Showing posts with label Scottish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scottish. Show all posts

Sunday, 17 April 2011

Scottish Cup: Aberdeen 0 Celtic 4

Celtic remain in the hunt for a domestic double after thrashing 10-man Aberdeen 4-0 in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup on Sunday.

Aberdeen had looked the livelier of the two sides from the opening whistle, but their momentum was shattered by a red card to Andrew Considine in the 18th minute.

The Dons defender tripped up Gary Hooper as he stole into the area on Scott Brown’s pass, earning himself a dismissal at Pittodrie for the second successive time against Celtic.

Anthony Stokes took the penalty kick but failed to beat goalkeeper Jamie Langfield, though it mattered little to the end result as an unbalanced Aberdeen came unstuck in the second half.

Former Dons defedner Charlie Mulgrew started the rot with an expertly taken free kick four minutes from the restart, unleashing a skidding drive that skipped through the wall and past a diving Langfield.

Aberdeen had a goal ruled out for offside eight minutes later, and within seconds Celtic were up the other end extending their lead through Wales midfielder Joe Ledley, who turned Stokes’ cross past Langfield from inside the box.

Stokes was again involved six minutes later, cut down on the run by Derek Young for a second penalty that was taken and converted by Kris Commons.

And there was still time for one more as substitute attacker Shaun Maloney, brought on for Ledley in the 70th minute, had the simple task of finishing off another whipped-in cross by captain Scott Brown six minutes from injury-time.

Celtic, who are one point behind leaders Rangers on the Scottish Premier League table, can wrap up the second leg of a potential domestic double when they take on Motherwell in the final on May 21.

Motherwell defeated St Johnstone 3-0 in Saturday’s semi-final.

Sun 17 April, 2011

Scottish Cup: Aberdeen 0 Celtic 4

Celtic remain in the hunt for a domestic double after thrashing 10-man Aberdeen 4-0 in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup on Sunday.

Aberdeen had looked the livelier of the two sides from the opening whistle, but their momentum was shattered by a red card to Andrew Considine in the 18th minute.

The Dons defender tripped up Gary Hooper as he stole into the area on Scott Brown’s pass, earning himself a dismissal at Pittodrie for the second successive time against Celtic.

Anthony Stokes took the penalty kick but failed to beat goalkeeper Jamie Langfield, though it mattered little to the end result as an unbalanced Aberdeen came unstuck in the second half.

Former Dons defedner Charlie Mulgrew started the rot with an expertly taken free kick four minutes from the restart, unleashing a skidding drive that skipped through the wall and past a diving Langfield.

Aberdeen had a goal ruled out for offside eight minutes later, and within seconds Celtic were up the other end extending their lead through Wales midfielder Joe Ledley, who turned Stokes’ cross past Langfield from inside the box.

Stokes was again involved six minutes later, cut down on the run by Derek Young for a second penalty that was taken and converted by Kris Commons.

And there was still time for one more as substitute attacker Shaun Maloney, brought on for Ledley in the 70th minute, had the simple task of finishing off another whipped-in cross by captain Scott Brown six minutes from injury-time.

Celtic, who are one point behind leaders Rangers on the Scottish Premier League table, can wrap up the second leg of a potential domestic double when they take on Motherwell in the final on May 21.

Motherwell defeated St Johnstone 3-0 in Saturday’s semi-final.

Sun 17 April, 2011

Wednesday, 13 April 2011

Scottish Premier League: St. Johnstone 0 Celtic 1

Celtic moved five points clear atop the Scottish Premier League table after a hard-fought 1-0 win over St. Johnstone on Tuesday.

A goal on the stroke of half-time from Israeli Baram Kayal – his first for the club – was enough to send the Hoops further clear of rivals Rangers.

Just when it looked like the hosts at McDiarmid Park would make it to the break on level terms, Kayal got on the end of some scrappy play to place home what proved to be the winner.

Scott Brown also struck the crossbar late on for Celtic while substitute Shaun Moloney was denied by a late save from Graeme Smith.

St. Johnstone finished the clash with 10 men when 51st minute substitute Chris Millar limped off with an injury after his side had exhausted their three substitutions.

Celtic have won four on the trot in the league while St. Johnstone are winless in the competition since February 2.

Tue 12 April, 2011

Scottish Premier League: St. Johnstone 0 Celtic 1

Celtic moved five points clear atop the Scottish Premier League table after a hard-fought 1-0 win over St. Johnstone on Tuesday.

