Lead Down To One After Defeat At Ibrox

Rangers 2 Celtic 1

Despite a second-half comeback by the Bhoys, Celtic were unable to overturn an early two goal deficit at Ibrox on Sunday morning, leaving them just one point clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

Tony Mowbray surprised Celtic fans with the team selection for this Old Firm derby, choosing to give new-signing Zheng Zhi his debut and starting Lee Naylor for the first time this season.

There were also surprises for the home fans, who saw Northern Ireland international Andrew Little make his first start at right-back and Sasa Papac and David Weir teamed up in central defense with both of the regular starters down with the flu.

Both teams got the game off to a fast start, with Celtic having the best of the early chances, Scott McDonald and Shaun Maloney both testing the Rangers' defense early; but it would be Rangers who would get on the scoreboard first.

In just the eighth minute, Kris Boyd poked the ball through the center of Celtic's defense and Kenny Miller had an easy chance to slot it past a now-helpless Artur Boruc.

There was a good shout for a penalty for the Hoops when David Weir took out Maloney inside the box, but the referee Craig Thomson waved play on. Rangers had their second a few minutes later when Miller got onto the end of a long pass from McGregor, bullied Loovens and fired the shot past a reaching Boruc who, though he got a hand to the ball was unable to stop it from going into the goal.

Celtic were awared a penalty when Papac took down Zheng Zhi and McGeady made no mistake on his shot, bring Celtic back to within one.

Despite intense pressure from the visitors in the second half though, Rangers were able to hold on for the victory.

On Monday, referee Craig Thomson admitted that he made a mistake by not awarding the penalty in the twelth minute, though such an admission after the fact does not alter the result on the field.

The loss at Ibrox ended a dismal week for Hoops fans who saw their team only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Rapid Vienna in the Europa League, a result that leaves them trailing in third place in their group.

Again, the visitors scored early, Nikica Jelavic taking advantage of defensive errors in the third minute to send the Austrians ahead.

Scott McDonald scored the equalizer in the 21st minute, jumping on a poor pass from the visitors and slotting the ball into the far corner.

Unhappy with the defending in both games, manager Tony Mowbray on Sunday said, "Today we gave Rangers a two-goal start and they were goals that they didn't really have to do anything for.

"Long punts down the middle, allowing the ball to bounce - you could've driven a bus through the gaps.

"It's frustrating and disappointing because, generally, I thought we were the team that controlled the match.

"But people are only interested in the result today and I congratulate Rangers for getting the three points."