After years of playing in the lower Scottish league wilderness, Glasgow Rangers secured their first win at Celtic Park last Sunday since returning to SPFL.
It was a very similar story to the Hampden League Cup final earlier in December, where the Ibrox club were the superior side for much of the match.
Goals from Ryan Kent and Nikola Katic either side of a fortuitous hand ball goal for Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard were enough to earn Rangers all three points.
The Gers are two points behind Celtic, with the Ross County game at Ibrox still to come. A win will see Rangers overtake Celtic into the top spot.
Following last Sunday’s victory, the 2-1 result means both clubs have exactly the same goal difference of 42.
Steven Gerrard’s Rangers side got off to a bad start when their bitter Old Firm rivals were awarded a soft penalty by inept referee Kevin Clancy.
Katic was judged to have pulled back defender Christopher Jullien to give the spot kick away.
However, Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor saved Ryan Christie’s effort.
Obviously there was more at stake for Rangers, being five points behind and playing at Celtic Park, but they managed to deal with the pressure successfully.
Gerrard’s Rangers soon made Celtic pay for their missed opportunity, as Barisic placed a clever, well-weighted pass for Kent to score a wonderful opening goal.
Having had to endure the injustice of the Hoops equaliser, Rangers went on to secure the victory with an unstoppable, thumping Katic header.
My man of the match was Barisic, who inspired Rangers with two assisted goals and consistently excellent delivery.
Gerrard picked his side to dominate the midfield, then sat back watching them outplay the Hoops at Celtic Park.
The Rangers win leaves the supporters with the belief that the league title is in reach and that silverware is forthcoming for the Ibrox club in 2020.
