Celtic crush Rangers title hopes by winning Old Firm derby

A sensational Scott McDonald volley was enough to secure a 1-0 victory for Celtic over Rangers in the second Old Firm derby of the season at Ibrox.

In what was a tame affair by Old Firm standards McDonald sealed the points for Celtic with the Parkhead club’s first shot on target in the 57th minute.

The win ended a 14-month unbeaten run for Rangers at Ibrox and sends Celtic seven points clear over their ancient rivals at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

Rangers, who won 4-2 at Parkhead earlier in the season, dominated possession throughout the match and will rue a number of early missed opportunities as they fall further behind Celtic in the race for the title.

The game started at a frantic rate and it was the home side who took control of early proceedings.

Steve Davis was the first to come close in the third minute.

The midfielder’s pace took him past Lee Naylor on the right and he fired a shot in at Artur Boruc.

The Polish keeper fumbled the save and the rebound landed at the Northern Ireland international’s feet but he blasted his effort high and wide.

Rangers had the ball in the net after 10 minutes. Boruc knocked the ball into his own net from a Davis corner under heavy pressure from Kirk Broadfoot but the referee ruled the Rangers defender had fouled the keeper.

Kenny Miller should have done better in the 19th minute when Pedro Mendes picked him out in the box with a perfect pass but the Scotland striker took a touch too many before sending his shot wide of the post.

Celtic had their first real chance in the 21st minute when Scott McDonald teed up Georgios Samaras at the edge of the box. The Greek striker twisted and turned before pulling the trigger but Allan McGregor watched his weak effort trundle past his post.

Kris Boyd cleverly played in Miller after 29 minutes but the Scotland international snatched at his shot under pressure from Gary Caldwell and it went well wide of the post.

Boyd should have opened the scoring a minute into the second-half. Barry Ferguson picked up the ball just inside the Celtic half and ran at the Hoops defence before sliding the ball to Boyd.

The SPL top-scorer took a touch before letting fly but Boruc was out to block his shot and the ball rebounded off the striker before going out.

Celtic took the lead through McDonald with their first shot on target in the 57th minute. A long ball over the top was flicked on by Samaras to McDonald. The Australian controlled it on his chest and then took a touch before turning his marker Broadfoot and unleashing an unstoppable volley into the top corner of the net.

Rangers then began a period of sustained pressure. The home side enjoyed the majority of possession and kept Celtic penned back in their own half but to the frustration of the Rangers fans Boruc wasn’t troubled in goal.

It was Celtic who came closest to increasing their lead in the 85th minute. Paul Hartley floated over a free-kick from the left and Samaras popped up at the back post but he his downward header was straight at McGregor.

Rangers continued to press but couldn’t find their way past a packed Celtic defence and the Hoops held on to claim victory.