1999-05-02: Celtic 0-3 Rangers, PA Match Report

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PA Sport:
Celtic 0 Rangers 3

By Ken Gaunt, PA Sport

Rangers clinched the Scottish Premier League title in Dick Advocaat's first season as manager with Neil McCann's two goals proving decisive in a fiery encounter.
The latest Old Firm clash was marred by a series of ugly scenes both on and off the pitch that are certain to be investigated by the Scottish Football Association.
Referee Hugh Dallas and a steward were both struck by objects thrown from the north stand shortly before half-time.
In separate incidents three supporters from that section of the ground were able to encroach onto the playing surface with one person trying to attack Dallas before being restrained.
Dallas needed treatment from paramedics for a gash on his head before continuing, while the steward was cried off on a stretcher.
The crowd had been incensed by some of Dallas' decisions, not least the sending off of Stephane Mahe 13 minutes before the break for his second yellow card.
Celtic eventually finished with nine men as Norwegian Vidar Riseth was dismissed just before the end in similar circumstances for a challenge on Claudio Reyna.
And Rangers ended the game with 10 men with Rod Wallace sent off four minutes from time after tangling with Riseth.

That did not stop Rangers' celebrations after clinching their 48th Scottish League title at the home of their Glasgow rivals and defending champions.
But Rangers did themselves no favours at the end of the match when they went to their 7,500 fans and imitated the Celtic huddle, with the players gathering together in a group.
And as they headed for the tunnel they were pelted with objects by fans infuriated at their celebrations.

Ibrox boss Advocaat invested £40million in the hope of bringing the title back to the club.
But he splashed out only £1.6million for McCann last December and the Scotland winger has proved to be an inspirational buy.
McCann missed Scotland's match in midweek against Germany because of a toe injury but he proved much too nippy for Celtic this evening.

Celtic went into the match on the back of a 5-1 victory against Rangers last November which revived their hopes of a second successive title.
But they were without 10 first-team members against Rangers today and gave a debut to Scott Marshall, on-loan from Arsenal.
It proved too big a task and they were always second best to a Rangers side who have led the table since last autumn.
Rangers took the lead after 12 minutes after a flowing move involving Tony Vidmar, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Wallace and McCann.
Wallace knocked the ball in to McCann in the penalty area and he delivered the clinical finish.
Rangers should have added a second when Jorg Albertz released Vidmar but his cross from the byline was poor and the ball was scrambled away.

Celtic found it hard to get into their rhythm but almost equalised when Mark Viduka played the ball into the path of Morten Wieghorst, who hurried his shot and knocked it wide.
Celtic stepped up the pace and Riseth delivered a good cross into the path of Alan Stubbs only for keeper Stefan Klos to gather the ball safely.

Mahe trudged off apparently in tears after being sent off 13 minutes from the break and the mood of the crowd turned ugly.
But five minutes before the break Albertz showed remarkable coolness to slot home a penalty for his 19th goal of the season.
Riseth seemed to be having difficulty coping with the atmosphere and hauled back Vidmar, leaving referee Dallas with little option but to award a penalty.

Police stepped up security at the start of the second half at the foot of the north stand as Rangers continued to hold the upper hand.
Henrik Larsson and Viduka were getting little change out of the visiting defence, although Celtic almost pulled a goal back through Harald Brattbakk, who got on the end of a pass from Wieghorst only for Klos to parry the ball to safety.

McCann sewed the game up and delivered Rangers' 12th title in 14 years after getting away from Marshall to steer the ball beyond keeper Stewart Kerr.

The match ended in further controversy with first Wallace and then Riseth ordered off.

But Rangers had secured a comfortable victory to book their place in the Champions' League with three matches remaining.