It is advantage Celtic after another engrossing weekend in the Premiership. A lethargic Celtic overcame Ross County yesterday thanks to a brace from super sub Odsonne Edouard to move five points clear of Rangers.
Rangers, who had two games in hand, headed to bottom club Hearts who had been in disarray this season with just two wins in twenty-two matches so far. Despite being unbeaten in three under Daniel Stendel, Hearts hadn’t beaten Rangers in three years and it looked as if it was the same old story when Ryan Kent gave the Ibrox side the lead after the restart.
Hearts, who had been the better team, hadn’t created many openings despite Liam Boyce’s first half strike being correctly ruled offside. With Kent striking straight after the restart, Hearts could’ve let Rangers capitalise on their advantage by overcommitting in attack but debutant Liam Boyce proved to be the difference in Gorgie.
Boyce tee’d up Steven Naismith to bring the Jambos back on level terms and the Northern Irishman, who signed from Burton Albion yesterday, settled the game with a strike after 83 minutes.
Celtic will now travel to St Johnstone knowing that they have a 5 point cushion over Rangers, albeit still with a game in hand.
A huge boost for Celtic’s Nine in a Row quest, especially with the Scottish Champions about to undergo a strenuous away game schedule over the next few weeks.
Daniel Stendel has shown to Neil Lennon that there is a way to play against Rangers and the performance of the Jambos – direct in attack – mirrored the approach used in the win at Ibrox in September.
