Rabbi Matondo’s stunning stoppage-time equaliser prevented Celtic extending their Scottish Premiership lead as Rangers came from behind twice late on to draw a six-goal Old Firm classic.
It had looked like Adam Idah’s clinical finish six minutes earlier was going to put Celtic four points clear, the goal coming just 71 seconds after fellow substitute Abdallah Sima’s deflected strike dragged the hosts level from two goals down.
But Matondo completed the scoring in a scarcely-believable eight-minute finale to leave the teams separated by just one point, with Rangers having played one game fewer.
Celtic had cruised into a commanding lead after a sensational first-half display, during which Daizen Maeda scored after 21 seconds when James Tavernier’s clearance crashed off him and fizzed past Jack Butland.
In a VAR-affected contest, Matt O’Riley dinked in a composed penalty – awarded by referee John Beaton after an on-field review showed Connor Goldson had handled – to send the away side into the break two goals ahead.
But Tavernier, who endured a torrid first half, slammed in a spot-kick of his own after Beaton reversed his decision to book Fabio Silva for diving under the challenge of Alistair Johnston.
Cyriel Dessers then thought he had prodded in a leveller a minute later, only for Beaton to rule it out after another visit to the screen for a foul by Tom Lawrence on Tomoki Iwata.
Rangers then huffed and puffed until bedlam ensued in a wild ending – including a bout of pushing and shoving – to leave it as you were at the summit.
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It’s hard to think of a better Old Firm in recent memory.
In the last decade and more, derbies by the time clocks have sprung forward have often held little significance. Not this one.
Time was standing still in Glasgow for a pivotal fixture in the tightest title race between the pair since 2011. By the full-time whistle, heads were spinning.
Billed a must-not-lose for both, pressure was on Rangers to prove they could hurdle the mental barrier of defeating Celtic in a meaningful league encounter.
Not since August 2021 have they managed that, but this point will feel like three given the way the first half went.
A fever-pitch Ibrox was bordering on turning toxic. Rangers were poor; Celtic were sublime and should have been out of sight.
Despite the visitors hitting the back of Butland’s net twice, the Rangers keeper kept his side in the game with England coach Gareth Southgate watching on, denying Maeda before tipping over O’Riley’s header.
At the other end, Goldson ought to have scored with a header of his own and Silva was thwarted twice by Joe Hart. But make no mistake, Rangers were well off it.
The second half was a different story, though. Even despite Dessers’ disallowed goal and Idah’s instant response, Clement’s side still managed to find a way to salvage a point from an absolute classic.
One point remains the margin, good luck to you if you want to predict how it unfolds from here.
Player of the match – Jack Butland (Rangers)
Strap in, folks – analysis
Where do you begin? An Old Firm derby for the ages.
At the break, those Rangers fans were watching a repeat of their most-watched horror movie.
Celtic asserted their derby dominance and were everyone’s safe bet for the title when both sides headed down the tunnel at the interval.
But Clement has instilled a resilient mentality in this Rangers side, which was needed firstly to come from two down, then required again just a minute later when Idah drilled in.
Rangers will reclaim top spot by winning their game in hand at Dundee on Wednesday, so naturally there will still be talk of pendulums swinging and momentum shifting in the aftermath of this one.
But that fixture only highlights the unpredictability of this title race. Strapping yourself in tight may be the best advice.
Rangers manager Philippe Clement: “I don’t know if it was classic, but my boys did something special. It was the worst way to start the game. But we showed our real quality and personality.
“We get a well-deserved point. We are more the winners of the day. Everybody sees this team is totally different from five months ago. It could have been more, but I think the result is also good.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: “We’re disappointed not to win, but to leave here with everything in our hands is what we wanted.
“We’ve played well, showed quality and heart in really tough conditions. There’s still a lot to play for. There’s a long way to go. We’re in a really good position.”
