CELTIC 2-1 RANGERS
Celtic goals Nakamura 20, Vennegoor of Hesselink 90
Rangers goal Novo 55
With normal time over, and the score tied at 1-1, Rangers must have thought they were going to snatch a vital point that would have virtually wrapped up the SPL championship. Step up Jan Vennegoor of Hesslink, whose 93rd-minute winner “keeps it [the title race] ticking along nicely”, to use the words of Celtic boss Gordon Strachan. Rangers are now just one point ahead of their Glaswegian rivals, although they do have a crucial two games in hand – the title is still Rangers’ to lose, but this result makes it far from a foregone conclusion. There was a handbags brawl after the final whistle. Celtic’s Gary Caldwell and David Weir of Rangers were shown red cards after the match, following on from the sending off of Rangers centre-half Carlos Cuellar for handling a Shunsuke Nakamura shot.
Celtic reaction “We showed tremendous spirit to come back.” (Gordon Strachan)
Rangers reaction “For us it is a difficult one to take losing it so late in the game.” (Walter Smith)
Man of the match Shunsuke Nakamura. The Japanese midfielder scored a 25-yard belter and would have had another but for Cuellar’s brilliant – but illegal – “save”.
Watch Nakamura’s wonder goal after the jump…
Swerve-tastic!