Rangers 2 – 2 Celtic

Reo Hatate scored a late equaliser to rescue some extent for Celtic as they got here from two targets down to attract 2-2 with Rangers in a pulsating Outdated Agency conflict at Ibrox.

A Youssef Chermiti surprise purpose put Rangers forward early on because the hosts piled on the strain earlier than the striker took benefit of some slack Celtic defending to double their lead earlier than the half-hour mark.

Celtic improved tremendously after half-time with Kieran Tierney’s header decreasing the deficit they usually have been the higher group within the second interval.

They bought their reward within the dying minutes when Daizen Maeda’s header struck the hand of Dujon Sterling, with Hatate’s spot-kick and observe up initially saved by Jack Butland earlier than the midfielder finally bundled the ball into the online.

Each side had watched Hearts prolong their lead on the prime the day earlier than and knew a win on both facet was important to maintain the strain on the league leaders in an enthralling title race.

The sport began at its normal frantic tempo nevertheless it was the house facet who settled with extra function. Nico Raskin compelled Viljami Sinisalo into an early cease earlier than being referred to as again for offside nevertheless it was an indication of constructing Rangers strain.

They did take the lead simply eight minutes in with Andreas Skov Olsen standing his cross as much as the centre of the field the place Chermiti met it with a shocking overhead kick to fireside the ball previous Sinisalo.

The hosts had their tails up and practically bought a second quickly after. Mikey Moore superior with tempo down the left earlier than standing a ball as much as the again put up however Chermiti and Skov Olsen mixed to knock the ball onto the surface of the put up and out for a purpose kick.

Celtic did attempt to work their means again into the sport with Daizen Maeda’s cross evading Junior Adamu earlier than Tierney referred to as Butland into motion with a harmful low ball into the field.

Rangers regarded harmful each time they bought into Celtic’s ultimate third, nonetheless, they usually doubled their lead after 26 minutes. Dane Murray made a large number of attempting to clear Raskin’s clipped ball excessive, with a persistent Chermiti then robbing the ball from the trail of Julian Araujo to flick the ball around the defender and end previous Sinisalo.

It practically bought even higher for the hosts 5 minutes earlier than half-time when Moore’s cross was met effectively by the towering Emmanuel Fernandez however his header flashed simply vast.

Martin O’Neill made adjustments at half-time, introducing Sebastian Tounekti and Hatate instead of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Junior Adamu nevertheless it was Rangers who began the half on the entrance foot.

Skov Olsen noticed an effort deflected vast earlier than Tuur Rommens may have accomplished higher after connecting with a Moore cross on the again put up however he despatched his effort straight at Sinisalo.

Celtic did begin to acquire a foothold within the second half shortly after that, nonetheless, getting extra of the ball and irritating the hosts. Benjamin Nygren had an opportunity however fired effectively over the bar from the sting of the field earlier than Hatate compelled Butland into a very good save from distance.

They have been rewarded for his or her strain simply earlier than the hour mark when Rangers didn’t clear their strains, permitting Nygren to ship a cross into the field the place Tierney was unmarked and he powered a header again throughout Butland and into the online.

Celtic had an incredible probability to get again on degree phrases quickly after when Maeda discovered some house within the field however he may solely direct his header straight at Butland earlier than Hatate fired over from the sting of the field.

The guests actually ought to have gotten their equaliser after 78 minutes following some sensible build-up play, when Luke McCowan discovered himself in acres of house however his curling effort was smothered by Butland.

Ibrox was nervy because the clock ticked down and Rangers followers thought that they had witnessed one other unbelievable Butland save from a Maeda header just for referee John Beaton to be referred to as to the monitor with Sterling adjudged to have used his hand to deflect the Celtic ahead’s probability.

The Rangers goalkeeper produced an excellent cease to disclaim Hatate from the spot after which once more on the observe up however he couldn’t stop the midfielder finally bundling the ball into the online to assist Celtic safe a final gasp level in a end result that may go away Hearts and Motherwell followers thrilled.

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