'I can't defend Morelos any more' - Gerrard reaction as Celtic beat Rangers

Summary

Kent escapes punishment for pushing Brown to floor
Forrest finds room in box to convert Edouard pass
Both sides down to 10 after Boyata limps off with Celtic already having made three changes
Kent drives into box and skids in equaliser with Rangers' first effort on goal
Rangers' Morelos shown red for off the ball incident
Edouard lashes in opener on counter
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Live Reporting

Colin Moffat

That's all folkspublished at 15:46 British Summer Time 31 March 2019
FT: Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Well, well. That was quite an afternoon, wasn't it? Not a classic in terms of sweet, flowing football but we had drama aplenty, lots of talking points, and all the goals were pretty tasty.
Celtic looked to be cruising at 1-0 up against 10 men after Alfredo Morelos' latest red card but Rangers responded well after the break and deservedly drew level.
Home players were dropping like flies then the champions conjured up a late winner after a mistake from James Tavernier, who had been having a stormer of a second half.
Throw in some fisty-cuffs and you've got the whole Old Firm package...
Remember to tune into Sportscene, BBC Scotland, at 19:15.
I'm off for a lie down. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.
Image source, SNS
Image caption,
Celtic celebrate a second derby win of the season
Watch: Celtic & Rangers players clash after final whistlepublished at 15:41 British Summer Time 31 March 2019
Celtic and Rangers players clash after final whistle following the Parkhead side's 2-1 win in the third Old Firm game of the season.
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Top marks for Edouardpublished at 15:34 British Summer Time 31 March 2019
FT: Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard is your man-of-the-match via the BBC player-rater, just shy of a seven out of 10.
Ryan Kent led the way for Rangers with 5.88.
Tough crowd...
Young Celts can 'light up' the pitchpublished at 15:25 British Summer Time 31 March 2019
FT: Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound
Quote Message
Celtic have at least five players that can light up a game high up the pitch. Rangers don’t have that. Aberdeen don’t have that. Hearts don’t have that. They also have a lot of young players who can go on and pick a pass. That’s because they have lots of money. That’s why Celtic won the game. That’s why they are 13 points in front
Image source, SNS
Image caption,
James Forrest is mobbed by his team-mates after making it 2-1 to Celtic.
Gradual gains for Gerrardpublished at 15:23 British Summer Time 31 March 2019
FT: Celtic 2-1 Rangers
The general consensus is that Rangers have improved in Steven Gerrard's first season but after 31 games the Ibrox side have just two more points than they had at this stage last term.
Image source, SNS
Celtic extend advantage at the toppublished at 15:16 British Summer Time 31 March 2019
Image source, BBC Sport
Here's how the table looks now, with Celtic stretching their lead over their closest rivals.
The race for European places is going to be fascinating since four points cover the teams from third to fifth.
Dundee are now stuck at the bottom with games running out. But there are sure to be a few twists in the relegation struggle.
Celtic lead women's derbypublished at 15:13 British Summer Time 31 March 2019
HT: Rangers Women 0-3 Celtic Women
Andrew Southwick
BBC Scotland at New Tinto Park
It looks like a double for Celtic as they lead the women's Old Firm derby after three goals in the first 18 minutes. Just before the break Rangers had the chance to pull one back, but Clare Gemmell's penalty was saved with Chantelle Brown hitting the rebound off a post.
Josephine Giard, Kelly Clark and Natalie Ross with the Celtic goals.
'Morelos' persecution complex'published at 15:09 British Summer Time 31 March 2019
FT: Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer
Quote Message
Rangers' fans have bought into Morelos persecution complex. Back in September I wrote about his discipline problems and the Rangers fans came after me on Twitter. The little flick that Brown gave him – you just have to laugh that off.
'I can’t defend him anymore'published at 15:06 British Summer Time 31 March 2019
FT: Celtic 2-1 Rangers
A bit more from Steven Gerrard on the first-half red card for Alfredo Morelos...
The frustrated Ibrox boss tells RangersTV: “It’ll be a debate, it’ll be what people talk about, but the reality is if you raise your arm you leave yourself wide open.
"Obviously he’s been provoked in the first place but it’s happened on too many occasions now and I’ve gone above and beyond – I’ve backed Alfredo more than enough and I can’t defend him anymore. He’ll be punished internally for it and we’ll move forward."
Image source, SNS
Image caption,
Alfredo Morelos was sent off for swinging an elbow at Celtic captain Scott Brown
Sportscenepublished at 15:01 British Summer Time 31 March 2019
