Callum McGregor’s own goal helps Rangers to 19-point lead over Celtic

It seems odd to point towards January defining moments in a title race where, even before kick-off in this Old Firm game, Rangers held a 16-point lead. Still, victory for Steven Gerrard’s team here – assisted in no small part by the sending off of Nir Bitton – surely eliminates any lingering Celtic hope of a 10th title in a row. Celtic hold three games in hand but they need snookers now; or, more specifically, an unlikely Rangers implosion.

Celtic were the better team before Bitton’s moment of rashness, which arrived just after the hour mark. With the hitherto ineffectual Alfredo Morelos running to chase a long ball, just outside the angle of the penalty area, the Israeli hauled him to the ground. Neil Lennon and his Celtic players offered little complaint as Bobby Madden issued a red card. It was hard to avoid the sense that, there and then, Celtic’s dreams of title retention had been dashed.

Celtic’s Nir Bitton walks past Rangers manager Steven Gerrard (right) after being sent off. Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PA

Rangers seized impetus from then on, albeit there was fortune attached to their goal. An inswinging James Tavernier corner was given the slightest of touches by Joe Aribo before Callum McGregor, the Celtic midfielder, watched the ball fly off his shoulder and into the net.

In the first half Celtic had been dominant. Allan McGregor saved from Odsonne Edouard and, superbly, Leigh Griffiths. McGregor and Griffiths shot wide before Bitton missed the target with a free header from David Turnbull’s corner. Celtic looked every inch the team who had to win this game but there is danger associated with not taking opportunity.

The second period had been more even before Bitton’s aberration. Leon Balogun excellently blocked from Edouard after Morelos in the only real clear chance prior to the sending off. In its aftermath, the game swung completely in Rangers’ favour. Their defence, as has conceded just five league goals all season, never looked likely to be breached, even with Shane Duffy utilised as an auxiliary Celtic forward. Gerrard has one hand and four fingers on the league trophy.