Rousing Celtic produced a show full of title-winning grit as they got here from behind to defeat Rangers at Ibrox — and edged nearer to Scottish Premiership glory.
Aaron Ramsey had the champions flying after he swept house the opener however Tom Rogic and Cameron Cater-Vickers netted to reverse their facet's fortunes.
Ange Postecoglou 's facet have been lauded for his or her thrilling soccer this season however it was their defensive rearguard that stored Rangers at bay within the second half.
And that win sees Celtic open up a six-point benefit over their nice rivals — plus an enormous 15 constructive aim distinction — with solely six video games remaining.
This fixture is famed for beginning at breakneck velocity and the newest instalment did not disappoint with the house facet setting out their intentions early.
And it solely took Rangers three minutes to internet the opener as Ramsey produced a measured end amid 50,000 followers kicking the ball into the web with him.
Josip Juranovic was caught out as Calvin Bassey ghosted in behind him and the Nigeria worldwide teed up the previous Juventus man to perfection.
Recriminations adopted because the Celtic right-back felt he was left remoted his team-mates.
Rangers had their tails up and a few teasing crosses from each Bassey and Tavernier adopted because the league leaders toiled.
Their woe was short-lived, nonetheless, as Ibrox was silenced following Rogic's equaliser towards the run of play which had Ibrox interesting for offside in unison.
Celtic skipper McGregor sparked the fightback with a slaloming run into the field, Rogic's preliminary shot was blocked however he stayed aim facet of Tavernier when Hatate's follow-up was palmed into his path by Allan McGregor. The Aussie made no mistake.
Nerve-shredding moments adopted with the event clearly enjoying an element as Rangers began to take a seat off to the midway line when Postecoglou's facet had been in possession.
Half probabilities had been abound earlier than Rogic scooped the ball over the bar from 10 yards out following Greg Taylor springing an offisde lure the ball rolling into his path.
Rangers, at their greatest on the break, claimed for a penalty when Joe Airbo clashed with Carl Starfelt simply as Tavernier launched his ball into the field.
However Willie Collum was unmoved and waved play on.
Celtic had been rising in confidence and handed up a giant probability when McGregor closed the angle Maeda as he raced into the field however the ball ricocheted into Rogic's who watched Bassey block his aim certain effort.
A manic finish to the primary half ensued as Maeda appealed for a penalty as he knocked it previous McGregor and there was contact from the Rangers keeper.
John Lundstram was booked for a full throttle sort out on Giorgos Giakoumakis however the actual drama would come from the ensuing free kick.
A looping ball into the field went unclaimed and the ensuing hesitance benefited Carter-Vickers who usual a half yard and tucked the ball beneath McGregor.
The interval was each an unneeded break within the white-knuckle motion and a necessity for these invested to take a momentary pause for breath.
However the restart did not go to plan as Hart's aim was left coated in glass from a damaged bottle and that ridiculous incident delayed the restart by nearly 5 minutes.
That second, and the rating on the break, mixed to supply a sedate environment because the second half began.
Celtic had been pleased to take a seat deeper however there was little doubt the vitality ranges appeared decrease, however Rangers had been unable to pin them in throughout the first quarter-hour of the second interval.
The second that received the house followers rocking once more was for a sort out moderately than a shot on aim as Giakoumakis was booked for wiping out Ryan Jack.
That sparked a siege on the Celtic backline that compelled the guests into a number of last-gasp clearances. The very best of which was Carter-Vickers repelling Bassey's unbelievable ball throughout the six-yard field.
Trend Sakala was then denied by a giant hand from Hart earlier than fellow sub Liel Abada fluffed his strains on the different finish.
But when the Israeli was pissed off by that then he was gobsmacked minutes later when McGregor rolled again the years to supply a save for the ages to maintain his workforce in it.
Roofe then headed extensive simply earlier than added time however that was one of the best of their probabilities because the tock clicked away.
This is 5 speaking factors from Ibrox.
Cal Mac plots his route
We're fairly certain the masks the Celtic skipper wears would not have any superpowers, nonetheless, it typically felt the person who makes his facet tick was forward of the opposition at each flip. Take his function within the leveller, as an illustration. His bobbing and weaving with the ball at his toes eradicated three Rangers gamers and proved the spark that received Celtic again on phrases.
However that was only a taster. McGregor was persistently in the best spot to spin away from hazard and go away his Ranger counterparts chasing shadows. He typically performed wing man to Scott Brown on days like these however he is now the headline for the boys from Glasgow's east finish.
Aar you not entertained?
The marquee arrival from Juventus has needed to bide his time for a signature second in Mild Blue however the harm niggles and cameo roles can have been value it to fireside his workforce into the lead.
The aim was massive a second however his influence was keenly felt past his composed end. His potential to each combine it within the center, whereas additionally appearing as chief help to Kemar Roofe was absent within the 3-0 trouncing at Celtic Park. He light as the sport continued however there was a lot to love.
What's in a reputation?
Whether or not it is the Outdated Agency or the Glasgow Derby, there isn't any doubt this fixture brings an environment distinctive to world soccer. The pre-match noise was crackling however that gave the impression of a well mannered applause in comparison with the crescendo that engulfed Ibrox as soon as the motion received beneath method.
The 700 away followers isn't sufficient within the eyes of many, nonetheless, the return of the duelling help definitely added an additional component that was absent within the two earlier fixtures this season.
Rog Day Afternoon
The Wizard of Oz is not a urgent machine like team-mate Maeda however Rogic boasts an unnerving knack for producing on Glasgow's day of days. His equaliser was essential because the league leaders had been beneath the cosh following an electrical begin from Rangers.
His end was cooler than the opposite facet of the pillow however his influence stretched past discovering the web. However there was flicks, methods and the odd agency sort out underlined his deserved inclusion. He earned applause as he exited within the 61st minute.
A stunning second
This fixture is unbelievable in so some ways however the scenes of visibly pissed off Hart highlighting to Collum and the bottom workers that a damaged glass bottle wanted cleaned up was not a great look.
Pantomime protests and banter is one factor, a doubtlessly life-altering incident on a pitch is one other.
The soccer was thrilling, the environment unbelievable, so seeing shattered glass throughout the six-yard field was a sobering actuality that moments of insanity are by no means distant. The responsible celebration deserves the strictest of punishments.