Van Bronckhorst not throwing in towel despite derby defeat

Giovanni van Bronckhorst remained defiant but realistic after Rangers' 2-1 defeat by Celtic at Ibrox took the Hoops six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Midfielder Aaron Ramsey put the home side ahead in the third minute but Parkhead midfielder Tom Rogic levelled four minutes later before defender Cameron Carter-Vickers fired in the winner just before the break.

With six fixtures remaining - including another Old Firm game at Parkhead - the Hoops are also 16 goals better off than Rangers and in the box seat to wrest the title back from Govan.

The Gers boss, who now starts preparing for the Europa League quarter-final first-leg tie against Braga in Portugal on Thursday, said: "Well, losing today against Celtic made it more difficult for us.

"That is obvious. It is not over yet but of course, the loss we had today makes it more difficult to be champions.

"If you play against your direct opponent for the race and you lose, you always make it more difficult.

"We have to keep on going. The emotions in football are highs and lows.

"Any football player will feel that, the days when you are very disappointed in the result.

"But there is still a lot to play for. Take this loss and disappointment, recover and be ready again on Thursday for Braga. It's another big game and we have to prepare well.

"It's almost the end of the season with a lot of games to be played in a lot of competitions. So we have to prepare and that's all we will do."

Asked about the decision to replace Ramsey with Fashion Sakala in the 66th minute, with Scott Arfield also on for Ryan Jack, Van Bronckhorst said: "Well I made my decision, that's it.

"Of course it's easy to talk about subs and why it didn't happen.

"You bring in fresh legs. We put Sakala