A goal on the stroke of half-time from Israeli Baram Kayal – his first for the club – was enough to send the Hoops further clear of rivals Rangers.

Just when it looked like the hosts at McDiarmid Park would make it to the break on level terms, Kayal got on the end of some scrappy play to place home what proved to be the winner.

Scott Brown also struck the crossbar late on for Celtic while substitute Shaun Moloney was denied by a late save from Graeme Smith.

St. Johnstone finished the clash with 10 men when 51st minute substitute Chris Millar limped off with an injury after his side had exhausted their three substitutions.

Celtic have won four on the trot in the league while St. Johnstone are winless in the competition since February 2.

Tue 12 April, 2011

Thursday, 31 March 2011

Scottish FA demand apology

The Scottish Football Association have asked for an apology from their Brazilian counterparts over allegations of racism from Scottish fans.

Brazilian starlet Neymar, who scored both goals in his country’s 2-0 friendly win over the Scots at London’s Emirates Stadium on Sunday, claimed he was racially abused by Scottish supporters during the match.

Neymar was jeered repeatedly by Scotland fans and a banana was thrown onto the playing arena.

But earlier this week it was revealed that the banana was in fact thrown by a teenage German tourist sitting with Brazilian supporters.

With no Scottish supporters found to have been involved in the incident, SFA chief executive Stewart Regan has written to the Brazilian Football Federation to request an apology after the character of Scottish football fans had been called into question.

“It is very disappointing that this episode threatened to overshadow an entertaining match, played amidst a real carnival atmosphere created by supporters of both teams,” Regan said.

“Scotland and Brazil have played many times over the years, each time in a colourful and friendly environment, and we feel that it’s necessary to draw a line under Sunday’s events.”

“Scotland’s supporters were genuinely upset and annoyed that the unfounded allegations levelled against them threatened to sully their reputation as fair, good-humoured and respectful spectators.”

“As the matter has been resolved, and Scotland supporters cleared of any involvement, we felt it was only right that we acted on behalf of our supporters to request an apology either from the player involved, or the Brazilian FA.”

Thu 31 March, 2011

Monday, 21 March 2011

Celtic v Rangers Highlights 2011 Scottish League Cup Final March 20

Mar 20, 2011

Celtic v Rangers 2011

Scottish League Cup Final 2011- Hampden Park, Glasgow- 20/3/11- March 20, 2011.

Final score:- Celtic v Rangers 1-2 ( Joe Ledley/ Steven Davis, Nikica Jelavic)

An extra time winner from Nikica Jelavic allows Rangers to beat Celtic 2-1 in the final of the 2011 Scottish League Cup. Celtic ended the fixture with ten men following a red card to Emilio Izaguirre in extra time.

Celtic v Rangers 0-1 ( Steven Davis goal vs Celtic)

Celtic v Rangers 1-1 ( Joe Ledley goal v Rangers)

Celtic v Rangers 1-2 ( Nikica Jelavic goal vs Celtic)

( Credits of this Celtic v Rangers 2011 Scottish Cup Final Highlights with uploaders)

Sunday, 13 March 2011

Scottish Cup Semi Final Draw 2011 Result

Mar 13, 2011

The 2011 Scottish Cup Semi final draw will be made on Monday, 14 March, 2011 around 1 pm UK time.

The Scottish Cup semifinal draw 2011 will be conducted at the Inverclyde National Sports Training Centre.

Teams involved in the draw for the 2010/11 Scottish Cup semifinal:-

Brechin City/ St.Johnstone
Aberdeen/St.Mirren
Motherwell/Dundee United
Celtic/ Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Friday, 4 March 2011

