Rangers 1-0 Celtic: Nir Bitton sees red as Callum McGregor at own goal sends hosts 19 points clear on top | Football news

The Rangers moved 19 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership when an own goal by Callum McGregor resolved Old Firm’s second game of the season following the expulsion of Nir Bitton.

The Rangers weren’t at their best at Ibrox, but they remain relentless in their quest for the title, with the game igniting referee Bobby Madden’s decision to send Bitton off for a professional foul after 62 minutes while fighting Alfredo Morelos.

By then, Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor had produced several saves to ensure the hosts remained on the same level as their fierce rivals, but eight minutes later, Steven Gerrard’s men took the lead as the unfortunate McGregor deflected James Tavernier’s corner. to your own network.

They wouldn’t be late-night drama, as the Rangers moved 19 points ahead at the top of the Scottish Premiership, although second-ranked Celtic still have three games in hand.

The balance of power shifting in Scotland

It’s the first time the Rangers have been undefeated in their first 22 top flight games since the 1967/68 season, when Steven Gerrard became Ibrox’s first coach since Walter Smith to win three straight games against his rivals.

Neil Lennon told Sky Sports before kickoff that defender Christopher Jullien would be out for “three or four months” with a knee injury sustained in the win over Dundee United on Wednesday.

Then, after a moving tribute to mark the 50th anniversary of the Ibrox disaster, the visitors got off to a stronger start.

Sky Sports co-commentator Andy Walker described Lennon’s selection as a “team designed to win,” and Odsonne Edouard had his first sight of goal in three minutes when he ran to Callum McGregor’s pass and caught a good save from Allan. McGregor.

Three minutes later, a poor header from Leon Balogun was intercepted by David Turnbull, whose center was swept into the goal by Leigh Griffiths and McGregor was back in action, flipping the upward shot.

Celtic had won five of their previous seven visits to Ibrox, and the defending champions continued to ask more questions as McGregor watched as his shot whizzed past the post. The Rangers struggled to prevail against the high energy of Lennon’s men, and Alfredo Morelos could not connect with the low center of Joe Aribo.

When the teams met in October, Celtic didn’t register a shot on goal, but they were making up for it here when Griffiths saw another accurate shot that McGregor threw spectacularly off the post. The only disappointment for Lennon in the first half hour was that his team hadn’t capitalized on their dominance when Turnbull slipped Griffiths again, but Connor Goldson did enough to advance his wayward shot.

The Rangers, who had won each of their previous 13 league games, were mediocre and sloppy in possession as they failed to test Vasilis Barkas in the first half. Celtic recorded 11 attempts in the first 45 minutes alone, more than any opponent the Rangers faced during the 90 minutes in any previous league game this season, with Nir Bitton’s header deflected just before interval.

There were many reasons for concern for Gerrard, whose team had missed a single shot on goal, and the Rangers boss turned to his bench on the restart when Ianis Hagi replaced the ineffective Kemar Roofe.

Hagi underscored his capabilities in five minutes when he picked up a pass from James Tavernier, cut inside Ismaila Soro and fired wide from Barkas’ right post. The hosts’ marginal improvement continued as Kristoffer Ajer closed the door on Morelos with a last-minute challenge.

But a sixth red card in Old Firm’s past seven derbies swung the pendulum in Rangers’ favor when Bitton was caught on the wrong side of Morelos by a measured pass from Tavernier, with Bobby Madden undoubtedly the makeshift center-back being the last line. defense. before he knocked the Colombian to the ground.

The Rangers almost took full advantage of the resulting set piece, as Goldson and Hagi were unable to convert Tavernier’s delivery. Lennon brought in Shane Duffy, who was in the right place to deflect Borna Barisic’s inches wide, but the Rangers took the lead from the corner that followed.

Tavernier’s pitch at the front post was triggered by Aribo and McGregor inadvertently headed past the stranded Barkas from close range.

The sending-off had transformed the game, as Celtic sought to break through the Rangers’ defense for the sixth time this season, and Mohamed Elyounoussi’s shot from range of the substitute failed to upset McGregor.

With the prospect of falling further behind their fierce rivals in the pursuit of a 10th Scottish Premiership title, Celtic began to look raggedy when Duffy’s hapless panic clearance nearly presented another opportunity for Ryan Kent before replacement Cedric Itten. I saw a good effort skim the ribbon. .

But there was no late turn that spells a 14th straight league win for the Rangers, who now sit in a formidable position with Lennon’s hopes that his team will score an unprecedented 10 titles in a row hanging by a thread. Celtic is now heading to Dubai to train in hot weather, but the sun may have set on their quest for history.

Player reaction: ‘The boys got it good’

Allan McGregor hopes the Rangers have taken a big step towards the Premiership title with their 1-0 win over Celtic.

Ibrox’s stopper broke Hoops’ hearts with three world-class saves before the self-titled Callum McGregor’s own goal gave Steven Gerrard’s team a precious victory that moves them 19 points ahead at the top.

The Light Blues number one told Sky Sports: “Hopefully in five months it will be a great victory. I thought we were very, very poor in the first half and the 15 minutes before the expulsion happened.”

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“We were a little bit better after that, but the win is the most important thing. I have no idea why, but they seemed hungrier in the first half, but we got the win.

“It didn’t bother me having to be so busy. It’s part of the game, you need to focus and be prepared for whatever comes your way.

“But I was upset at how bad we were. I keep repeating myself, victory is the most important thing.

“The guys dug it right. If it goes back to the Walter (Smith) era, he was really good at it, but that comes from the players and the messages the coach gives us to do it.”

Whats Next?

Sunday, January 10 2:00 p.m.

Start 3:00 pm

Monday, January 11 7:00 p.m.

Start 7:45 pm

The Rangers are back in Scottish Premiership action when they visit Aberdeen on Sunday 10th January, live at Soccer Sky Sports; start 3pm. The Celtic host Hibernian a day later, on Monday January 11, also lives in Soccer Sky Sports; start 19:45 h.