Celtic vs Rangers. Scottish Premiership.
Celtic ParkAttendance59,622.
Match report as Celtic beat Rangers 2-1 to move to verge of title; Matt O'Riley opened the scoring with John Lundstram's own goal doubling the lead; Cyriel Dessers replied before Lundstram was red carded; O'Riley then missed a penalty; Celtic are six points ahead with two games left
Saturday 11 May 2024 20:33, UK
Celtic all but wrapped up a third straight Scottish Premiership title with victory against 10-player Rangers in a frantic Old Firm clash.
With Brendan Rodgers' side three points ahead with just three games remaining, Rangers knew they had to win the final league meeting of the season to keep their hopes alive.
The Hoops dominated from kick-off and Matt O'Riley finally broke the deadlock in the 35th minute after they had spurned a number of chances.
John Lundstram turned the ball into his own net immediately after the restart and was then sent off for a dangerous challenge after Cyriel Dessers pulled the visitors back into the match before half-time.
Celtic were awarded a penalty after Mohamed Diomande caught Alistair Johnston in the box. O'Riley stepped up only to be denied by Jack Butland.
Rodgers' side, who now need just one point to confirm the title, should have been out of reach but in the end survived some late pressure to move six points and seven goals clear of their city rivals with just two games remaining. They have set themselves up to clinch the first silverware of Rodgers' second spell in charge at Kilmarnock on Wednesday, if Rangers do not drop points at home to Dundee 24 hours earlier.
The atmosphere was electric ahead of the game as the Celtic fans expected their team to all but seal the title, and only a brilliant save from Butland stopped them taking the lead almost from kick-off.
John Souttar turned James Forrest's ball towards his own net, but Butland reacted to somehow keep it out.
It was deafening as the Hoops dominated and Butland once again saved Rangers as he tipped Forrest's strike over the bar.
O'Riley's powerful free-kick then flew inches past the post before Fabio Silva had a huge chance for the visitors, but he sent his effort just wide of the far post.
It was back to Celtic, and this time Callum McGregor threatened, but the captain's low strike from outside the box went agonisingly wide.
Seconds later Silva passed up an unbelievable chance, somehow heading Dujon Sterling's cross wide from eight yards.
The frantic start showed no signs of fading as McGregor had a shot blocked before firing over the bar, then O'Riley flashed another effort just wide.
Butland again showed the form that has seen him tipped for an England return as he denied Kyogo Furuhashi from close range just after the half-hour mark.
What followed was five minutes of madness.
O'Riley fired in the opener from McGregor's perfect pass before Lundstram turned Daizen Maeda's ball into his own net to put the hosts two up.
But with the fans still celebrating that quick double, Dessers pulled Rangers back into it, heading past Joe Hart from close range.
With half-time approaching, Rangers were down to 10, Lundstram sent off for a dangerous challenge on Johnston after a VAR check.
Diomande clipped Johnston in the box just after the break and Celtic were handed the chance to wrap things up when a penalty was awarded following a lengthy VAR check.
But Butland again stood firm to deny O'Riley from the spot before he reacted again minutes later to keep out McGregor's strike from outside the box.
Maeda was well offside as he poked the ball into the net as the hosts continued to pile on the pressure.
Maeda had the ball in the net once more for the champions-elect but was again flagged offside before Rangers piled on some late pressure, but it was without reward with the Scottish Premiership trophy set to remain at Celtic Park for another season.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers on Sky Sports:
"It is very significant, we're nearly there now. A fantastic win for us.
"I thought up until the penalty we were very good. The start of the game, the energy, the football and the speed was outstanding.
"We get two goals in front and we switch off, we lose our concentration and they get back into the tie.
"We get going again second half. We miss the penalty and that takes a bit of energy out of our game then we have other chances we don't take and when it's 2-1 towards the end of the game of course there's a bit of tension.
"Celtic supporters all around the world understand Celtic vs Rangers is all about winning and the guys have won today and I'm really proud of them.
"It is there for us now. We have to go and win it. We can see the finish line we just have to get over it. The focus is on recovery and we got there on Wednesday and look to finish the job."
Rangers boss Philippe Clement on Sky Sports:
"It's extremely difficult, we're not naïve but it's about showing in these next two games and in the [Scottish] Cup final quality and reaction after the disappointment of losing here.
"We didn't take our chances well enough, we made wrong decisions and, in football, it's always about reacting.
"It's frustrating to go behind, you want to avoid that, but the red card kills off the plan of the second half.
"It's totally unnecessary to make a tackle there at that moment, but he'll [Lundstram] will be the first one to know and it's a split-second wrong decision. I don't forget all the things he's done well in the last couple of months."
Both Celtic and Rangers are live on Sky for their next Scottish Premiership matches.
Philippe Clement's side face Dundee at Dens Park on Tuesday night. Kick-off 7.30pm.
Celtic are away to Kilmarnock on Wednesday night. Kick-off 7.30pm.
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