Celtic halted ten-man Rangers recent build up of momentum by edging out their Old Firm rivals 2-1 at Parkhead to move eight points clear in the Scottish Premiership title race.
Brendan Rodgers' side prevailed in a fairly even contest which saw two moments of quality from Paulo Bernardo and Kyogo Furuhashi set the Hoops on course to a crucial league win. With no away supporters in attendance, the boisterous home crowd were revelling in the party atmosphere on a bitterly cold afternoon when Gers defender Leon Balogun was given his marching orders for a last-man challenge on Daizen Maeda.
However, the hosts had to soak up a sustained period of late pressure from their opponents after James Tavernier reduced the arrears with a crisply struck free-kick on 88 minutes.
Celtic didn't look entirely comfortable during the eight minutes of injury-time but were able to keep the back door shut to cling on to a massive three points.
Here’s our Celtic player ratings from Parkhead:
Unused subs: Scott Bain (GK), Yang Hyun-jun, Reo Hatate, Anthony Ralston.
1. Celtic player ratings vs Rangers - gallery
Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates with Paulo Bernardo and Luis Palma after the Japanese striker makes it 2-0 against Rangers.
2. Joe Hart - 7/10
Not tested that often. Made some important saves to deny Cantwell and McCausland and had little chance of preventing Tavernier's free-kick from finding the net.
3. Alistair Johnston - 4/10
Not the Canadian's finest afternoon. Picked up an early booking and fortunate not to be sent off after conceding a few sill fouls. Lucky to escape a red card for handling the ball under pressure from Sima.
4. Stephen Welsh - 4/10
A hugely disappointing afternoon for the academy graduate. Handed a big chance with Carter-Vickers absent but was forced off injured in the first half with a shoulder injury. You have to feel for him.