2005-11-19: Celtic 3-0 Rangers, SPL

McLeish, who has been told his position will be reviewed by the club next month, saw his side battle gamely for the first 45 minutes.

However, the visitors seldom threatened the Celtic defence and faded completely once a second goal had been conceded.

Celtic did not hit any great heights but coped easily with whatever their opponents could muster and always enjoyed a more creative edge.

A typically frantic opening saw both defences make a number of nervous mistakes but neither goalkeeper was called into action.

Rangers striker Francis Jeffers was given an early glimpse of goal but his shot from the edge of the penalty area flew high and wide.

The visitors were then punished for some slack play when Hartson netted his 101st goal for Celtic. Alan Hutton's poor cross-field pass was cut out by Shunsuke Nakamura, who found Maloney in space on the right.

The Scotland youngster delivered a swift low cross into the centre of the penalty box and Hartson swept the ball home with ease.

Rangers passed up a great chance to level soon after when Hamed Namouchi headed a Barry Ferguson cross wide from seven yards out.

Ferguson then broke free of the home defence but goalkeeper Artur Boruc did well to gather the ball at the Rangers skipper's feet.

Rangers were claiming for a penalty early in the second half when the ball struck the arm of Celtic defender Paul Telfer.

The home side survived the weak appeal and doubled their lead a few minutes later.

Nakamura turned and twisted before whipping in a great cross for Balde to steer a header beyond Ronald Waterreus, who was preferred to Stefan Klos in the Rangers' goal.

The Dutch keeper was beaten again on the hour and he appeared to be at fault.

A delivery from Stilian Petrov was met by McGeady and the youngster's side foot finish from 10 yards crept under the outstretched hands of Waterreus.

To make matters worse for the defending champions, Prso limped off with a hamstring injury and must now be a doubt for the midweek trip to Porto.

Jeffers managed to squeeze a low shot on target but it was straight at Boruc, while the 'keeper also kept out a Fernando Ricksen free-kick as Rangers made it six games without a win.

Celtic : Boruc, Telfer, Camara, Balde, McManus, Petrov, Lennon, Nakamura (Agathe 76), McGeady, Maloney (Thompson 57), Hartson. Subs Not Used : Marshall, Virgo, Lawson, Varga, Wallace.
Booked : Nakamura, McManus. Goals : Hartson 12, Balde 56, McGeady 61.
Rangers : Waterreus, Ricksen, Andrews, Kyrgiakos, Hutton (Lovenkrands 53), Hemdani, Ferguson, Murray, Namouchi, Jeffers, Prso (Thompson 66). Subs Not Used : Klos, Alex Rae, Pierre-Fanfan, Burke, McCormack.
Booked : Andrews, Namouchi.
Att: 58,997
Ref : D McDonald