Celtic dominated Rangers 3-1 at Celtic Park to strengthen their grip on second place, with a commanding performance that saw them capitalize on early pressure and control the contest.
Celtic entered the match in strong form, sitting second in the Premiership with 73 points from 35 games. Rangers arrived third with 69 points, just four behind their rivals. Both teams came into this fixture seeking vital points, with Celtic looking to maintain momentum after four consecutive wins.
The home side started brightly and broke the deadlock early. Celtic's opening goal arrived in the 12th minute when they found the back of the net following a well-worked move through midfield. The early strike set the tone for what would become a dominant first-half display.
Celtic doubled their advantage before the break. In the 34th minute, they added a second goal to establish a commanding position. Rangers struggled to find their rhythm in defense, allowing Celtic to dictate play and create multiple chances.
The visitors managed to pull one back before halftime. Rangers scored in the 41st minute to give themselves hope going into the interval. The goal provided some encouragement, but Celtic remained firmly in control with a 2-1 lead at the break.
Celtic's superiority continued after the restart. The home team pressed forward with intent and added a third goal in the 58th minute to effectively seal the victory. The strike put them three goals clear and ended any realistic hopes of a Rangers comeback.
Rangers pushed forward in search of another goal but found Celtic's defense resolute. Despite their efforts, the visitors could not break through again. Celtic managed the closing stages comfortably, seeing out the match without alarm.
Possession remained fairly balanced throughout, but Celtic's clinical finishing proved decisive. The home side converted their chances effectively while Rangers lacked the same cutting edge in attack. Celtic's defensive organization also limited Rangers' opportunities in dangerous areas.
This victory strengthens Celtic's position in the title race. They maintain second place with 76 points from 36 games, keeping pressure on the leaders. Rangers remain third on 69 points, now five points adrift of their rivals.
Celtic's form continues to impress with five wins in their last six matches. Rangers' recent struggles persist, with just two wins in their last five outings. The gap between the teams widened further following this result.
The defeat leaves Rangers with work to do if they hope to close the gap at the top. Celtic, meanwhile, have shown they can perform against their biggest rivals when it matters. The Premiership title race remains competitive, but Celtic's momentum is building at exactly the right moment.
