Celtic 1 - 1 Rangers
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By Clive Lindsay
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Rangers retained their seven-point lead in the Scottish Premier League after a controversial backs-to-the-wall draw against second-top city rivals Celtic.
Celtic were left angered when Marc-Antoine Fortune had a goal chopped off for a foul on keeper Allan McGregor.
And Rangers' Kyle Lafferty was fortunate not to be sent off for a lunging challenge on Andreas Hinkel.
Scott McDonald headed Celtic into a deserved lead after 79 minutes, but Lee McCulloch matched that seconds later.
It had been Rangers' first effort on target but secured a draw that will leave the blue half of Glasgow the happier, retaining a cushion over a Celtic side who have a game in hand.
Celtic manager Tony Mowbray had sprung a surprise ahead of kick-off by dropping striker McDonald and starting Fortune up front along with Georgios Samaras.
Stephen McManus was the man to lose out in central defence following the return from suspension of Gary Caldwell.
 Novo was forced off after 11 minutes at Celtic Park
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While Mowbray obviously thought those changes strengthened his side, Rangers counterpart Walter Smith's changes were required to cover for two of his top performers of recent weeks.
Smith showed faith in 18-year-old Danny Wilson, who started in central defence in place of Madjid Bougherra, who had joined Algeria's African Cup of Nations squad.
Steven Whittaker came into midfield in the absence of the suspended Kenny Miller, with Lafferty moving up front to partner Kris Boyd.
Re-jigged Rangers started on the front foot, but Celtic's defence stood firm as the visitors played pinball with a series of attempted efforts that were blocked outside the penalty box.
Rangers' hopes suffered a blow after 11 minutes, when Nacho Novo picked up an injury and was replaced with the more defensively-minded Maurice Edu.
And, as the game settled, it was the home side who were controlling possession, with the Rangers defence increasingly stretched and their challenges becoming increasingly desperate.
It seemed only a matter of time before Celtic made the breakthrough and it looked like they had done just that after 19 minutes when Fortune headed home from five yards.
However, referee Steve Conroy ruled that the striker had led with the arm as he challenged McGregor to a miss-hit McGeady volley that flew high into the air.
Conroy appeared to have got that call right despite the resulting anger from the home support, but he was too lenient 11 minutes later when only producing a yellow card after Lafferty lunged dangerously, studs-first into Hinkel's shin.
Celtic's speed and movement was a delight to watch, but Rangers' doggedness was denying them threats on goal until a fine Hinkel cross was met by the head of Barry Robson and looped from 15 yards off the face of the crossbar.
Samaras ought to have given Celtic the lead two minutes before half-time, breaking through the challenge of Wilson but steering his drive from the edge of the box wide of the far post.
The Greek striker and McGeady both squandered chances early in the second half despite Rangers showing more attacking intention.
Fortune pounced on an Edu mistake to tee up McGeady in the clear on the edge of the box, but the winger fired high over the crossbar.
A 16-yard snap shot on the turn from Celtic substitute McDonald almost squirmed under McGregor.
However, the Australian striker did make the breakthrough after 79 minutes, stealing in behind his marker to head home from five yards after a cross from McGeady, who had teased his way past two defenders.
The lead only lasted two minutes, McCulloch rising above Caldwell 12 yards out to powerfully head home a Steven Davis corner.
McGregor prevented Celtic retaking the lead after 84 minutes, turning a curling 20-yard drive from Samaras brilliantly over the crossbar with his outstretched hand.
Live text and stats
Sunday, 3 January 2010
Scottish Premier
| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celtic | 1-1 | Rangers | R |
| (HT 0-0) | |||
|
|
||
Celtic
- 01 Boruc
- 02 Hinkel
- 05 Caldwell
- 11 Fox
- 22 Loovens
- 06 N'Guemo
- 17 Crosas (McDonald 71)
- 19 Robson
- 46 McGeady
- 09 Samaras
- 10 Fortune
Substitutes
- 24 Zaluska,
- 04 McManus,
- 38 Thompson,
- 52 Caddis,
- 14 McGinn,
- 27 Zhi,
- 07 McDonald
Rangers
- 01 McGregor
- 03 Weir yellow card
- 05 Papac
- 16 Whittaker yellow card
- 21 Broadfoot
- 66 Wilson
- 06 McCulloch
- 07 Davis
- 09 Boyd yellow card
- 10 Novo (Edu 13)
- 27 Lafferty yellow card
Substitutes
- 25 Alexander,
- 26 Smith,
- 69 Wylde,
- 02 Edu,
- 67 Ness,
- 29 Fleck,
- 48 Little
- Final Result
- Full Time
- 90:00+2:17 The referee brings the game to a close.
