It was all smiles for Rangers as they secured back-to-back residence victories towards their fierce native rivals
Steven Gerrard’s Rangers set down a marker forward of Celtic’s try and win their ninth straight title subsequent season as they sealed a dominant 2-Zero victory within the last Previous Agency conflict of the marketing campaign.
Neil Lennon’s facet arrived at Ibrox every week on from wrapping up their eighth title in a row however trudged away after permitting the Gentle Blues to sq. up this time period’s derby head-to-head at two wins apiece.
Captain James Tavernier swept residence a free-kick simply moments after kick-off to provide Gerrard’s males the proper begin.
The Parkhead triple treble chasers appeared like they’d their minds elsewhere and paid the value when Scott Arfield wrapped up the win halfway by means of the second half.
The victory – which cuts Celtic’s result in six factors – counts for little within the bigger scheme of issues however will renew perception among the many blue half of Glasgow that they will lastly halt their bitter rivals’ period of domination after the summer time.
Wes Foderingham lining up in aim was a reminder of the disciplinary issues which have plagued Gers this season.
Allan McGregor’s pink card towards Hibernian final week was the hosts’ 12th of the marketing campaign and Gerrard was as soon as once more pressured to reiterate to his gamers within the days main as much as the sport the significance of conserving referee Kevin Clancy onside.
The change in aim was Rangers solely alteration however Neil Lennon made three from the facet which clinched title quantity 50 at Pittodrie as he determined to take no probabilities on the health of Kieran Tierney and James Forrest forward of the Scottish Cup last.
With Timothy Weah now departed, that made area for Jonny Hayes, Oliver Burke and Michael Johnston.
As anticipated, there was no guard of honour from Gerrard’s workforce for the champions – however there have been delirious celebrations from the house help as Rangers struck inside two minutes.
Tavernier was handed a free-kick opening after Ryan Kent was tripped by Johnston on the sting of Celtic’s field. The Ibrox captain was trying to pick a colleague however when a contact failed to come back, Scott Bain was caught flat-footed watched with anguish because the ball flew in at his again publish.
Ibrox erupted in pleasure and the fevered ambiance solely inspired Rangers to run faster and press tougher.
Jermain Defoe, nevertheless, was lucky to not be booked when he went down with a flamboyant tumble as he and Kristoffer Ajer chased an Arfield knock-down.
It took Celtic 18 minutes to catch their breath however Burke may solely fireplace over as a messy contest continued to frustrate Lennon on the touchline.
The Hoops established a foothold because the match ticked in direction of the break but it surely was an out-of-sorts show from the champions. Ajer and Jozo Simunovic took their time getting play going, Scott Brown was left griping to Clancy as Arfield bit at his ankles whereas Callum McGregor wasted an excellent free-kick likelihood by knocking it out of the park.
Jon Flanagan was the first player to have his name taken after barging Brown over before a corner delivery. Given Gerrard’s earlier warning on discipline it was a hugely unnecessary risk to take.
Lennon looked far happier with his side’s approach following the restart as Gers were made to sit back.
But Gerrard’s team responded by upping their tempo and struck again on 65 minutes.
Glen Kamara took Brown out of the game with sublime drop of the shoulder then marched on. Defoe dummied his pass and the Hoops defence were caught cold as Arfield raced past the statuesque Ajer to prod home the second.
Once more Ibrox erupted as a few dozen jubilant Rangers followers spilled on to the pitch to rejoice with the goalscorer, who was booked as punishment.
Quantity three ought to have arrived on 77 minutes as Kent launched Defoe. Bain stood as much as block his first try then watched with aid as he lobbed the rebound towards the bar.
Odsonne Edouard skipped previous Nikola Katic with seven minutes left however there was no lifeline for the Hoops as Burke’s end was simply stopped by Foderingham.
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