Comment on Celtic and Rangers let down Scottish football by mick dee

SoccerNews.comHomeSoccer StatsLive ScoresTransfer NewsEditorialBettingTicketsFootball ShirtsHomeArchivesAdvertiseWrite for UsAboutContactCommunityTop LeaguesEnglish Premier LeagueEnglish ChampionshipLa LigaSerie ABundesligaLigue 1EredivisieScottish Premier LeagueMLSWorld CupInternational CupsUEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Europa LeagueEuropean ChampionshipWorld Cup Select your teamArsenalAston VillaBirmingham CityBlackburn RoversBlackpoolBolton WanderersChelseaEvertonFulhamLiverpoolManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedStoke CitySunderlandTottenham HotspurWest Bromwich AlbionWest Ham UnitedWigan AthleticWolverhampton WanderersBarnsleyBristol CityBurnleyCardiff CityCoventry CityCrystal PalaceDerby CountyDoncaster RoversHull CityIpswich TownLeeds UnitedLeicester CityMiddlesbroughMillwallNorwich CityNottingham ForestPortsmouthPreston North EndQueens Park RangersReadingScunthorpe UnitedSheffield UnitedSwansea CityWatfordAlmeriaAthletic BilbaoAtletico MadridBarcelonaDeportivo La CorunaEspanyolGetafeHerculesLevanteMallorcaMalagaOsasunaRacing SantanderReal MadridReal SociedadReal ZaragozaSevillaSporting GijonValenciaVillarrealBariBolognaBresciaCagliariCataniaCesenaChievoFiorentinaGenoaInternazionaleJuventusLazioLecceMilanNapoliPalermoParmaRomaSampdoriaUdineseBayer LeverkusenBayern MunchenBorussia DortmundBorussia M'gladbachEintracht FrankfurtFreiburgHamburger SVHannover 96HoffenheimKaiserslauternKolnMainz 05NurnbergSchalke 04St. PauliStuttgartWerder BremenWolfsburgArlesAuxerreBordeauxBrestCaenLensLilleLorientMonacoMontpellierNancyNiceOlympique LyonOlympique MarseillePSGSaint-EtienneSochauxStade RennesToulouseValenciennesADO Den HaagAjaxAZDe GraafschapExcelsiorFeyenoordGroningenHeerenveenHeraclesNAC BredaNECPSVRoda JCTwenteUtrechtVitesseVVV VenloWillem IIAberdeenCelticDundee UnitedHamilton AcademicalsHeart of MidlothianHibernianInverness CTKilmarnockMotherwellRangersSt. JohnstoneSt. MirrenJoin usFollow usFriday 4 March, 2011

Comment on Celtic and Rangers let down Scottish football by johnr59

SoccerNews.comHomeSoccer StatsLive ScoresTransfer NewsEditorialBettingTicketsFootball ShirtsHomeArchivesAdvertiseWrite for UsAboutContactCommunityTop LeaguesEnglish Premier LeagueEnglish ChampionshipLa LigaSerie ABundesligaLigue 1EredivisieScottish Premier LeagueMLSWorld CupInternational CupsUEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Europa LeagueEuropean ChampionshipWorld Cup Select your teamArsenalAston VillaBirmingham CityBlackburn RoversBlackpoolBolton WanderersChelseaEvertonFulhamLiverpoolManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedStoke CitySunderlandTottenham HotspurWest Bromwich AlbionWest Ham UnitedWigan AthleticWolverhampton WanderersBarnsleyBristol CityBurnleyCardiff CityCoventry CityCrystal PalaceDerby CountyDoncaster RoversHull CityIpswich TownLeeds UnitedLeicester CityMiddlesbroughMillwallNorwich CityNottingham ForestPortsmouthPreston North EndQueens Park RangersReadingScunthorpe UnitedSheffield UnitedSwansea CityWatfordAlmeriaAthletic BilbaoAtletico MadridBarcelonaDeportivo La CorunaEspanyolGetafeHerculesLevanteMallorcaMalagaOsasunaRacing SantanderReal MadridReal SociedadReal ZaragozaSevillaSporting GijonValenciaVillarrealBariBolognaBresciaCagliariCataniaCesenaChievoFiorentinaGenoaInternazionaleJuventusLazioLecceMilanNapoliPalermoParmaRomaSampdoriaUdineseBayer LeverkusenBayern MunchenBorussia DortmundBorussia M'gladbachEintracht FrankfurtFreiburgHamburger SVHannover 96HoffenheimKaiserslauternKolnMainz 05NurnbergSchalke 04St. PauliStuttgartWerder BremenWolfsburgArlesAuxerreBordeauxBrestCaenLensLilleLorientMonacoMontpellierNancyNiceOlympique LyonOlympique MarseillePSGSaint-EtienneSochauxStade RennesToulouseValenciennesADO Den HaagAjaxAZDe GraafschapExcelsiorFeyenoordGroningenHeerenveenHeraclesNAC BredaNECPSVRoda JCTwenteUtrechtVitesseVVV VenloWillem IIAberdeenCelticDundee UnitedHamilton AcademicalsHeart of MidlothianHibernianInverness CTKilmarnockMotherwellRangersSt. JohnstoneSt. MirrenJoin usFollow usFriday 4 March, 2011

