Henrik Larsson kept alive Celtic's slim hopes of retaining the title in a
pulsating Old Firm derby today.
The Swedish striker struck a dramatic equaliser in the 65th minute to salvage
a point for the Parkhead side.
It means Rangers maintain their 10-point advantage over their Glasgow rivals
going into the winter shutdown.
But Celtic will still believe they can catch Rangers and second placed
Kilmarnock after this battling performance.
Celtic took the lead through Alan Stubbs, only for Gabriel Amato to equalise.
Amato then set up the second for Rod Wallace, only for Larsson to deny Rangers
revenge for the 5-1 hammering in November.
Former Real Mallorca striker Amato was preferred to Jonatan Johansson in
Rangers front line with Stephane Guivarc'h sidelined with an ankle injury.
Neil McCann was also in from the start at the expense of Jorg Albertz, who was
on the substitutes' bench.
Celtic coach Jozef Venglos used only one main striker with Larsson going it
alone and Moravcik given a free role.
Rangers almost took the lead after four minutes when Amato's header from a
Giovanni van Bronckhorst corner was cleared off the line by an alert Paul
Lambert.
The home side stepped up the pressure and keeper Jonathan Gould did well to
tip away a fierce shot from Rod Wallace.
McCann and van Bronckhorst continued to carve out openings in the opposition's
defence.
Celtic found it hard to get into their stride but then came close to making
the breakthrough twice in the space of a couple of minutes.
Vidar Riseth was off target after Larsson played the ball into his path and
the Swedish striker followed with an effort that went wide.
McCann dragged a shot wide after Paul Lambert lost possession and Wallace beat
Gould from 20 yards only to see his shot fly inches wide of the post.
Celtic gradually began to make their presence felt and an inswinging cross
from Stephane Mahe grazed the post as the home crowd held its breath.
The visitors took the lead six minutes before the break thanks to the raiding
Stubbs.
He was left unmarked at the back post as Moravcik played the ball forward to
knock it beyond keeper Stefan Klos.
Rangers were rattled but drew level on the stroke of half time after former
Hearts star McCann had carved out the opening.
He delivered a perfect cross into the penalty area and Amato timed his run to
perfection to head home the equaliser.
Rangers almost took the lead in first half injury time but Gould reacted
instinctively to push away a 20-yard free kick from van Bronckhorst.
Celtic stepped up the pace at the start of the second half and Larsson fired a
fierce effort over the top after Lambert had delivered the pass.
Larsson then forced Klos into a good save only for the action to move to the
other end of the park.
Keeper Gould under pressure from Amato could only parry a cross from van
Bronckhorst.
Wallace thumped in the rebound only for the Celtic number one to make a
marvellous block.
Rangers took the lead after 58 minutes following a wonderful piece of skill
from Amato.
The Argentinian striker nut-megged Stubbs only for the ball to be partially
cleared. But Wallace was on hand to rattle it in an put them 2-1 ahead.
Celtic, however, re-grouped and drew level seven minutes later with Moravcik
at the heart of things.
He beat Klos with a thundering 25 yard shot, only to see it come back off the
bar.
The industrious Larsson was on hand to head the ball into the corner and equal
Wallace's tally of 18 for the season.
Celtic were only inches away from regaining the lead in the 73rd minute when a
header from Stubbs hit the bar after Moravcik had delivered the corner.
That was the end of the goalmouth action and now the clubs will re-assemble at
the end of the month with Rangers still firmly in pole position.
Teams
Rangers (1) 2 Celtic (1) 2
Rangers: Klos, Porrini, Amoruso, Hendry, Ferguson,
Kanchelskis (Albertz 61), Van Bronckhorst, Amato, Wallace,
McCann (Johansson 72), Vidmar.
Subs Not Used: Wilson, Miller, Brown.
Booked: Ferguson, Porrini, Van Bronckhorst, Hendry.
Goals: Amato 45, Wallace 58.
Celtic: Gould, Boyd, Mahe, McNamara, Stubbs, Larsson, O'Donnell,
Lambert, Moravcik, Riseth, Mjallby.
Subs Not Used: Brattbakk, Annoni, McBride, Burchill, Warner.
Booked: Lambert, Mahe.
Goals: Stubbs 39, Larsson 66.
Att: 50,059
Ref: J McCluskey (Stewarton).
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