Late equalisers from Abdallah Sima and Rabbi Matondo have secured a thrilling comeback for Rangers as they held Celtic to a 3-3 draw in Scotland’s ‘Old Firm’ derby.
The shared points mean Rangers now have 74 from 31 matches in the Scottish Premiership, just a point behind champions Celtic, who have played a game more.
Celtic, who were managed to a runaway title win by Ange Postecoglou last season before the Australian’s move to Tottenham, took the lead 21 seconds into Sunday’s contest.
James Tavernier was too slow to react to a long ball and Daizen Maeda ran up from behind him to finish from the edge of the box. Matt O’Riley then doubled Celtic’s lead from the penalty spot in the 34th minute.
Rangers struck back 10 minutes after the restart when Fabio Silva went down in the Celtic box, leading to a penalty which Tavernier fired into the top-left corner.
Although the hosts equalised in the 86th minute through Sima, Rangers led again 71 seconds later when Adam Idah found the net.
But substitute Matondo got Rangers even again in the 93rd minute, bringing the Ibrox Stadium back alive.
“I just thought, cut in and have a shot,” Matondo told Sky Sports. “It felt amazing. It was great to see it hit the back of the net. We’ll take the point for now.”
Brendan Rodgers, Postecoglou’s successor as Celtic boss, said he was disappointed not to win, but praised his team’s quality and heart as they had to travel to Ibrox without their fans due to a ticketing dispute between the two clubs,.
“It was impressive to come here with no supporters, to show that mentality,” he told BBC Scotland.
“You were never going to win anything today but take the title race in the right direction. There’s still a lot to play for… we are in a really good position.”