Comment on Celtic and Rangers let down Scottish football by bry

SoccerNews.comHomeSoccer StatsLive ScoresTransfer NewsEditorialBettingTicketsFootball ShirtsHomeArchivesAdvertiseWrite for UsAboutContactCommunityTop LeaguesEnglish Premier LeagueEnglish ChampionshipLa LigaSerie ABundesligaLigue 1EredivisieScottish Premier LeagueMLSWorld CupInternational CupsUEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Europa LeagueEuropean ChampionshipWorld Cup Select your teamArsenalAston VillaBirmingham CityBlackburn RoversBlackpoolBolton WanderersChelseaEvertonFulhamLiverpoolManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedStoke CitySunderlandTottenham HotspurWest Bromwich AlbionWest Ham UnitedWigan AthleticWolverhampton WanderersBarnsleyBristol CityBurnleyCardiff CityCoventry CityCrystal PalaceDerby CountyDoncaster RoversHull CityIpswich TownLeeds UnitedLeicester CityMiddlesbroughMillwallNorwich CityNottingham ForestPortsmouthPreston North EndQueens Park RangersReadingScunthorpe UnitedSheffield UnitedSwansea CityWatfordAlmeriaAthletic BilbaoAtletico MadridBarcelonaDeportivo La CorunaEspanyolGetafeHerculesLevanteMallorcaMalagaOsasunaRacing SantanderReal MadridReal SociedadReal ZaragozaSevillaSporting GijonValenciaVillarrealBariBolognaBresciaCagliariCataniaCesenaChievoFiorentinaGenoaInternazionaleJuventusLazioLecceMilanNapoliPalermoParmaRomaSampdoriaUdineseBayer LeverkusenBayern MunchenBorussia DortmundBorussia M'gladbachEintracht FrankfurtFreiburgHamburger SVHannover 96HoffenheimKaiserslauternKolnMainz 05NurnbergSchalke 04St. PauliStuttgartWerder BremenWolfsburgArlesAuxerreBordeauxBrestCaenLensLilleLorientMonacoMontpellierNancyNiceOlympique LyonOlympique MarseillePSGSaint-EtienneSochauxStade RennesToulouseValenciennesADO Den HaagAjaxAZDe GraafschapExcelsiorFeyenoordGroningenHeerenveenHeraclesNAC BredaNECPSVRoda JCTwenteUtrechtVitesseVVV VenloWillem IIAberdeenCelticDundee UnitedHamilton AcademicalsHeart of MidlothianHibernianInverness CTKilmarnockMotherwellRangersSt. JohnstoneSt. MirrenJoin usFollow usFriday 4 March, 2011

Comment on Celtic and Rangers let down Scottish football by Robbie

SoccerNews.comHomeSoccer StatsLive ScoresTransfer NewsEditorialBettingTicketsFootball ShirtsHomeArchivesAdvertiseWrite for UsAboutContactCommunityTop LeaguesEnglish Premier LeagueEnglish ChampionshipLa LigaSerie ABundesligaLigue 1EredivisieScottish Premier LeagueMLSWorld CupInternational CupsUEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Europa LeagueEuropean ChampionshipWorld Cup Select your teamArsenalAston VillaBirmingham CityBlackburn RoversBlackpoolBolton WanderersChelseaEvertonFulhamLiverpoolManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedStoke CitySunderlandTottenham HotspurWest Bromwich AlbionWest Ham UnitedWigan AthleticWolverhampton WanderersBarnsleyBristol CityBurnleyCardiff CityCoventry CityCrystal PalaceDerby CountyDoncaster RoversHull CityIpswich TownLeeds UnitedLeicester CityMiddlesbroughMillwallNorwich CityNottingham ForestPortsmouthPreston North EndQueens Park RangersReadingScunthorpe UnitedSheffield UnitedSwansea CityWatfordAlmeriaAthletic BilbaoAtletico MadridBarcelonaDeportivo La CorunaEspanyolGetafeHerculesLevanteMallorcaMalagaOsasunaRacing SantanderReal MadridReal SociedadReal ZaragozaSevillaSporting GijonValenciaVillarrealBariBolognaBresciaCagliariCataniaCesenaChievoFiorentinaGenoaInternazionaleJuventusLazioLecceMilanNapoliPalermoParmaRomaSampdoriaUdineseBayer LeverkusenBayern MunchenBorussia DortmundBorussia M'gladbachEintracht FrankfurtFreiburgHamburger SVHannover 96HoffenheimKaiserslauternKolnMainz 05NurnbergSchalke 04St. PauliStuttgartWerder BremenWolfsburgArlesAuxerreBordeauxBrestCaenLensLilleLorientMonacoMontpellierNancyNiceOlympique LyonOlympique MarseillePSGSaint-EtienneSochauxStade RennesToulouseValenciennesADO Den HaagAjaxAZDe GraafschapExcelsiorFeyenoordGroningenHeerenveenHeraclesNAC BredaNECPSVRoda JCTwenteUtrechtVitesseVVV VenloWillem IIAberdeenCelticDundee UnitedHamilton AcademicalsHeart of MidlothianHibernianInverness CTKilmarnockMotherwellRangersSt. JohnstoneSt. MirrenJoin usFollow usFriday 4 March, 2011

