Ten-man Rangers saw their Premiership title dreams crushed by Celtic following a stormy Old Firm derby at Parkhead.
Philippe Clement’s side fell six points behind the Hoops with only two games left to play as their wretched record in Glasgow’s east end in recent years continued.
A lively contest burst into life before the break as three goals and a red card came in a frantic 12 minute period, with John Lundstram costing his team mates dearly after being sent off for a lunging challenge on Alistair Johnston.
Referee Willie Collum initially brandished a yellow card for the midfielder after catching Johnston high on the ankle before he was summoned across to the pitchside VAR monitor to review the tackle. The whistler subsequently upgraded his on-field decision to a red card.
Matt O’Riley’s strike and an own goal from Lundstram proved decisive for Brendan Rodgers’ side, with Cyriel Dessers handing the Light Blues a brief lifeline before Lundstram’s moment of madness.
Rangers must now take maximum points from their remaining two league fixtures against Dundee and Hearts and hope that Celtic slip up against either Kilmarnock or St Mirren in the coming week.
Here,GlasgowWorld rates how the Rangers players performed at Celtic Park:
A lively contest burst into life before the break as three goals and a red card came in a frantic 12 minute period, with John Lundstram costing his team mates dearly after being sent off for a lunging challenge on Alistair Johnston.
![Replaced Lawrence on the hour mark. Looked energetic without creating much. Dragged down by McGregor to win his side a free-kick.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/12/08/17/18/20880258.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
13. Nicolas Raskin (SUB) - 4/10
Replaced Lawrence on the hour mark. Looked energetic without creating much. Dragged down by McGregor to win his side a free-kick. | SNS Group
![Brought on for Barisic as part of a double change with 30 minutes remaining. Had to be alert to knock the ball behind for a corner with Forrest lurking in behind.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/03/15/12/27/21013770.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
14. Ridvan Yilmaz (SUB) - 4/10
Brought on for Barisic as part of a double change with 30 minutes remaining. Had to be alert to knock the ball behind for a corner with Forrest lurking in behind. | SNS Group
![Started the previous Old Firm clash but was hooked at half-time on that occasion. Came on for Silva with just over 15 mins left to play. Made a dangerous lung-bursting run from his own half into the Celtic box before seeing his shot blocked by McGregor. A positive cameo.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/11/29/16/20/20909803.jpg.jpg?trim=0,295,0,294&width=800)
15. Scott Wright (SUB) - 5/10
Started the previous Old Firm clash but was hooked at half-time on that occasion. Came on for Silva with just over 15 mins left to play. Made a dangerous lung-bursting run from his own half into the Celtic box before seeing his shot blocked by McGregor. A positive cameo. | SNS Group
![Replaced a tiring Dessers late on but not on the pitch long enough to make an impact.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjAxMTkyZTVjLWE4YjEtNGJjNy1iMGFjLTZiYTM2ODdmMjUxNTo0ZDAzNGRjNS0wZmY3LTQ3MTUtYTdmYi02ZGJiYzgwZTZiMmE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
16. Kemar Roofe (SUB) - N/A
Replaced a tiring Dessers late on but not on the pitch long enough to make an impact. Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group