Celtic win Old Firm derby

Celtic have gone 11 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier Division after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Old Firm rivals Rangers at Parkhead. Alan Thompson was the hero for the Bhoys after he scored the winning goal after just 17 minutes of the first half.

However, Celtic should have won by a much greater margin, as Rangers were under constant pressure in the opening half from the in-form strike force of Chris Sutton and Henrik Larsson. These two combined to set up Thompson for his goal. Sutton released Larsson and he unselfishly passed to Thompson who made no mistake with an easy close-range shot.

When Rangers' Fernando Ricksen was sent off after lunging at Thompson on the stroke of half-time it looked very ominous for the reigning Scottish champions. But Dick Advocaat's men dug in for the second half and, inspired by substitute Tugay, who came on for Kenny Miller immediately after the interval, they began to cause the home side some difficulties.

Although Rangers enjoyed a period of sustained pressure in the second half, it was Celtic who could have sealed victory in the 71st minute when Thompson was once again set up by Larsson but he could only blast this one over the bar. In the 80th minute, Rangers were denied a clear penalty after Sutton clearly pulled back Flo in the area. As the minutes ticked by, Rangers threw everything they had forward but it wasn't enough as Martin O'Neill's men held out for a vital victory as they continue their quest for the Scottish Premier Division title.

After the game, O'Neill was adamant that his side has not yet wrapped up the league title. "Of course, it's not over. By my reckoning if we won another eight games we still would not be sure of the championship. The lads are delighted, and this gives us a cushion. But I have seen leads like this whittled away before, and I do not think there is any triumphalism in the dressing room," he said.

However, Rangers boss Dick Advocaat has all but conceded the title to his club's archrivals. "We have to be realistic. It will be now very, very difficult to catch Celtic but as long as it is still possible we have to believe in it. In football everything is possible," he said. But Advocaat was pleased with his team's efforts in the second 45 minutes. "I think the way we played in the second half, we have to give the team credit. I think we played much better than in the first half and had some chances to score a goal. I'm not pleased with the first half but they worked hard with 10 men," he added.

Meanwhile, in today's other Scottish Premier Division tie, Kilmarnock stole victory at McDiarmuid Park, beating St Johnstone 2-1 after Peter Canero scored with virtually the last kick of the game in injury time.

Filed by Amanda Fennelly