Thursday, 24 February 2011

Scottish Premier League: Motherwell 0 St Mirren 1

St Mirren provided one of the upsets of the Scottish Premier League season when they beat Motherwell away 1-0 on Wednesday.

Sitting second-last on the league table, St Mirren stunned fifth-placed Motherwell when substitute Michael Higdon scored in the 82nd minute – within 60 seconds of entering the field.

Former Falkirk striker Higdon’s driving strike bobbled on the Fir Park turf and trickled past Motherwell goalkeeper Darren Randolph.

It was just the strugglers’ third away win of the league season and it moved them eight points clear of cellar-dwellers Hamilton.

St Mirren defender Darren McGregor denied Motherwell striker John Sutton late on, with a desperate block to maintain the visitors’ lead and clean sheet.

Thu 24 February, 2011

Scottish Premier League: Motherwell 0 St Mirren 1

St Mirren provided one of the upsets of the Scottish Premier League season when they beat Motherwell away 1-0 on Wednesday.

Sitting second-last on the league table, St Mirren stunned fifth-placed Motherwell when substitute Michael Higdon scored in the 82nd minute – within 60 seconds of entering the field.

Former Falkirk striker Higdon’s driving strike bobbled on the Fir Park turf and trickled past Motherwell goalkeeper Darren Randolph.

It was just the strugglers’ third away win of the league season and it moved them eight points clear of cellar-dwellers Hamilton.

St Mirren defender Darren McGregor denied Motherwell striker John Sutton late on, with a desperate block to maintain the visitors’ lead and clean sheet.

Thu 24 February, 2011

Wednesday, 23 February 2011

Scottish Premier League wrap: Hamilton´s troubles continue

Hamilton Academical’s Scottish Premier League relegation worries deepened following a 1-0 defeat to Aberdeen on Tuesday.

Christopher Maguire’s penalty in the 30th minute at Pittodrie handed hosts Aberdeen all three points.

Craig Brown’s side remain ninth but are now 15 points clear of bottom side Hamilton, who are five points adrift of second-last St Mirren.

Flavio Paixao sent an early chance for visitors Hamilton harmlessly over the bar, while former Birmingham City trainee Sone Aluko should have put Aberdeen in front on 13 minutes but volleyed wide from the back post.

Striker Mickael Antoine-Curier headed over for the visitors and Dougie Imrie also missed, but Hamilton have not won in the league since October and their odds of ending that abysmal run lengthened considerably when Jim McAlister fouled the lively Aluko inside the box.

Striker Maguire – on penalty duty in place of the benched Paul Hartley – converted the spot kick for his ninth goal of the season.

The unmarked Alexander Diamond should have made it 2-0 when he headed wide from Aluko’s corner on 43 minutes.

Soon after the restart Maguire disposed defender Martin Canning and played in Robert Milsom, but the midfielder put his shot just wide of the post.

Hamilton spurned a glorious opportunity to equalise on 50 minutes when Imrie shot straight at goalkeeper Jamie Langfield rather than passing to Antoine-Curier.

Maguire should have put the result beyond doubt when he took possession after a mistake from Irishman David Elebert, but despite missing the resulting chance Aberdeen saw off a late effort from Imrie to hang on for the win.

In Tuesday’s other match, St Johnston played out a 0-0 draw against visitors Dundee United at McDiarmid Park.

Dundee United remain seventh after the draw, with St Johnstone a place behind in eighth.

They are level on 30 points, but St Johnstone have played two matches more.

Wed 23 February, 2011

Sunday, 20 February 2011

Celtic 3-0 Rangers: Scottish Premier League Highlights (Video)

3 comments by Mad Dog and Glory on February 20th, 2011

Celtic took the spoils from this one sided Old Firm match that takes Neil Lennon’s side eight points clear of Rangers.

