Rangers strike at death to draw chaotic Old Firm epic

2 years ago 40

ARTICLE AD BOX

By Nick McPheatBBC Scotland

Last updated on 17 minutes ago.From the section Scottish Premiership

Rabbi Matondo's stunning stoppage-time equaliser prevented Celtic extending their Scottish Premiership lead as Rangers came from behind twice late on to draw a six-goal Old Firm classic.

It had looked like Adam Idah's clinical finish six minutes earlier was going to put Celtic four points clear, the goal coming just 71 seconds after fellow substitute Abdallah Sima's deflected strike dragged the hosts level from two goals down.

But Matondo completed the scoring in a scarcely-believable seven-minute finale to leave the teams separated by just one point, with Rangers having played one game fewer.

Celtic had cruised into a commanding lead after a sensational first-half display, during which Daizen Maeda scored after 21 seconds when James Tavernier's clearance crashed off him and fizzed past Jack Butland.

In a VAR-affected contest, Matt O'Riley dinked in a composed penalty - awarded by referee John Beaton after an on-field review showed Connor Goldson had handled - to send the away side into the break two goals ahead.

But Tavernier, who endured a torrid first half, slammed in a spot kick of his own after Beaton reversed his decision to book Fabio Silva for diving under the challenge of Alistair Johnston.

Cyriel Dessers then thought he had prodded in a leveller a minute later, only for Beaton to rule it out after another visit to the screen for a foul by Tom Lawrence on Tomoki Iwata.

Rangers then huffed and puffed until bedlam ensued in a wild ending - including a bout of pushing and shoving - to leave it as you were at the summit.

More to follow.

Line-ups

Rangers

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Butland
2Tavernier
6GoldsonSubstituted forBalogunat 90+7'minutes
5Souttar
21Sterling
42DiomandeSubstituted forDowellat 78'minutes
4Lundstram
23WrightSubstituted forSimaat 45'minutes
11LawrenceSubstituted forCantwellat 69'minutes
7Fábio SilvaSubstituted forMatondoat 69'minutes
9Dessers

Substitutes

13Cantwell
17Matondo
19Sima
20Dowell
27Balogun
28McCrorie
31Barisic
38King
45McCausland

Celtic

Formation 4-3-3

1Hart
2JohnstonBooked at 40mins
20Carter-Vickers
5Scales
3Taylor
33O'RileyBooked at 42minsSubstituted forGonçalves Bernardoat 82'minutes
24Iwata
41HatateSubstituted forMcGregorat 65'minutes
10KühnBooked at 20minsSubstituted forYangat 65'minutes
8FuruhashiSubstituted forIdahat 69'minutes
38MaedaBooked at 71mins

Substitutes

9Idah
13Yang
17Nawrocki
28Gonçalves Bernardo
29Bain
42McGregor
49Forrest
56Ralston
57Welsh

Live Text

Match ends, Rangers 3, Celtic 3.
Second Half ends, Rangers 3, Celtic 3.
Attempt missed. Cyriel Dessers (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Todd Cantwell.
Substitution, Rangers. Leon Balogun replaces Connor Goldson.
Foul by Kieran Dowell (Rangers).
Paulo Bernardo (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Cyriel Dessers (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Liam Scales (Celtic).
Goal! Rangers 3, Celtic 3. Rabbi Matondo (Rangers) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by John Lundstram.
Attempt missed. Connor Goldson (Rangers) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by James Tavernier with a cross following a set piece situation.
Todd Cantwell (Rangers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Daizen Maeda (Celtic).
Goal! Rangers 2, Celtic 3. Adam Idah (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Paulo Bernardo.
Goal! Rangers 2, Celtic 2. Abdallah Sima (Rangers) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Cyriel Dessers.
Attempt blocked. Rabbi Matondo (Rangers) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Dujon Sterling.
Todd Cantwell (Rangers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Tomoki Iwata (Celtic).
Attempt missed. John Lundstram (Rangers) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by James Tavernier with a cross following a set piece situation.
John Lundstram (Rangers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Daizen Maeda (Celtic).