Celtic close in on Scottish Premiership title after beating 10-man Rangers

Rangers midfielder John Lundstram scored an own goal and was sent off as Celtic took a massive step towards retaining the cinch Premiership title with a 2-1 victory in a Parkhead thriller.

Celtic moved six points and seven goals clear of their city rivals with two matches left and set themselves up to clinch the first silverware of Brendan Rodgers' second spell in charge at Kilmarnock on Wednesday, if Rangers do not drop points at home to Dundee 24 hours earlier.

A flurry of activity in the final 10 minutes of the first half saw Matt O’Riley and Lundstram put Celtic two up, Cyriel Dessers pull a goal back, and the Gers midfielder receive a red card for a foul on Alistair Johnston.

Rangers had struggled to get a grip on O’Riley and Callum McGregor in midfield although they created several chances of their own in an action-packed opening period.

O’Riley missed a penalty as Celtic struggled to finish off the game against 10 men but the final whistle sparked a party.

Rangers manager Phlippe Clement handed Ben Davies a first start of 2024 amid injuries to Connor Goldson and Leon Balogun, while Tom Lawrence replaced Todd Cantwell.

Cantwell had written on social media that a caged bird cannot fly, after being substituted in Rangers’ victory over Kilmarnock, and appeared to have had his wings clipped further by Clement after being left on the bench throughout.

Celtic had Daizen Maeda back in the starting line-up following injury with James Forrest shifting to the right wing. It was only the second time this season that both wingers had started but they set the tone with a blistering start.

Inside the first seven minutes alone, Forrest beat Borna Barisic and saw a low cross scrambled away and twice threatened with left-footed strikes,