Premier League Tickets Available from Tixdaq.com

Sunday, 6 February 2011

Scottish Cup Quarter Final Draw 2011 Result

Feb 6, 2011

The 2011 Scottish Cup quarter final draw was held on 6th February, 2011 at 14.30 GMT after the Old Firm fifth round fixture. The 10/11 Scottish Cup season is the 126th edition of the tournament.

The Scottish Cup quarterfinal draw 2011 contained the eight winners of their respective fifth round ties. Brechin City’s reward for making it to their first ever Scottish Cup quarterfinal is a tie against the winner of the St.Johnstone vs Partick Thistle fifth round game.

Scottish Cup 2010/2011 Quarter Final Draw.

Dundee United vs Motherwell
St Mirren vs Aberdeen/ Dunfermline Athletic
Inverness Caledonian Thistle vs Rangers/ Celtic
Brechin City vs St Johnstone/ Partick Thistle

Rangers vs Celtic 2-2 Highlights Scottish Cup Video

Feb 6, 2011

Rangers vs Celtic Scottish Cup 2011

Ibrox Park, Glasgow- February 6, 2011

Final score:- Rangers vs Celtic 2-2 ( Jamie Ness, Steven Whittaker penalty/Kris Commons, Scott Brown)

Rangers draw 2-2 with Celtic in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup 2011. Both teams had one player sent off each- Forster in the first half for Celtic and Naismith in the second for Rangers. They will now contest a replay to decide who advances to the last eight against Inverness CT.

Rangers vs Celtic 1-0 ( Jamie Ness 3′ goal)

Rangers vs Celtic 1-1 ( Kris Commons goal)

Rangers v Celtic 2-1 ( Whittaker 41′ penalty)

Rangers vs Celtic 2-2 ( S.Brown 65′ goal)

( Credits of this Rangers vs Celtic Scottish Cup 2011 Video with respective uploaders)

Saturday, 22 January 2011

Celtic 1-0 Aberdeen: Scottish Premier League Highlights (Video)

no comments by Mad Dog and Glory on January 22nd, 2011

A goal from Anthony Stokes, his fourth in three games, takes Celtic five points ahead of Rangers at the top of the SPL.

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Wednesday, 19 January 2011

Rangers 1-0 Inverness CT: Scottish Premier League Highlights (Video)

no comments by Mad Dog and Glory on January 18th, 2011

Rangers has Sean Davis to thank for the only goal of the game at Ibrox that saw the home side cut Celtic’s lead at the top of the SPL to two points with Walter Smith’s side still having two games in hand.

Bet on the SPL with Sportingbet.com and get a free bet worth up to

Sunday, 2 January 2011

Scottish Premier League wrap: Celtic get Old Firm revenge

A Georgios Samaras double helped Celtic exact revenge on Old Firm rivals Rangers with a 2-0 win at Ibrox on Sunday.

Two goals within the space of eight second half minutes from the Greek international sealed the win for Celtic and moved them four points clear of their Glasgow neighbours at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

Rangers had won four out of the last six Old Firm derbies, including a 3-1 victory at Celtic Park in October, but it was Neil Lennon’s side who controlled Sunday’s match to take a valuable advantage in the league.

The hosts went closest in the first half when Lee McCulloch’s header was cleared off the line by Emilio Izaguirre via the crossbar after just five minutes.

But there was little else in the way of excitement at either end for the remainder of the half, until Samaras brought the game to life after the restart.

He nearly helped to break the deadlock just seconds into the second half after he released Paddy McCourt with a flicked header, only for the midfielder to push his shot wide of the far post.

But Samaras made no mistake on 62 minutes, beating goalkeeper Allan McGregor to the ball after Joe Ledley’s chipped pass before finishing into the open net to give Celtic the lead.

The Greek then sealed the win in the 70th minute, converting from the penalty spot after he was needlessly felled by Madjid Bougherra as he surged into the area.

Rangers did have a couple of late chances through Sasa Papac and Bougherra, but they left their run too late in what was a lacklustre performance from the Scottish champions.

Elsewhere on Sunday, substitute Collin Samuel scored a late goal as St Johnstone beat Inverness CT 1-0 at McDiarmid Park.

The match looked destined for a 0-0 draw until Samuel, who had only been on the pitch for 12 minutes, bobbed up with five minutes remaining to score the winner for the hosts.

St Johnstone remain in eighth place on the table after the win, while Inverness slip further behind Kilmarnock on goal difference in fifth.

Sun 2 January, 2011