In an Old Firm derby that was almost certain to decide the Scottish Premiership title race, the drama did not disappoint at Celtic Park as Brendan Rodgers savoured a pivotal 2-1 victory over rivals Rangers. (More Football News)
♌Rodgers’ side began Saturday three points ahead of their rivals with three games to go, and they are now six clear with two to play, meaning a 12th title in 13 years is all but secured.
Rangers battled ha🌼rd but ultimately left themselves with too much to do.
John Lundstram was at the heart of the drama towards the end of the first half, doubling Celtic’s 🦩lead with an own goal shortly before he was sent off afteꦦr a VAR review.
Rangers have scored in 33 of their 36 games, more often than any other team this se☂ason, and Cyril Dessers was on target to get one back, Matt O'Riley having earlier put the hosts ahead.
However✃, Rangers only attempted eight shots in the game, their lowest total in a 𝕴single Premiership match this season.
Philippe Clement felt like his side were always in the contest despite going down to 10 men, but he was disappointed with the rash de꧃cision from Lundstram to make an ill-advised challenge on Alistair Johnston.
The Belgian told Sky Sports: "We didn’🐬t start well enough – we were not good enough and giving away too many shots.
"We started to play after 2-0 and then we did good things, a few good crosses, but then of course taking a red💎 card makes things ten times more complicated for us.
"ℱAfter the red card my team kept on fighting, but the red card kills off our plan for the sec🅺ond half.
"It is totally unnecessary to 𝓡make the tackle. It is a split-second wrong decision, but I do not forget all the things he [Lundstram] did well in the last couple of months.
"The team need to show the mentality they show☂ed for the last 70 minutes because the first 20 was n🍌ot good enough. They need to show it for 90.
"In the next two games and the Scottish Cup final it is important to show🌜 a reaction."
Rodgers' side will travel to Kilmarnock for their penultimate league match of the season o💯n Wednesday, now only needing one point to secure the title with a match to spare.
Reflecting on a vital win that came despite O'Riley having a second-half penalty saved by Jack Butland,🙈 the Celtic boss said: "It is very significant, we are nearly there!
"Three points and another goal to the goal difference [advantage], so it’s a fantastic win. Right up until the penalty we were very good, the energy and the speed was outstanding. It was a brilliant da🔯y.
"Celtic supporters all around the world in bars and🌳 houses, they understand Celtic-Rangers is all about winning.&n𓆏bsp;
"The guys showed a great mentality and it’s three victories against Rangers in four🔴 games now.
"The crispnඣess and quality of football was very good. They showed great courage. It’s there for us now, we’ve got to go on and win it."
Celtic have avoided defeat in all four Old Firm derbiꦜes in the Sc𓄧ottish Premiership this season (W3 D1), doing so for the first time since 2017-18.
The teams will still meet again this season, with the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park scheduled fo🎶r May 25.
