Celtic 3-2 Rangers

Apr 27 2008 By Garry McConnachie

CELTIC heaped further pressure on Rangers as they stretched their lead at the top of the SPL to five points.

Rangers have three games in hand over their rivals and will have to pick themselves up after a second-straight Old Firm defeat.

The tie started at a frantic pace and Scott McDonald bagged his 28th goal of the season after four minutes with a low finish, although there was a suspicion of offside when Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink flicked the ball into his path.

Rangers gradually took control of the match and Davie Weir equalised with a header from Steve Davis' corner in 16 minutes.

And Walter Smith's side edged in front when Cousin glanced another pin-point Davis corner in off the bar in 28 minutes.

However, McDonald equalised for Celtic three minutes before half-time with a superb strike that flew beyond Alexander and into the top corner.

Within ten minutes of the second half Rangers lost the veteran Weir to a leg injury, with Amdy Faye taking his place at the heart of defence.

Celtic had their own injury problems, with Darren O'Dea replacing captain Stephen McManus, who hobbled off with an ankle knock.

The home support were jubilant when Barry Robson stepped up to fire home a penalty with 20 minutes left after the clumsy Kirk Broadfoot hauled down McDonald on the edge of the box.

And to rub salt into the wounds Rangers had Steven Whittaker red carded for a second yellow card after a wild challenge on Shunsuke Nakamura.

Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, McManus (O'Dea 75), Caldwell, Naylor, Nakamura,Robson, Hartley (Brown 84), McGeady, McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink (Samaras 70)

Rangers: Alexander, Broadfoot, Dailly, Weir (Faye 55), Papac, Novo, Ferguson, Hemdani (Darcheville 80), Davis, Whittaker, Cousin