Match Reports

Rangers 2 Celtic 3

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Celtic twice fought back to be victorious at rivals Rangers despite having defender Jozo Simunovic sent-off just before the hour.

Striker Josh Windass gave the hosts an immediate lead that was soon cancelled out by Tom Rogic’s exquisite finish.

However, Daniel Candeias duly restored that earlier advantage, until Moussa Dembele equalised for the visitors in fist-half stoppage-time.

Defender Simunovic was then dismissed for an adjudged elbow, but substitute Odsonne Edouard still found a winner with just over twenty minutes remaining.

Goalkeeper Scott Bain was handed a debut in place of the injured Dorus de Vries, while Dedryck Boyata and Callum McGregor both returned to the starting line-up.

However, Boyata was soon robbed by Windass and the Rangers front-runner struck with an angled drive on just three minutes.

But after Kieran Tierney had already gone close, Rogic collected possession and surged forward before supremely finding the far corner only eight minutes later.

Declan John and Simunovic then exchanged efforts that were both too high, that ahead of Candeias taking advantage of a cross from the left to suddenly restore the home lead.

Alfredo Morelos soon threatened another with a shot across goal before Hoops marksman Rogic replied at Foderingham from distance.

The Rangers keeper also turned aside Dembele’s header at a corner before next denying the recalled McGregor.

But the visitors were still level at the break when Dembele avoided the offside trap from Scott Brown’s forward delivery and calmly lofted over Foderingham.

Both Olivier Ntcham and Dembele saw further efforts after the restart, until Simunovic was dismissed when ruled to have elbowed Morelos in the face.

Recent signing Jack Hendry was therefore introduced into defence, while debutant Bain soon reacted well to frustrate Morelos.

However, substitute Edouard clinically found the far corner within a couple of minutes of departing the bench to suddenly have the leaders in front.

Back at the other end, Bain diverted Windass’ shot onto a post and then denied Morelos on the rebound as the champions moved nine points clear of the rest.

Rangers: Foderingham, Tavernier, Bates (Cardoso 15), Bruno Alves, John, Docherty, Goss (Cummings 74), Candeias, Windass, Murphy, Morelos

subs (unused): Miller, Herrera, Halliday, Holt, Alnwick

Goals: Windass (3), Candeias (26)

Celtic: Bain, Ajer, Boyata, Simunovic, Tierney, Brown, Ntcham, Forrest (Edouard 67), Rogic (Hendry 60), McGregor, Dembele (Armstrong 86)

subs (unused): Roberts, Sinclair, Doohan, Musonda

Goals: Rogic (11), Dembele (45), Edouard (69)

Ref: W. Collum

Att: 50,215

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