Celtic 1 - 0 Rangers: All change at top as Joe Ledley puts Celtic at head of affairs

NINE in a row, a phrase with deep meaning for both halves of the Old Firm, found renewed resonance for Celtic last night as they completed a remarkable journey from the cusp of crisis to the SPL summit.

Fifteen points adrift of Rangers two months ago and entering territory which seriously threatened Neil Lennon’s position as manager, they have now racked up nine consecutive league victories to claim a two-point lead over their great rivals.

Joe Ledley’s goal seven minutes into the second half proved the difference between the sides in a contest which as absorbing as the gusty weather allowed. Celtic deserved all three points on the strength of a powerful display after the interval but Rangers will wonder what might have been had Lee Wallace’s early header been ruled to have crossed the line during their enterprising start to the match.

History offers clear and recent evidence that the winners of this fixture do not necessarily go on to win the title. There is little doubt, however, that Celtic have gathered momentum and confidence at a pivotal stage, leaving the reigning champions as the team who have most questions to answer in the coming weeks and months.

Rangers had arrived in the east end of the city viewed by many as a team with their backs to the wall but McCoist’s team selection was bolder than most would have predicted. Sone Aluko’s inclusion was an indication that the visitors would not simply be content to try to preserve the one-point lead they brought into the contest.

They came contentiously close to seizing the early initiative courtesy of some inventive work from Aluko on the right. The winger evaded Ledley to deliver a cross which found its way to Lee Wallace at the back post. presenting him with a free header. His close-range effort struck Fraser Forster’s right-hand post before the Celtic goalkeeper clawed the ball away to safety. Television replays later suggested Forster’s intervention may have come just after it had crossed the line.

Celtic responded smartly and their first sniff of goal fell to Georgios Samaras whose shot was blocked by Kyle Bartley, the on-loan Arsenal defender preferred in central defence to veteran club captain David Weir.

The home side, with Samaras and James Forrest in advanced roles to support central striker Gary Hooper, produced the first attempt on target in the 16th minute. Forrest’s cross from the left was nodded down by Samaras into the path of Scott Brown but the Celtic captain’s low shot had neither the necessary power or direction.

Rangers keeper Allan McGregor then could only spill a Hooper shot into the path of Samaras but the Greek was flagged offside before he netted.

Celtic gradually secured a degree of territorial dominance, but Rangers remained threatening on the counter attack. Nikica Jelavic was providing plenty of work for Celtic’s latest central defensive pairing of Thomas Rogne and Charlie Mulgrew.

The Croatian fizzed a shot over the bar then found space to head a corner into the path of Carlos Bocanegra who scuffed a shot wide.

Celtic were finding it difficult to find space behind a well drilled Rangers defence with additional protection from holding midfielder Lee McCulloch whose participation was the source of so much controversy.

Hooper produced another effort which McGregor could not hold 10 minutes before the interval and Kirk Broadfoot stepped in to clear the danger for Rangers.

The first half ended on a note of discord as far as Celtic were concerned, referee Willie Collum blowing his whistle just as Samaras looked set to sprint clear.

Celtic lifted the tempo significantly at the start of the second half, placing Rangers under a sustained spell of pressure which led to Ledley making the breakthrough.

Bartley made a magnificently-timed penalty box tackle to deny Samaras a shooting chance. Forrest then cut in from the left once more and unleashed a rising shot from around 20 yards which McGregor did well to touch over.

Mulgrew whipped the resulting corner over from the right with his left foot, the Rangers defence left helpless as Ledley met the ball with a firm close range header.

Celtic tried to turn the screw on an increasingly embattled Rangers side. Brown should have done better than blaze a shot over from the edge of the penalty area as the home team set up camp in their opponents’ half.

Referee Collum managed to negotiate his way to the 60th minute before producing his first yellow card, Bocanegra the recipient for a foul on Hooper which summed up the sense of desperation which had crept into the Rangers ranks.

Mulgrew came close to doubling Celtic’s lead when his well struck free-kick was kept out by McGregor’s diving save low to the goalkeeper’s right.

McCoist made his first change in the 67th minute, replacing Aluko with Gregg Wylde and his side did produce a response, creating a couple of half chances for Jelavic which he acrobatically directed off target.

Rangers introduced Maurice Edu and David Healy for the closing stages. It was a rare appearance for veteran Northern Ireland striker Healy but his only contribution was a reckless foul on Forrest which might have earned him greater punishment than the yellow card which Collum deemed sufficient.