Celtic and Rangers - two laudable teams let down by the lamentable among their supports

It isn’t often that commendation and admiration demands to be dispensed equally after Scotland’s big two have locked horns. Especially when the outcome has practically decided the destination of the title in the favour of one.

Yet, both Celtic and Rangers deserve to be applauded to the rafters - over different aspects - for what they served up across a gripping 1-1 draw that see-sawed and sizzled with tension. A tied scoreline that essentially leaves the Ibrox men needing snookers to topple their bitter rivals. It could be no other way with Celtic ultimately preserving their six-point lead and now having only three league games to negotiate. Only just, did they preserve the advantage. Precisely what made the pairs’ slugging it out in the east end of Glasgow take on the properties of a true heavyweight contest that fascinated for the full 12 rounds.

The mettle shown by Rangers’ to produce such a stirring late rally - after appearing down and out in making little headway following the loss of a Jota opener in 21 minutes - could only be marvelled over. Indeed, but for the post and Joe Hart producing a superb reaction save, Fashion Sakala might have had a hat-trick and not merely the one superb finish that ensured the title will remain a live issue, at least for another week. that ensured the title will remain a live issue, at least for another week. Admiration is demanded for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men over their ability to consistently dip deep into their reserves as they strain every sinew in going all out on the home and continental fronts.

Trailing by a goal at Celtic Park, bereft of first choice strikers Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe, and coming off the back of a mentally draining Europa League semi-final first