Rangers manager Alex McLeish signed off with defeat in his final Old Firm derby at Ibrox.

Maciej Zurawski scored the only goal of the game to secure the win for Celtic in the Bank of Scotland Premier League clash.

Victory allowed the SPL leaders to extend their lead over Rangers to 21 points.

Earlier this week, Rangers revealed that McLeish would be leaving at the end of the season, meaning this would be his final Old Firm derby at Ibrox.

But, with defeats to Hibernian and Aberdeen still fresh in the mind, he was keen to focus on a return to winning ways.

He insisted in his programme notes: "Today is not about Alex McLeish - it is about Rangers bouncing back."

Paul Le Guen is the bookies' favourite for the job and had sent his loyal sidekick Yves Colleu to Ibrox for this game.

But his report would not have made good reading for the former Lyon coach.

As with every Old Firm match, this game started at a breakneck pace with both teams desperate to draw first blood against their bitter rivals.

Thomas Buffel tried to pick out Barry Ferguson at the back post but the Rangers captain just failed to connect with the header and the chance was lost.

But it was Celtic who took the lead after 12 minutes. A Stilian Petrov shot was blocked by Bob Malcolm, the ball broke to Zurawski and he rifled home from 15 yards.

Rangers were desperate to haul themselves back in the game but they failed to capitalise on their first corner of the match when Chris Burke's inswinger was nodded over the crossbar by Marvin Andrews.

Rangers continued to push forward and Nacho Novo tried to set up Dado Prso for the header but Artur Boruc was first to the ball.

John Hartson was fortunate to escape a booking when he appeared to retaliate after being tripped by Sotirios Kyrgiakos.

As the game raced towards half-time, Rangers should have taken the lead when Buffel skipped past his marker and only had the goalkeeper to beat. But he chose to play the ball to Novo instead, overhitting the pass, and the chance was lost.

The first booking of the game came four minutes after the restart when Prso was cautioned for a foul on Petrov.

Rangers were looking for a quick equaliser and Steven Smith had a decent chance when a Burke corner broke kindly to his feet but his thunderous shot was just off target.

Alan Hutton then fired into the path of Prso, who turned on the edge of the box before shooting over.

Rangers made their first change of the day with just over an hour gone, when Novo made way for Peter Lovenkrands.

Referee Mike McCurry produced the yellow card again when Roy Keane was booked on his Old Firm debut for a challenge on Prso.

Bobo Balde then had the ball in the back of the net for Celtic - but only after clattering into goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus.

Rangers threw Kris Boyd into the action in place of Buffel, while Celtic swapped Hartson for Dion Dublin.

With only a goal separating the two sides, Rangers knew they could snatch a point but they looked nervous every time they progressed into the Celtic box.

Burke came closest to grabbing the equaliser when he forced Boruc into an impressive save with a thunderous free-kick.

But Rangers were destined to end the game, and now their season, empty-handed.

Teams

Rangers Waterreus, Hutton, Andrews, Kyrgiakos (Rodriguez 66),Smith, Burke, Malcolm, Ferguson, Buffel (Kris Boyd 72),Novo (Lovenkrands 61), Prso.

Subs Not Used: Klos, Hemdani, Murray, Namouchi.

Booked: Prso, Kyrgiakos, Kris Boyd.

Celtic Boruc, Telfer, Balde, McManus, Wilson, Petrov, Keane,Lennon, Maloney (Pearson 89), Zurawski, Hartson (Dublin 74).

Subs Not Used: Marshall, Thompson, Nakamura, Wallace,

McGlinchey.

Booked: Keane.

Goals: Zurawski 12.

Att: 49,788

Ref: M McCurry (Scotland).