Scottish Premier League wrap: Celtic compound Rangers´ misery

29 April 2012 18:31

Celtic recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over crisis-hit rivals Rangers in the Scottish Premier League's Old Firm derby on Sunday.

It was a thoroughly dominant win for the champions, who had Charlie Mulgrew, Kris Commons and Gary Hooper net in the victory at Celtic Park.

While Celtic moved 21 points clear at the top of the standings, it remains unclear how long it will be before the two arch-rivals clash again with Rangers' financial future still uncertain.

The visitors had the best of the opening exchanges with Andy Little forcing a straightforward save from Fraser Forster.

But the game burst into life in the 16th minute as Celtic defender Mulgrew found himself in acres of space to power home a diving header from a corner to give the home side the lead.

Rangers responded with a few half-chances though Lee McCulloch and Steven Whittaker, but just after the half-hour, Celtic deservedly doubled their lead.

Hooper did well down the right hand side and slid a ball through for Commons, who coolly chipped over the onrushing Allan McGregor for his first goal of the season.

Rangers struggled to get a foothold in the game and Celtic looked more likely to grab a third and they almost did, as McGregor was forced into a strong save from Victor Wanyama.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon – sitting in the stands following his two-match touchline ban for abusing the referee in his side's Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Hearts – will have been delighted to see his team net a third in the 54th minute.

Georgios Samaras won the ball and drove forward before providing a through ball for Hooper, who fired high past the helpless McGregor to seal the memorable win.

In the day's other game, Hibernian remain just three points clear of the relegation zone after suffering a 1-0 loss to St Mirren.

Kenny McLean scored what proved to be the winner in the 65th minute.

Both teams finished the encounter with 10 men after Marc McAusland and Lewis Stevenson were sent off in the latter stages.