30/04 - 20:00
30/04 - 20:00
Rabbi Matondo's vital super strike in stoppage time meant that the points were shared in a dramatic and chaotic Old Firm derby.
Celtic took the lead within just seconds at Ibrox in bizarre fashion. Daizen Maeda was putting pressure on James Tavernier, whose attempted pass bounced off Maeda with sufficient pace that it went past Jack Butland to give the visitors a dream start.
The visitors started the game well and doubled their advantage from the penalty spot with just over a half hour gone after a handball from Connor Goldson as Rangers were defending a corner.
Matt O'Riley was as cool as you like with the penalty, sending his effort down the middle as Butland dived to his left.
Rangers did improve after that and eventually got back into the game with a penalty of their own early in the second half.
Alistair Johnston was judged to have fouled Fábio Silva after the Portuguese forward had initially been booked for diving. Referee John Beaton changed his mind after looking at the incident again, meaning that Tavernier just had to beat Joe Hart to put his side back in the game.
As you would expect, Tavernier dispatched an excellent penalty into the top right corner that no goalkeeper would have a chance of saving.
Rangers then thought they had drawn level just moments later when Cyriel Dessers eventually finished off Silva's cross. The goal was disallowed though after VAR intervened again to show that Tom Lawrence had fouled Reo Hatate in the build-up.
Then there was plenty of late drama in what had already been a thrilling game.
It was 2-2 in the 86th minute when Matondo's shot was blocked into the path of Abdallah Sima whose effort was deflected and found its way into the net.
But that lead lasted just seconds as Adam Idah managed to somehow get a shot off in the box that Butland couldn't get to, making it 3-2 to Celtic in the 88th minute.
It looked like Celtic were on for a decisive win in the Scottish Premiership up until a piece of magic from Matondo in stoppage time as he jinked in the area and then lashed an effort with his right foot into the roof of the goal to grab an all-important point for his side.
That amazing draw means that Rangers remain just a point behind Rangers but still have that all-important game in hand.
⚡️ @rabbi_matondopic.twitter.com/sgVrGIWtrM
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) April 7, 2024
3-3 | ||
James Tavernier 55' (pen.) Abdallah Sima 86' Rabbi Matondo 90' | Daizen Maeda 1' Matt O’Riley 34' (pen.) Adam Idah 87' |
