Rangers clinched the Scottish Premier League title in Dick Advocaat's first
season as manager with Neil McCann's two goals proving decisive in a fiery
encounter.
The latest Old Firm clash was marred by a series of ugly scenes both on and
off the pitch that are certain to be investigated by the Scottish Football
Association.
Referee Hugh Dallas and a steward were both struck by objects thrown from the
north stand shortly before half-time.
In separate incidents three supporters from that section of the ground were
able to encroach onto the playing surface with one person trying to attack
Dallas before being restrained.
Dallas needed treatment from paramedics for a gash on his head before
continuing, while the steward was cried off on a stretcher.
The crowd had been incensed by some of Dallas' decisions, not least the
sending off of Stephane Mahe 13 minutes before the break for his second yellow
card.
Celtic eventually finished with nine men as Norwegian Vidar Riseth was
dismissed just before the end in similar circumstances for a challenge on
Claudio Reyna.
And Rangers ended the game with 10 men with Rod Wallace sent off four minutes
from time after tangling with Riseth.
That did not stop Rangers' celebrations after clinching their 48th Scottish
League title at the home of their Glasgow rivals and defending champions.
But Rangers did themselves no favours at the end of the match when they went
to their 7,500 fans and imitated the Celtic huddle, with the players gathering
together in a group.
And as they headed for the tunnel they were pelted with objects by fans
infuriated at their celebrations.
Ibrox boss Advocaat invested £40million in the hope of bringing the title back
to the club.
But he splashed out only £1.6million for McCann last December and the Scotland
winger has proved to be an inspirational buy.
McCann missed Scotland's match in midweek against Germany because of a toe
injury but he proved much too nippy for Celtic this evening.
Celtic went into the match on the back of a 5-1 victory against Rangers last
November which revived their hopes of a second successive title.
But they were without 10 first-team members against Rangers today and gave a
debut to Scott Marshall, on-loan from Arsenal.
It proved too big a task and they were always second best to a Rangers side
who have led the table since last autumn.
Rangers took the lead after 12 minutes after a flowing move involving Tony
Vidmar, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Wallace and McCann.
Wallace knocked the ball in to McCann in the penalty area and he delivered the
clinical finish.
Rangers should have added a second when Jorg Albertz released Vidmar but his
cross from the byline was poor and the ball was scrambled away.
Celtic found it hard to get into their rhythm but almost equalised when Mark
Viduka played the ball into the path of Morten Wieghorst, who hurried his shot
and knocked it wide.
Celtic stepped up the pace and Riseth delivered a good cross into the path of
Alan Stubbs only for keeper Stefan Klos to gather the ball safely.
Mahe trudged off apparently in tears after being sent off 13 minutes from the
break and the mood of the crowd turned ugly.
But five minutes before the break Albertz showed remarkable coolness to slot
home a penalty for his 19th goal of the season.
Riseth seemed to be having difficulty coping with the atmosphere and hauled
back Vidmar, leaving referee Dallas with little option but to award a penalty.
Police stepped up security at the start of the second half at the foot of the
north stand as Rangers continued to hold the upper hand.
Henrik Larsson and Viduka were getting little change out of the visiting
defence, although Celtic almost pulled a goal back through Harald Brattbakk, who
got on the end of a pass from Wieghorst only for Klos to parry the ball to
safety.
McCann sewed the game up and delivered Rangers' 12th title in 14 years after
getting away from Marshall to steer the ball beyond keeper Stewart Kerr.
The match ended in further controversy with first Wallace and then Riseth
ordered off.
But Rangers had secured a comfortable victory to book their place in the
Champions' League with three matches remaining.
Teams:
Celtic: Kerr, Annoni, Marshall, Stubbs, Riseth, Mahe, Lambert,
Wieghorst (Healy 69), Larsson, Viduka, Brattbakk (Donnelly 60).
Subs Not Used: Johnson, Burchill, Corr.
Sent Off: Mahe (31), Riseth (90).
Booked: Mahe, Kerr, Wieghorst, Stubbs, Healy, Riseth, Annoni.
Rangers: Klos, Porrini, Amoruso, Vidmar, Hendry,
Van Bronckhorst, Albertz (McInnes 85), McCann, Reyna, Wallace,
Amato (Johansson 73).
Subs Not Used: Niemi, Wilson, Riccio.
Sent Off: Wallace (86).
Booked: Vidmar, McCann, Amato.
Goals: McCann 12, Albertz 44 pen, McCann 76.
Att: 59,918
Ref: H Dallas (Bonkle).
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