Police probe as violence mars Old Firm clash
PHILIPPE CLEMENT declared Rangers the ‘moral winners’ after they fought back to earn a pulsating Old Firm draw — but the match was marred by Celtic assistant coach John Kennedy being hit by a coin.
Daizen Maeda claimed the fastest Old Firm goal since 2002 after just 21 seconds when he took advantage of a James Tavernier error.
Rangers went two behind after Matt O’Riley converted a penalty awarded via VAR following a Connor Goldson handball.
Tavernier atoned for his error by scoring a penalty following another VAR intervention, after referee John Beaton initially ruled Fabio Silva had dived.
Abdallah Sima’s equaliser looked likely to count for nothing when Celtic substitute Adam
Idah thumped the visitors back into the lead two minutes later.
A stunning strike from Rabbi Matondo three minutes into added time secured a valuable point for Rangers though.
But events on the pitch were overshadowed after missiles were thrown from the home crowd.
The Celtic dugout was targeted early in the second half, shortly after Rangers’ Cyriel Dessers had a goal ruled out by VAR. Objects were seen raining down. Police Scotland have confirmed they are investigating.
A Parkhead spokesperson said: ‘It is totally unacceptable that our staff have once again been targeted in this way.’ Rangers
said they were helping police. Despite that, Rangers boss Clement was pleased with a point. ‘The second half we showed our real face,’ he said. ‘We showed the things I want to see, this never-stopping team that has a lot of resilience, hunger and desire to change the result.
‘ We deserve — and clearly deserve — at least a point. We are moral winners because a few months ago this team could not have reacted after 2-0 in an Old Firm. I don’t know if many teams in the past could have done it.’
A point behind Celtic, Clement’s side will return to the top if they win their game in hand with Dundee on Wednesday. In the
cold light of day, though, this was a good point for Celtic. Rangers have still to visit Parkhead and, if the champions win their final six games, they will retain the title.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, who felt Silva was guilty of diving to win the penalty, said: ‘It was a fantastic game to be involved in. I’m super proud of the team.
‘The first half was absolutely brilliant. We couldn’t have been more comfortable. The level of our football — we attacked with the ball, attacked without it — we could have been more comfortable by half-time.
‘The whole thing was leaving here with the performance and everything still in our hands.’