Celtic 2 Rangers 1

HELLO and welcome to www.celticfc.net for tonight’s crucial SPL derby between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park.
With the Hoops having just six games remaining this season, a win tonight would take Gordon Strachan’s side to within one point of leaders Rangers.
The Celtic manager has made no changes to his side for the derby – naming the same starting line-up that played against Motherwell on Sunday.
Rangers start with their usual 4-5-1 formation. Scott Brown is suspended for Celtic, while Kevin Thomson is banned for Rangers.

Tonight’s teams:

CELTIC (4-4-2): Boruc; Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor; Nakamura, Robson, Hartley, McGeady; McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink
Subs not used: M.Brown, Balde, Wilson, Sno, Donati, Samaras, McGowan

RANGERS (4-5-1): McGregor; Broadfoot, Weir, Cuellar, Papac; Davis, Whittaker, Dailly, Ferguson, McCulloch; Darcheville
Subs not used: Alexander, Furman, McMillan, Novo, Naismith, Cousin, Boyd

Celtic kick off. Celtic are shooting towards the Lisbon Lions stand.

Celtic start to settle and McGeady finds space on the left wing. He crosses to he back post, but Papac clears

Vennegoor of Hesselink flicks on Naylor's throw, but Rangers again clear

Darcheville makes space on the left wing, but Paul Hartley shows good pace to cover back

Nakamura floats a ball to Vennegoor of Hesselink who beats the offside trap and runs through - but McGregor closes down the space and Rangers escape

Naylor shows pace and skill to skip down the wing and look for Vennegoor of Hesselink. Cuellar manages to clear

McGeady wins a free-kick on the left. Nakamura again crosses and Rangers are forced to concede a corner

Robson fires the ball into the danger area and wins another corner. Caldwell wins the header but Rangers clear off the line

Rangers attempt to get back into the game by firing long balls into the box, but Celtic cope with the danger

Rangers midfielder Davis tries a long range effort but it flies over the bar

Papac fires a cross to the back post but Naylor heads to safety

Ferguson gives possession to McDonald and the Australian races clear on the right and his vicious cross is parried away by McGregor

Nakamura takes McGeady's pass and moves forward but the midfielder can't find Robson

Celtic lose possession in midfield and Darcheville gathers the ball and surges forward - but his shot soars over the bar

Caldwell plays a long ball to McDonald, who is adjuged offside, although replays indicate he was onside

Naylor slips and Rangers moved forward. Darcheville's shot is deflected wide

Robson finds Nakamura, who passes to Hinkel. His shot flies over

HALF-TIME: Celtic 1 Rangers 0 - Nakamura's stunning strike gives Celtic the half-time lead at the break

Celtic kick off the second half. Celtic are shooting towards the Celtic End. The Hoops have replaced the injured Lee Naylor with Mark Wilson. Rangers have replaced Broadfoot with Novo.

Rangers win an early free-kick but Boruc gathers and releases McGeady. He finds McDonald but Papac clears

McGeady, Nakamura and Wilson all combine to find McDonald on the edge of the box. The Aussie jinks into space and fires over the bar

Caldwell does well to clear the danger as McCulloch threatens to find space in the box. Tackles are flying in all over the pitch.

Goal! Nacho Novo. Celtic 1 Rangers 1 - the Rangers striker moves into space on the right and fires the ball beyond Boruc for the equaliser

Caldwell looks for McDonald and he fires a shot towards goal, but he is flagged offside

Rangers try to pressurise the Celtic but Caldwell moves in to clear the danger

Celtic look to settle and make passes after the blow of losing the equaliser

Nakamura flights a pass to Hinkel who heads across goal. Vennegoor of Hesselink heads over the bar

Robson finds Hinkel and he picks out Robson, His shot is blocked, as is Vennegoor of Hesselink's.

Wilson storms forward and picks out Robson in the box. His cross is blocked by Rangers

MISSED PENALTY. Scott McDonald misses the from the penalty spot. Rangers are down to ten men.

McGeady crosses for McDonald, but he heads over the bar. Allan McGregor is getting intensive treatment for an injury

Samaras comes on for Robson

Rangers replace McGregor with substitute goalkeeper Neil Alexander

Wilson wins a corner on the left. Nakamura delivers and McManus heads wide

Caldwell flicks a pass to Nakamura, but the offside flag goes up - inexplicably.

Rangers replace Darcheville with Cousin

McGeady jinks into space and picks out Samaras at the back post, but he can't force the ball over the line

Samaras has a shot blocked and McGeady fires the rebound over

Celtic continue to probe but are getting little change out of the Rangers defence

There are five minutes of injury time

FULL-TIME Celtic 2 Rangers 1 - Goals from Nakamura and Vennegoor of Hesselink give Celtic a priceless win at Celtic Park.