Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Celtic v Rangers - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Britain - March 31, 2019 Celtic's James Forrest scores their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
(Reuters) - James Forrest scored a late winner as Celtic won 2-1 at home against Rangers, who had Alfredo Morelos sent off for the fifth time this season, in a pulsating Old Firm derby in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.
With the match heading for a draw, the hosts were alert to pounce on a loose pass from Rangers captain James Tavernier, before Forrest slotted home the winner.
The victory means Neil Lennon's Celtic moved 13 points clear at the top and have all but secured an eighth consecutive league title with seven league games remaining.
Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Celtic v Rangers - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Britain - March 31, 2019 Celtic's James Forrest celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
The hosts broke the deadlock in the 27th minute as striker Odsonne Edouard ran clear and thumped in a fantastic finish. Yet Rangers' day got worse soon after when striker Morelos was sent off.
The Colombia international was shown a red card after he appeared to elbow Celtic captain Scott Brown in an off-the-ball incident.
Winger Ryan Kent, on loan from Liverpool, dragged Rangers back into the match with a stunning solo goal in the 63rd minute and Steven Gerrard's side almost went ahead when Ryan Jack fired over the crossbar.
Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Celtic v Rangers - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Britain - March 31, 2019 Rangers' Alfredo Morelos in action with Celtic's Kristoffer Ajer Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
The match ended 10-a-side after Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata was forced off injured in the final minutes and manager Neil Lennon had used all his three substitutes.
(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Davis)
Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Celtic v Rangers - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Britain - March 31, 2019 Celtic's Odsonne Edouard scores their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Jason CairnduffSoccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Celtic v Rangers - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Britain - March 31, 2019 Celtic's James Forrest scores their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Jason CairnduffSoccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Celtic v Rangers - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Britain - March 31, 2019 Rangers' Alfredo Morelos reacts during the match Action Images via Reuters/Jason CairnduffSoccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Celtic v Rangers - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Britain - March 31, 2019 Celtic's James Forrest scores their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Jason CairnduffSoccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Celtic v Rangers - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Britain - March 31, 2019 Celtic manager Neil Lennon during the match Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
