Rangers 2, Celtic 1
Miller 2 McGeady (p)
This was a pulsating match of one half and three penalty claims. Celtic selected Zheng Zhi in midfield for an Old Firm debut and took the match to Rangers. In the second minute Shaun Maloney had a good chance to score but his angled 10 yard shot was cleared by Allan McGregor’s legs. In eight minutes Rangers won the ball in midfield and a pass was placed between the two Celtic centre backs. Kenny Miller ran between Loovens and McManus before scuffing his shot past Boruc. Boruc’s placement in goal seemed odd, as Miller’s shot crossed the line just off centre in the goal.
In the twelfth minute Maloney darted towards the Rangers by-line and was brought down by Davie Weir. It will be scant consolation for the Celtic fans to learn that the referee, Thomson, has acknowledged that he got the decision wrong, as he waved play on when the foul occurred. Rangers’ second goal came courtesy of Miller again and on this occasion McGregor got an assist. He cleared the ball up the centre of the park, Boyd jumped but missed, Loovens backed off but the ever-alert Miller went through on goal. This time he steered a shot to Boruc’s left hand post and the ball went in off Boruc’s arm. The Rangers fans could not believe what was happening. With the inexperienced Andrew Little going off through injury in the 15th minute they probably thought that their side would need to reorganise only to find themselves two goals up.
Just a couple of minutes after taking a 2-0 lead, Celtic were denied a second penalty claim. Once more Weir tripped Maloney but the Celt was booked for diving. The third penalty claim occurred in the 22nd minute when Papac brought down debutant Zhi. This time referee Thomson awarded the kick. Aiden McGeady struck the ball right footed and McGregor diving the correct way got a strong arm to it. Nonetheless, the shot had enough pace to carry the ball over the line.
For the most part, that was the match done. No fewer than three goals and three penalty decisions in half an hour and the rest of the game was tame by comparison. Rangers next chance in the match came in the last few minutes when Novo was sent through by Mendes with just Boruc to beat. He tried to lob the keeper but Boruc’s touch put the ball over the bar. For all they had the great majority of possession, Celtic never really threatened the Rangers goal. A volley by McDonald placed straight into McGregor’s arms and a grass cutter left foot shot from McGeady were all Celtic had to offer in the second half.
Teams
Rangers (4-4-2): McGregor, Whittaker, Papac, Weir, Little (Novo 15), Naismith, Mendes, Davies, Smith, Boyd (Lafferty 42), Miller
Celtic (4-4-1-1): Boruc, Wilson, Loovens, McManus, Naylor (Caddis 76), McGeady, Brown, N’Guemo (Samaras 62), Maloney, Zhi (McCourt 70), McDonald
Referee: Craig Thomson
Booked: Mendes, Novo (Rangers), Wilson, Loovens, Brown, Maloney (Celtic)
