Football Report: Celtic lose 1 - 3 against Rangers
Rangers beat Celtic 3-1 at Celtic Park in the first Old-Firm encounter of the season thanks to a brace from striker Kenny Miller.
The result takes the Glasgow team on top of SPL, 3 points clear of their rivals.
Garry Hooper gave Celtic the lead just before half time but his effort was cancelled out four minutes into the second half when Hoop’s stopper, Glenn Loovens put the ball in his own net as he tried to clear Kyle Lafferty’s header.
Kenny Miller then put the visitors in front only 6 minutes later with a volley. Referee, Willie Collum, who was officiating his 1st ‘Old-Firm’ match, pointed to the spot 10 minutes later Daniel Majstorovic fouled
substitute Kirk Broadfoot inside the box.
With this win, Rangers have now extended their winning run in the league to nine matches and have put a halt to their bitter rivals’ winning run in the league this season.
Going into this game, both teams were level on points so there wasn’t a huge difference between the two sides. But, Celtic had six players who were playing in their first ever Old Firm derby.
Rangers’ manager Walter Smith made two changes from the side that drew 1-1 against Valencia in the Champions league in midweek. Lee McCulloch made his return from injury and Kyle Lafferty came back to replace Richard Foster and Vladimir
Weiss.
All eyes were on referee Willie Collum as it took him just 70 seconds to produce a yellow card when Anthony Stokes was booked for a crunching tackle on Ibrox defender Sasa Papac. Tackles were flying in the feisty affair as Lee McCulloch
was booked for fouling Hoops’ left back Emilio Izaquirre.
With bodies falling to the ground throughout the match, Rangers midfielder Steven Davis tested goalkeeper Fraser Foster from 20 yards.
Celtic skipper Shaun Maloney went off with a concussion in the 14th minute following a clash of heads with Naismith and was replaced by Old Firm debutant Efrain Juarez. When Lee McCulloch brought down Georgios Samaras
in the 33rd minute 30 yards out, the Ibrox fans and bench held their breath expecting referee Willie Collum to produce another yellow card but this time, the referee showed leniency and Ibrox keeper Allan McGregor made a decent enough
save to deny Ki Sung-yong’s free-kick.
Just before half time, Ki’s corner came off Whittaker’s’ head and came towards Hooper who brought the ball down hammered it past Davis who was guarding the far post.
The visitors drew level 4 minutes into the second period with the help of Kyle Lafferty. Davis’ tricky cross was met by his Northern Ireland team-mate (Lafferty) who headed the ball towards goal with Loovens only able to guide the ball
into his own net.
The home side were responsible for their won downfall again in the 55th minute when Kenny Miller put the visitors in front. Forster made a mess of a routine clearance and Gary Naismith quickly tried to put Edu through
as Miller seemed to be in an offside position but when the ball eventually came to the Scotland striker, he buried his low volley past Forster.
More drama was still to come as the referee awarded the Govan club a penalty when Majstorovic brought down Broadfoot in the box. Kenny Miller coolly slotted his second goal of the game to give visitors a 3-1 lead.
The Parkhead team fought hard to level things but Rangers stopper McGregor was in top form as he denied Ki and Ledley as Rangers were content to see the game through.
Rangers striker Kenny Miller is out of contract at the end of the season and has yet to agree on a new deal but Walter Smith seemed very hopeful that the striker would extend his stay at Ibrox.
While talking to media he stated, “We want to keep him and we will know at some stage whether we can or can't. Just now, we will enjoy the fact that we have managed to come here after a really tough week for us playing in the Champions
League on Wednesday night. Coming here today would have been difficult for any team.”
Smith added: “Coming into this game, both teams had won their first eight matches and I can't remember that having happened previously. It may be that the Old Firm games become more important so from our own point of view we are delighted
to win the first game away from home.”
Rangers next face Kilmarnock in the CIS Insurance Cup while Celtic face St. Johnstone in the same tournament.
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