Rangers 3-3 Celtic: What did we learn in six-goal Old Firm classic?

Six goals, VAR drama, post-match aggro, one epic Old Firm derby.

But even at the end of all the carnage and chaos at Ibrox, it's still as you were at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.

A place and a point separates leaders Celtic and Rangers, who have a game in hand, but did we learn from the madness in Govan?

From one team's response to another's collapse, and what it all means for the title race, BBC Scotland attempts to make sense of a head-spinning spectacle.

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The best & worst of Rangers

For many, the bottom line before this was Rangers needed to win in order to clear the psychological hurdle of beating Celtic when it counts.

But the Ibrox side looked a team struggling to deal with that expectancy, a criticism often thrown at them in recent seasons, which was triggered by the fact the visitors took the lead after just 21 seconds and looked assured thereafter.

In previous campaigns, this Rangers team perhaps would have crumbled, but Philippe Clement has instilled a steely mentality and his side demonstrated that after the break by showing more belief, urgency and intensity.

Eight of their 12 shots came after the break, as did 20 of their 29 touches in the Celtic box in an impressive response.

"It was the worst way to start the game," Clement told BBC Scotland. "But we showed our real quality and personality. We get a well-deserved point. It could have been more, but the result is also good. We're more the winners of the day.

"Everybody sees this team is totally different from five months ago. I think the evolution they've made is quite exceptional.

"They took the message [at half time] in the best way and showed who they really are in the second half."

What caused Celtic collapse?

Given the occasion and opponent, that first-half performance from Celtic is right up there with their best under Brendan Rodgers - and that covers both spells.

Yes, Rangers were way off it, but Rodgers' side were sublime in a cacophony of noise at an Ibrox packed with just home fans.

"We played with a calmness [in the first half] and we were really attacking with and without the ball," Rodgers told BBC Scotland. "We made the crowd really edgy and that's what we wanted."

But what changed? Rodgers pointed to the Rangers penalty, one of three on-field VAR reviews, saying he was "disappointed" in the decision to overturn Fabio Silva's booking for simulation after he was challenged by Alistair Johnston.

VAR calls aside, Rangers' intensity forced Celtic into conceding territory, dropping deeper and ultimately having less of the ball.

Their first-half possession of 48% dropped to 42% in the second period and their passing accuracy also took a dip from 78% to 65%.

Rodgers lost Reo Hatate's energy in the last half hour but sent on captain Callum McGregor in the hope he would help regain control for his side.

But the captain looked a player lacking in match sharpness in his first appearance in more than a month, giving the ball away cheaply just prior to Abdallah Sima's goal.

That said, it so nearly could have been glory for Rodgers and his players but for Rabbi Matondo's stunning stoppage-time equaliser.

What does it mean for title race?

It really is quite difficult to put into words how a game that didn't make a lot of sense will impact the bigger picture.

Rangers didn't get the big, meaningful win they have been craving against their fiercest rivals, but their second-half response surely has to mean something going forward.

A win at Dundee on Wednesday in their game in hand leapfrogs them above Celtic and two points clear with six games left to play.

But, even then, the beauty of the split means this title race is still in the hands of both sides, with one more derby to take place in the east end of the city.

For that reason, it's positive vibes only from both managers.

Rangers are "in the place we want to be," according to Clement, while Rodgers says leaving Ibrox "with everything in our hands is what we wanted".

Scottish football isn't so bad, is it?

Clement said he wasn't entirely sure this one was a classic. We are telling you it was, Philippe.

VAR drama, including the award of both spot kicks and Cyriel Dessers' disallowed equaliser, played a part in the chaos - but to go overboard on officiating would pay a disservice to an epic encounter.

"What a ridiculous game," was the view of former Celtic striker Chris Sutton.

Ex-Rangers forward Kris Boyd chipped in by saying the contest was "unbelievable".

Former Ibrox midfielder Stuart McCall hailed the "intensity, drama and excitement".

Much has been made of the Premiership's standard this season - just ask Derek Adams - but the league's flagship fixture sent a reminder to all that this is a product worth defending in any debate.

Factor in the top-six carnage at Dens Park and Easter Road on Saturday, plus the battle to avoid the drop, it has been a weekend to cherish and there's nothing to suggest the season's finale won't also deliver.

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