Celtic's Clydesdale Bank Premier League title hopes are firmly back on course after a 3-2 win over Rangers in a pulsating encounter at Parkhead.

Scott McDonald put the champions ahead early on but headers from David Weir and Daniel Cousin put Rangers ahead before McDonald levelled before half-time.

Parkhead midfielder Barry Robson scored with a penalty after the break to regain the lead and in a typically-enthralling Old Firm encounter, there was one more bit of drama remaining.

Rangers defender Steven Whittaker, booked earlier for a foul on Lee Naylor, was sent off in injury time after a foul on Shunsuke Nakamura.

When referee Craig Thomson blew for full-time Celtic were five points clear at the top of the SPL although the Ibrox side have three games in hand.

This crunch match needed little extra spice but it got it when Rangers manager Walter Smith criticised Parkhead chief executive Peter Lawwell for complaining about the season possibly being extended if the Ibrox side reached the UEFA Cup final in Manchester next month.

The first-half matched anything the Old Firm had served up in over 100 years of rivalry.

Rangers had lost 2-1 at Parkhead only 11 days earlier to a last-gasp goal by Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and this time fell behind with only four minutes gone to a McDonald goal.

Andreas Hinkel drove a long ball towards Vennegoor of Hesselink who had the time and space to head the ball down to the Australian striker who ignored the possibility of being offside to drill his shot from 14 yards past Neil Alexander.

The loss of the early goal put paid to the Light Blues' defensively-minded game-plan and they responded positively, pushing with some enthusiasm for the equaliser.

In the 15th minute some careless handling by Alexander conceded a needless corner from which Ibrox left-back Steven Whittaker was fortunate not to be penalised when Gary Caldwell's header appeared to strike his arm.

But a minute later the visitors were level when a Davis corner from the left was headed home Weir, with Celtic keeper Artur Boruc flapping in a packed six-yard box.

Play raged from end to end. Alexander made up for a jittery start with a good save from Nakamura's free-kick from just outside the box which threatened to sneak in at the near post.

Moments later, Rangers wide-man Nacho Novo robbed Naylor wide on the right but the little Spaniard found no takers with his cut-back from the bye-line.

The Light Blues had the edge and in the 29th minute they took the lead from another Davis corner which left the Celtic defence exposed.

When the flighted delivery came in at the near post, Cousin rose highest to glance high past Boruc.

Celtic took control as the game sped towards the interval and with three minutes of a pulsating first period remaining, McDonald's shot from the edge of the box took a deflection off Christian Dailly and looped over Alexander to draw the teams level.

The interval gave everyone inside Parkhead the opportunity to draw breath but the mayhem resumed after the break.

McDonald was sent clean through by Nakamura but strangely opted to square the ball to Vennegoor of Hesselink who was robbed by Rangers defender Sasa Papac as he hesitated before getting his shot away.

Weir hobbled off in the 51st minute to be replaced by Amdy Faye, a curious substitution by Ibrox boss Walter Smith.

The home side, busier and more determined, remained on top with Rangers pressed back in to their own half with their only out-ball appearing to be the long punt to Whittaker.

The Parkhead side racked up the corner count but found the Ibrox side in resilient mood, if Faye looked like a fish out of water.

In the 69th minute Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot grappled McDonald to the ground inside the box to concede a penalty and earn a yellow card, the former St Mirren player lucky not to see red.

Robson drove his spot-kick past Alexander to give Celtic back their lead and from there on in, the home side looked in no real danger.

In injury time, Whittaker was sent packing by Thomson after he revealed his frustration by fouling Nakamura on the touchline.

Teams:

Celtic Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus (O'Dea 66), Naylor, Nakamura, Hartley (Scott Brown 83), Robson, McGeady,Vennegoor of Hesselink (Samaras 68), McDonald.

Subs Not Used: Mark Brown, Caddis, Donati, Wilson.

Booked: Robson, Hartley, Naylor, Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Goals: McDonald 4, 43, Robson 70 pen.

Rangers Alexander, Broadfoot, Dailly, Weir (Faye 51), Papac, Whittaker, Hemdani (Darcheville 79), Ferguson, Davis, Novo,Cousin.

Subs Not Used: Graeme Smith, Boyd, Lennon, McMillan, Fleck.

Sent Off: Whittaker (90).

Booked: Broadfoot, Whittaker.

Goals: Weir 17, Cousin 29.

Att: 58,662

Ref: C Thomson (Scotland).