Glasgow Old Firm Stalemate Hands Advantage to Celtic in SPL Run in

You would be forgiven to believe that football was involved this week after the recent mail bomb death threats aimed at Celtic boss Neil Lennon. But, today's seventh and final old firm match of the season started off slowly enough before exploding into action in the second half.

by Marc Roseblade


In a match that many had billed as title decider, nerves were on edge as many expected similar fireworks to this season's previous encounters between the two, but the first half fizzled out without much incident.

Apart from a handbag spat between David Weir and Georgio Samaras, where both received a yellow card, there wasn't much to see. Neither keeper had an on-target save to make and even coaches Lennon and McCoist were behaving themselves.

But the second half more than made up for the uneventful first 45 minutes.

Jelavic, Naismith and Lafferty were combining well up front for the home side, and it was 52 minutes before the first real opportunity was created when a cross was met by Lafferty in the six-yard box, who really should have done better with his header, but watched as it went wide of the post.

It was clear intent from Rangers that they wanted the win and Lafferty, who has been resurgent of late, wants to keep proving all his early season haters, wrong.

At the other end, Celtic were sharp, with Samaras and Hooper linking well but had been fruitless thus far in the match, but it was Kayal who was to near to breaking down the Rangers defence when a well struck shot drifted just inches wide, much to the relief of McGregor in the Gers goal.

Celtic were forced to make a change when Ledley appeared to be injured in a Naismith challenge but Celtic golden boy Kris Commons was his replacement much to the delight of the Celtic support in the Broomloan Road stand.

Majstorovic was denied by a simply outstanding save from McGregor once again when a point-blank header was cleared from the goal line with a  "Billy the Cat" comic book–style save that was heading for the top right corner of the net.

McGregor is pure and simply one of the best keepers in the UK, and this save was not to be his last that would prove this case.

Chances were happening at both ends of the pitch in a game that had turned into a 100 mph race to open the scoring. It was a no-holds-barred effort to win the title.

Kayal had another long-range shot saved by McGregor whilst Naismith saw his shot flash across Forsters goal and past without bulging the net.

The Rangers keeper was again the hero for the home supporters after a nice passing move between Samaras and Izaguirre ended with the latters curling shot being knocked over the bar by McGregor.

The big talking point of the match so far was about to happen on 82 minutes when substitute Stokes went down in the box after a challenge from Steve Davis.

The referee immediately pointed to the spot but on watching replays of the decision, the ref will see that he got this wrong. Stokes clearly ran directly at the Rangers man to earn the penalty and with this, the official was duped.

However, man of the match Alan McGregor was to bring justice to this decision when he magnificently saved the spot kick from Samaras, knocking the ball out with a great drive down to his right-hand side.

El Hadj Diouf was to enter the cauldron on 84 minutes, replacing the influential Edu to add to the homes sides attacking needs for the final few minutes but his entry to the field was not to influence the end result.

Anthony Stokes was to earn a yellow card before the end after going down in the box with an identical challenge that had earlier earned him a penalty showing that consistency is a problem with referees.

The game was to end 0-0 and with it, top spot remains in Rangers grasp for the time being. The Gers are currently one point in front of their Glasgow rivals but the East End side have a game in hand and will surely believe that the title could be heading to Parkhead in five games time.

In a match that was highly charged, the players, coaches and fans behaved impeccably on and off the field, and as Celtic boss Neil Lennon left the field to a chorus of boos from the home fans, his cupping of his ears was a humorous end to a difficult week from the Northern Irishman.

Rangers Remain Top But Advantage goes to Celtic in SPL Title Run In