Alfredo Morelos saw red for the fifth time this season during the Old Firm derby at Parkhead.
Celtic had gone into a 1-0 lead against Rangers when Odsonne Edouard raced clear to open the scoring.
The hosts had dominated the first half and could have gone further ahead were it not for Allan McGregor.
And Rangers' task was made even harder in the 31st minute when Morelos was dismissed for an off-the-ball incident involving Celtic skipper Scott Brown.
Referee Bobby Madden showed the striker a straight red after consulting assistant Alan Mulvanny as Morelos immediately remonstrated with the officials.
Replays showed the incident as Brown and Morelos clashed off the ball.
The Celtic skipper appeared to cut across Morelos before the Rangers man lashed out and threw an arm in Brown's direction.
Despite there being little contact, the Scot fell to the ground and referee Madden was left with no option but to pull out the red card.
While Morelos was blasted for his conduct, Brown was accused of doing his best to get his opponent dismissed.
As a furious Morelos made his way off the pitch, the Celtic skipper was seen laughing at the striker's tantrum.
Meanwhile, Rangers' boss Steven Gerrard was evidently dismayed at the latest in a long line of incidents from Morelos.
The Colombian, 22, has now been sent off on five occasions this term having been warned about his conduct.
Morelos has been dismissed three times against Aberdeen already this term with his first coming in August.
He also saw red in a defeat to Aberdeen in December before another sending off in a 4-2 win last month.
