under continued pressure, a cross from Maeda ended up being diverted by John Lundstram into his own net. Rangers, however, didn't collapse as it looked like they might. Cyriel Dessers, exploiting what may be becoming a frequent vulnerability, reduced the deficit before half-time through a header.
Just before the interval, Lundstram's day went from bad to worse as he was sent off for a blatantly dangerous high-speed sliding tackle on Alistair Johnston, which connected with his leg and nowhere near the ball.
Nine minutes after the break, Celtic were awarded a penalty for a trip by Mohamed Diomande. Despite scoring in audacious fashion against Rangers in the prior game, O'Riley's penalty was audacios. But in today's, the effort was limp, to say the least, and easily saved by Butland.
Despite being a man down in the second half, Rangers managed to stem the tide and hold off Celtic from increasing their advantage, but on another day, this game could have turned into a rout for Celtic. In addition to the missed penalty, two offside goals from Maeda were ruled out, along with a bucketload of half-chances. Many Rangers fans will be glad just to get out with the scoreline respectable.
This victory marks Celtic's dominance over Rangers in this season's derbies. This is the first time since the 2017-18 season that Celtic have avoided defeat in all four leagueclashes. As for the Rangers, discipline has been a notable concern for them this season, with Lundstram's dismissal earnings them an undesirable record of the most player sent off in the Premiership – five in total.
With only two games remaining, the title is within touching distance for Brendan Rodgers' side. A single point in the upcoming matches will confirm their supremacy, giving Celtic their third title in a row, and twelfth in thirteen years.