FT: Celtic 2-1 Rangers
You can catch extended highlights of today's game on Sportscene later. The show starts at 19:15 on the BBC Scotland channel.
There will also be action from the other five top flight matches played across the weekend.
'Celtic just not prepared to be beaten'published at 14:59 British Summer Time 31 March 2019
FT: Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Neil McCann
Former Rangers winger on BBC Sportsound
Quote Message
Celtic always possess that threat and belief in themselves. They’re just not prepared to be beaten. That comes from winning seven titles in a row.
Postpublished at 14:57 British Summer Time 31 March 2019
FT: Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound
Quote Message
The other teams don't have the players that can light games up like Celtic, that's why they are 13 points clear
'Gerrard will expect more'published at 14:54 British Summer Time 31 March 2019
FT: Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Neil McCann
Former Scotland and Rangers winger on BBC Sportsound
Quote Message
I think Joe Worrall looked shaky. He was in bother all the way through the first half. Edouard frightened him. He didn’t look comfortable. When Gerrard sits with Mark Allan and his staff in the cold light of today he will say that he expects more from his players.
Rangers' area of weakness?published at 14:50 British Summer Time 31 March 2019
FT: Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Billy Dodds
Former Rangers striker on Sportsound
Quote Message
Goldson has been Rangers' best defender this season and he's only been okay
'Halliday has the right to protect his own people' - Gerrardpublished at 14:46 British Summer Time 31 March 2019
FT: Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is annoyed that Scott Brown escaped any punishment since the Celtic captain was involved in both red cards for his players as well as an incident with Ryan Kent.
"You're playing against a player who loves to antagonise," he said at his post-match media conference. "Morelos and Kent are both provoked. Celtic fans have the right to celebrate but to do it right in your face, Halliday has the right to protect his own people.
"The guy who antagonised it all from the beginning deserves to be punished as well. When you're provoked, it's only fair that both sides get punished in my view.
"We've hurt ourselves badly this season with a lack of discipline. I've given my players the benefit of the doubt on too many times. Morelos has asked me for a chat, and that will be picked up.
"The gap was already big and it's even bigger now. The buck stops with me and I'm ready for that. We will move forward from this and try to finish the season as strong as we can."
Image source, SNS
Morelos to pay red card finepublished at 14:41 British Summer Time 31 March 2019
FT: Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard says he will fine Alfredo Morelos a weeks' wages for his latest indiscretion.
Celtic 'naive at times' in 'fantastic win'published at 14:37 British Summer Time 31 March 2019
FT: Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Celtic boss Neil Lennon tells BBC Sportsound his team were "naive at times" but stresses his delight with the victory.
"We’ve come away with a fantastic win against a very motivated Rangers side," he says. "I can’t ask for any more from my players.
"Rangers’ goal made everyone a little anxious. We should have been on the front foot but it was all or nothing for them (Rangers) today.
"At 1-0 the game’s always in the balance even against 10 men. We looked a little naive at times but we regalvanised and scored a great goal to win.
"I thought Odsonne Edouard was the best player on the pitch by a country mile."
Image source, BBC Sport
Postpublished at 14:33 British Summer Time 31 March 2019
FT: Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Neil McCann
Former Rangers winger on BBC Sportsound
Quote Message
I don't think anyone needs to protect Scott Brown. He knows how to get under the skin of opponents. He enjoys it, he thrives on it. He clips Morelos and Morelos combusts
'Rangers should have been down to nine'published at 14:30 British Summer Time 31 March 2019
FT: Celtic 2-1 Rangers
"I'm not happy with the treatment Scott Brown got today," Celtic manager Neil Lennon tells BBC Sportsound. "He's been elbowed in the face (by Alfredo Morelos) and he's been punched or pushed in the face by Ryan Kent. Rangers should have been down to nine. It's unacceptable."
'Take the money and run' on Morelospublished at 14:26 British Summer Time 31 March 2019
FT: Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Billy Dodds
Former Rangers striker on Sportsound
Quote Message
I think Rangers have got to cash in on Morelos now. The boy obviously doesn’t listen. If you’re in the Celtic dressing room, you’re saying 'noise him up get I his face and see if he reacts'. You’re not telling me that Steven Gerrard has not said to him 'do not react under any circumstances'. So what do you do? Do you just keep accepting it, or do you take your money and run?