Rangers delay Celtic's title celebrations
Reuters - Sunday 25 March 2012, 14:27
Rangers avoided the embarrassment of
allowing their city rivals Celtic to lift the Scottish League
title at Ibrox Park on Sunday when they beat them 3-2 in a
typically robust Old Firm derby which Rangers ended with 10 men
and Celtic nine.
A Celtic victory and title celebrations at Rangers' home
stadium would have been the final indignity of a harrowing
season for the Glasgow club, who have been docked 10 points for
going into administration amid large debts.
They started the day 21 points behind the champions-elect
but the gloom surrounding Ibrox in recent weeks was lifted when
Sone Aluko put Rangers ahead with a fine solo goal after 11
minutes.
Their fans were lifted even further after second-half
strikes from substitute Andy Little and Lee Wallace put them 3-0
ahead.
Celtic struck back with two late goals as captain Scott
Brown scored from an 89th minute penalty after Carlos Bocanegra
was sent off for a foul on Georgios Samaras before Thomas Rogne
powered in a header in stoppage time.
Those goals though were little consolation for the visitors
who had Cha Du-Ri sent off for hauling down Wallace after 29
minutes and midfielder Victor Wanyama sent off for a two-footed
tackle on Steven Whittaker after 57 minutes.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon was also ordered from the dugout
at the start of the second half for abusing the match officials,
but there is little doubt Celtic will be celebrating the title
shortly, even though their party was delayed on Sunday.
Celtic, who have 75 points from 31 matches and are 18 clear
of Rangers, can clinch their 43rd league title next week when
third-placed Motherwell play Rangers and they host St Johnstone.
Rangers, champions for the last three seasons, have won the
title 54 times but at the moment are more pre-occupied with who
might take over the club, which owes millions in unpaid taxes
and other debts.
On Sunday, reports said a Singaporean consortium have
become the fifth group to show an interest in taking over the
stricken giants, who look poised to finish as runners-up.
Despite that, they are set to be denied European competition
by UEFA next season for falling foul of their financial fair
play rules.
Administrators hope new owners can be in place by the end of
the season.