Celtic retaining title all but mathematically confirmed despite Cyriel Dessers goal in Old Firm derby

Rangers are all but out of the title race after a 2-1 defeat suffered at the hands of Celtic at Celtic Park on Saturday afternoon.

With two matches to the end of the 2023-2024 season, the Light Blues are trailing the Hoops by six points and have a lesser goal difference than their bitter rivals. 

The goal difference is seven in favour of Celtic and the Hoops would need to lose both games against Kilmarnock and St. Mirren for Rangers to stand any chance of winning the Scottish Premiership.

All the goals in the Old Firm derby came in the space of five first half minutes, which came to life in the 35th minute when Matt O'Riley fired into the bottom corner, before an own goal from John Lundstram put the hosts in firm control of the contest at minute 38.

Five minutes before halftime, Cyriel Dessers pulled one back with a brilliant header after Dujon Sterling nodded a cross from Borna Barisic back into the danger area.

Despite playing with ten men following the sending off of John Lundstram, Rangers pressed and pressed for an equalizer and a penalty miss from Matt O'Riley even made it nervy, but Celtic's quality paid off at the end. 

Nigeria international Leon Balogun failed a fitness test ahead of the clash against Celtic and was not named in the matchday squad by manager Philippe Clement.

Cyriel Dessers and his Rangers teammates are back in action on Tuesday when they take on Dundee at Ibrox.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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