Celtic clinch victory over Rangers with sole goal

Scott McDonald once handed Rangers the title on a plate - but yesterday he inflicted a killer blow of a different kind.

The Aussie hot shot, known as Skippy, won his dream move to Parkhead after his scoring exploits for Motherwell wrecked Celtic's 2005 SPL dream.

But the striker made Gers suffer with a sensational half-volley at Ibrox yesterday.

His wonder goal handed Celtic a seven point lead at the top - and likely ended Walter Smith's side's hopes of the championship.

McDonald's moment of magic was one of the few pieces of brilliance on display in a scrappy derby.

Rangers had a lot of the ball but could do nothing with it.

When they were handed their one real chance Kris Boyd blew it.

And a section of the home fans didn't cover themselves in glory either with further sickening anti-Irish blasts aimed at the 'suspended' Aiden McGeady.

The sun shone across an ice-cold Govan but the atmosphere was hot as ever.

All eyes were on the field, but the ears were listening out for the latest songs deemed poisonous.

The children's favourite The Hokey Cokey is now added to the banned list alongside The Famine Song.

Ibrox exploded in a crescendo of noise as both sides ran out with the Celtic fans welcoming their team with a stunning tickertape show. But the game failed to spark into life.

Rangers midfielder Steven Davis had an early half-chance, but his second shot fizzed well wide.

Then Boyd saw a shot on the turn blocked by Stephen McManus as they probed for space. Referee Craig Thomson had his first big decision to make after 11 minutes when he ruled Kirk Broadfoot had pushed Celtic keeper Artur Boruc into the net as they contested a high, looping ball.

But the game was getting bogged down by poor passes and lazy movement.

Kenny Miller found a gap after a clever Pedro Mendes pass but the Gers hitman's poor first touch took him wide and he fired wide with his left foot.

Ibrox midfielder Charlie Adam was the first to be booked for a crushing late tackle on Barry Robson.

Celtic's Lee Naylor followed for hacking down Davis on the right wing.

The half-time whistle was greeted with a small band of home supporters in the main stand starting up the Hokey Cokey before quickly being drowned out.

Police had to take action against a banner in the home end which told any offended Celtic fans to get the bus to Stranraer and get on the Irish ferry. Celtic were late coming out after the interval with boss Gordon Strachan bringing Mark Wilson on for Andreas Hinkel who was below par.

Rangers were fired up and Gary Caldwell was lucky to escape after a clever foul on the free Miller.

Gers skipper Barry Ferguson had been quiet but finally came to life when his pass released Boyd into the box.

But the Ibrox idol couldn't find a way past Boruc who stood tall.

Boyd then saw a 20-yard free-kick charged down after Caldwell saw yellow for a foul on Miller.

And Celtic made them pay with a stunning goal after 58 minutes. McDonald had done little right all day but he made up for it with an incredible shot on the turn from 16 yards that scorched into the net It was Celtic's first shot on target - but what an effort.

Rangers threw men forward but their lack of creativity was their downfall.

scottishsport@sundaymirror.co.uk