Rangers vs Celtic: Ryan Jack's goal hands Brendan Rodgers first Old Firm derby defeat
Re-live the action from the Ibrox
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Brendan Rodgers’ Old Firm dominance as Celtic manager came to an end when Ryan Jack scored the only goal of the game to take Rangers level on points with their rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
The former Liverpool manager has won 10 and drawn two of his 12 Old Firm derbies since joining Celtic, but Rangers’ long wait for a victory came to an end with a deserved victory at Ibrox.
After 30 minutes of dominance and missed opportunities, Jack converted Ryan Kent’s low cross to give Steven Gerrard’s side a deserved lead.
Celtic, backed by just 700 travelling supporters, failed to seriously test Allan McGregor in the Rangers goal and struggled to contain the home side’s surging attacks. Re-live the action below:
Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Rangers vs Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
Brendan Rodgers' Hoops top the table with a game in hand over their arch rivals and can extend their lead with a win at Ibrox today. Steven Gerrard's men need all three points to close the gap
We will have all the latest updates here. Team news coming up shortly.
The team news is in...
Rangers: McGregor Tavernier Goldson Worrall Halliday Jack Arfield McCrorie Kent Candeias Morelos
Celtic: Gordon Lustig Boyata Benkovic McGregor Brown Ntcham Forrest Sinclair Christie Johnston
Steven Gerrard has called on his Rangers players to give him one last push as they look to end 2018 on a high against Celtic.
"We have to bring our 'A' game. We're playing against a good team who'll be well-drilled. We know that we have to bring our best to get the result we want.
"I'm confident the players can do that. It's the last fixture, there's 90 minutes to go empty it for and give everything you've got.
"Let's see where it takes us.
"We've certainly got respect for the opposition but what a fantastic opportunity for the players to go try to get the result we need."
Brendan Rodgers has told Rangers that restricting the size of the Celtic support may not be an advantage in today's clash.
The Hoops will have just 750 fans backing them today after the Govan club cut the traditional 7,000 away allocation for derby games.
He said: "My feeling always is that it is better in both grounds whenever both sets of supporters are there.
"However, they are not. There will be about 750 of our supporters there.
"We hope the whole game can pass safely and there's no issues around that and it is just the football.
"But it can work for and against you as the home team in that situation, when you have predominately the support in the ground.
"It can add something to the players either a positive or a negative.
"But we just have to approach the game as we always do with our own way of working, respect Rangers are a good team, some very good results this year.
"We will give them the respect that they deserve, as we do every team and look to focus on our own game, look to play well and get a win."
The state of play
Celtic lead the Scottish Premiership with 42 points, although their time at the top of the league has been limited this season, while Steven Gerrard's Rangers trail them on 39, however Celtic have a game in hand.
But all that goes out of the window when it comes to the Old Firm bragging rights, right?
Remembrance
John Greig, MBE, pays respect to the supporters who tragically lost their lives at the Ibrox Disaster in 1971. Peter Lawwell, Chief Executive of Celtic also paid his respects.
Last time
These sides met in September at Celtic Park and the home side were victorious in a narrow game, beating Rangers 1-0. Something like the 4-0 or 5-0 matches last season would be grand, thanks.
Will Rodgers stay unbeaten?
Brendan Rodgers is certainly fulfilling one part of his job criteria at Celtic
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