- 90:00+0:36 Glenn Loovens produces a overhead kick right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which goes wide of the left-hand post.
- 90:00+0:05 Outswinging corner taken by Barry Robson.
- 85:54 The ball is sent over by Aiden McGeady, Marc-Antoine Fortune takes a shot. David Weir gets a block in.
- 84:44 Daniel Fox delivers the ball, David Weir manages to make a clearance.
- 84:12 Corner taken left-footed by Barry Robson from the right by-line to the near post, Sasa Papac makes a clearance.
- 83:53 The ball is sent over by Andreas Hinkel, Georgios Samaras has an effort at goal from 20 yards. Save made by Allan McGregor.
- 83:21 Shot by Barry Robson from 25 yards. Save by Allan McGregor.
- 83:01 Unfair challenge on Barry Robson by Steven Whittaker results in a free kick. Glenn Loovens takes the free kick.
- 81:46 Georgios Samaras fouled by Kirk Broadfoot, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed by Barry Robson.
- 80:40 Assist on the goal came from Steven Davis.
- 80:40 GOAL - Lee McCulloch:Celtic 1 - 1 Rangers Lee McCulloch scores a headed goal from close in. Celtic 1-1 Rangers.
- 80:12 Corner from the right by-line taken by Steven Davis,
- 78:17 Aiden McGeady provided the assist for the goal.
- 78:17 GOAL - Scott McDonald:Celtic 1 - 0 Rangers Scott McDonald finds the net with a headed goal from close in. Celtic 1-0 Rangers.
- 77:14 Corner taken by Barry Robson, Scott McDonald produces a drilled right-footed shot from 20 yards. Danny Wilson gets a block in.
- 76:26 Shot from just outside the box by Kyle Lafferty goes over the bar.
- 74:29 Corner taken right-footed by Steven Davis from the left by-line, free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Artur Boruc by Lee McCulloch. Free kick taken by Artur Boruc.
- 73:49 Scott McDonald takes a shot. Allan McGregor makes a save.
- 71:57 Free kick crossed left-footed by Daniel Fox from left wing, clearance made by Kyle Lafferty.
- 71:57 Booking Booking for David Weir for unsporting behaviour.
- 71:50 Marc-Antoine Fortune fouled by David Weir, the ref awards a free kick.
- 71:21 Unfair challenge on Maurice Edu by Landry N'Guemo results in a free kick. Danny Wilson takes the free kick.
- 70:29 Gary Caldwell takes the indirect free kick.
- 70:29 Substitution Scott McDonald joins the action as a substitute, replacing Marc Crosas.
- 70:29 Kris Boyd is ruled offside.
- 67:33 Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Save by Allan McGregor.
- 65:30 Foul by Sasa Papac on Barry Robson, free kick awarded. Shot comes in from Barry Robson from the free kick.
- 65:04 Free kick awarded for a foul by Lee McCulloch on Georgios Samaras. Direct free kick taken by Landry N'Guemo.
- 62:54 Marc-Antoine Fortune produces a cross.
- 61:33 Direct free kick taken by Daniel Fox.
- 61:33 Booking Steven Whittaker is cautioned.
- 61:18 Unfair challenge on Landry N'Guemo by Steven Whittaker results in a free kick.
- 60:07 Corner from the left by-line taken by Steven Davis, Marc Crosas manages to make a clearance.
- 58:03 Lee McCulloch challenges Aiden McGeady unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Daniel Fox.
- 57:51 Centre by Sasa Papac, Glenn Loovens makes a clearance.
- 57:41 The ball is swung over by Kirk Broadfoot, clearance made by Glenn Loovens.
- 55:10 Barry Robson fouled by Kris Boyd, the ref awards a free kick. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Barry Robson from right wing, clearance made by Kyle Lafferty.
- 54:54 The ball is delivered by Daniel Fox, Danny Wilson manages to make a clearance.
- 53:04 Artur Boruc takes the free kick.
- 53:04 Booking Booking for Kris Boyd.
- 52:59 Kris Boyd gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Daniel Fox.
- 52:27 Foul by Marc Crosas on Maurice Edu, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Sasa Papac.
- 51:19 Shot by Aiden McGeady from inside the six-yard box clear the bar.
- 50:25 Corner taken right-footed by Steven Davis from the left by-line, save by Artur Boruc.
