Celtic struck a blow in the Scottish Premier League title race with a 2-0 win at Rangers.
Two goals from Greek forward Georgios Samaras gave Celtic the three points, and means they have a four point lead at the top of the table. Rangers have played two less games than Celtic but will now be under more pressure to win them.
Emotions were high before kickoff, when tribute was paid on the 40th anniversary of the Ibrox disaster, where 66 people were killed at an Old Firm game.
Rangers started well and Lee McCulloch went close to giving the home side the lead when his header was deflected onto the crossbar. McCulloch was also involved at the other end, when he produced a fine tackle to deny Samaras.
Despite high work rate and energy, neither team could find a final ball as the first half remained goalless. Celtic had a chance in the first minute of the second half, Samaras flicked on to Paddy McCourt who fired wide of the goal post.
Celtic did take the lead in the 62nd minute when Samaras scored a goal in direct fashion. Joe Ledley played a long ball over the top, and the Greek striker rounded Allan McGregor to roll into an empty net.
Celtic doubled the lead from the penalty spot eight minutes later. Samaras raced clear and was brought down by Madjid Bougherra. The former Manchester City striker got up to blast home the penalty and spark manic celebrations among the visiting fans.
Rangers were spurred into life and went close when Sasa Papac flashed a shot wide of the goal. Bougherra then tried to amend his earlier error but fired a shot high over the bar.
In the end Rangers could not find a way back into the game, and Celtic held on for a crucial 2-0 win.
SCORING SUMMARY
CEL – Georgios Samaras (Joe Ledley) 62’
CEL – Georgios Samaras (PK) 70’
LINEUPS
RAN – McGregor, Weir, Papac, Foster (Lafferty 68), Whittaker, Bougherra, McCulloch, Davis, Weiss, Ness (Hutton 84), Miller.
CEL – Forster, Izaguirre, Majstorovic, Wilson, Mulgrew, Rogne, Ledley, McCourt, Baram Kayal, Samaras, Forrest (McGinn 88).
Emotions were high before kickoff, when tribute was paid on the 40th anniversary of the Ibrox disaster, where 66 people were killed at an Old Firm game.
Rangers started well and Lee McCulloch went close to giving the home side the lead when his header was deflected onto the crossbar. McCulloch was also involved at the other end, when he produced a fine tackle to deny Samaras.
Despite high work rate and energy, neither team could find a final ball as the first half remained goalless. Celtic had a chance in the first minute of the second half, Samaras flicked on to Paddy McCourt who fired wide of the goal post.
Celtic did take the lead in the 62nd minute when Samaras scored a goal in direct fashion. Joe Ledley played a long ball over the top, and the Greek striker rounded Allan McGregor to roll into an empty net.
Celtic doubled the lead from the penalty spot eight minutes later. Samaras raced clear and was brought down by Madjid Bougherra. The former Manchester City striker got up to blast home the penalty and spark manic celebrations among the visiting fans.
Rangers were spurred into life and went close when Sasa Papac flashed a shot wide of the goal. Bougherra then tried to amend his earlier error but fired a shot high over the bar.
In the end Rangers could not find a way back into the game, and Celtic held on for a crucial 2-0 win.
SCORING SUMMARY
CEL – Georgios Samaras (Joe Ledley) 62’
CEL – Georgios Samaras (PK) 70’
LINEUPS
RAN – McGregor, Weir, Papac, Foster (Lafferty 68), Whittaker, Bougherra, McCulloch, Davis, Weiss, Ness (Hutton 84), Miller.
CEL – Forster, Izaguirre, Majstorovic, Wilson, Mulgrew, Rogne, Ledley, McCourt, Baram Kayal, Samaras, Forrest (McGinn 88).