- 50:12 Shot by Danny Wilson. Gary Caldwell gets a block in.
- 49:45 Outswinging corner taken by Steven Davis, Georgios Samaras manages to make a clearance.
- 48:22 Aiden McGeady has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the goal.
- 47:40 Effort on goal by Kyle Lafferty from 20 yards. Gary Caldwell gets a block in. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Steven Davis from the left by-line, clearance made by Gary Caldwell.
- 46:19 The ball is sent over by Andreas Hinkel, Georgios Samaras produces a left-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the target.
- 45:38 Kris Boyd challenges Gary Caldwell unfairly and gives away a free kick. Gary Caldwell takes the free kick.
- 45:01 The match restarts for the second half.
- Half Time
- 45:00+2:06 The ref blows to signal half-time.
- 44:29 Corner taken by Barry Robson from the left by-line.
- 44:12 The ball is sent over by Aiden McGeady, Allan McGregor makes a save.
- 42:31 Effort from the edge of the area by Georgios Samaras goes wide of the left-hand post.
- 40:46 Andreas Hinkel sends in a cross, Headed effort from inside the area by Aiden McGeady misses to the left of the target.
- 35:36 Barry Robson takes a shot.
- 35:23 Glenn Loovens sends in a cross, Lee McCulloch makes a clearance.
- 31:54 Unfair challenge on Georgios Samaras by David Weir results in a free kick. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Daniel Fox, Allan McGregor makes a save.
- 31:36 Kris Boyd concedes a free kick for a foul on Marc Crosas. Landry N'Guemo restarts play with the free kick.
- 30:12 Artur Boruc takes the direct free kick.
- 30:12 Booking Kyle Lafferty is given a yellow card.
- 29:38 Andreas Hinkel fouled by Kyle Lafferty, the ref awards a free kick.
- 28:53 Shot from deep inside the area by Barry Robson clears the bar.
- 26:49 The official flags Marc-Antoine Fortune offside. Allan McGregor restarts play with the free kick.
- 25:31 Maurice Edu challenges Landry N'Guemo unfairly and gives away a free kick. Daniel Fox takes the free kick.
- 25:00 The referee blows for offside against Glenn Loovens. Allan McGregor restarts play with the free kick.
- 24:00 Sasa Papac concedes a free kick for a foul on Barry Robson. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Barry Robson from right wing, clearance by Kirk Broadfoot.
- Correction - 21:27 The offside flag is raised against Marc-Antoine Fortune. Kirk Broadfoot takes the direct free kick.
- 21:27 The referee blows for offside against Marc-Antoine Fortune. Allan McGregor restarts play with the free kick.
- 20:01 Corner taken by Barry Robson, Allan McGregor makes a save.
- 17:45 Unfair challenge on Georgios Samaras by Maurice Edu results in a free kick. Barry Robson crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right channel, free kick awarded for a foul by Marc-Antoine Fortune on Allan McGregor. Allan McGregor restarts play with the free kick.
- 16:09 Unfair challenge on Daniel Fox by Kyle Lafferty results in a free kick. Glenn Loovens restarts play with the free kick.
- 15:35 Corner from the left by-line taken by Barry Robson, Lee McCulloch makes a clearance.
- 14:24 The referee penalises Kyle Lafferty for handball. Direct free kick taken by Artur Boruc.
- 12:57 Steven Whittaker concedes a free kick for a foul on Barry Robson. Direct free kick taken by Gary Caldwell.
- 12:21 Substitution Maurice Edu replaces Nacho Novo.
- 10:57 The assistant referee flags for offside against Kris Boyd. Artur Boruc takes the free kick.
- 9:51 Barry Robson takes a outswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post.
- 6:38 Barry Robson takes a outswinging corner to the near post, Marc Crosas takes a shot. David Weir gets a block in.
- 5:32 Outswinging corner taken by Barry Robson from the left by-line.
- 4:37 Kyle Lafferty concedes a free kick for a foul on Aiden McGeady. Daniel Fox takes the free kick.
- 3:52 The referee gives a free kick against Georgios Samaras for handball. Sasa Papac restarts play with the free kick.
- 3:13 Georgios Samaras gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Steven Whittaker. Allan McGregor restarts play with the free kick.
- 2:52 Kris Boyd challenges Gary Caldwell unfairly and gives away a free kick. Gary Caldwell takes the free kick.
- 1:34 Unfair challenge on Kirk Broadfoot by Aiden McGeady results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Kirk Broadfoot.
- 0:00 The referee gets the game underway.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
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