The Rangers fans in the crowd of 51,000 are doing the bouncy, a mixture of relief and delight. What a sumptuous free-kick by Barry Ferguson!

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Rangers win a free-kick 22 yards from goal, thanks to erratic over-zealous defending by Bobo Balde. That was a crazy challenge on Lorenzo Amoruso. Now his team-mates are under pressure with Neil McCann, Barry Ferguson, Ronald de Boer and others likely to fancy their chances.

Neil McCann and Arthur Numan have such a great understanding down that left flank for Rangers. McCann is clearly the more natural attacker but the Dutchman offers so much to Rangers in those little combinations. Rangers look hungry. They are not beaten yet.

Oh, what a strike by Barry Ferguson! He cracks a thunderous right-footed shot at goal but it rebounds off Rab Douglas's left-hand post. What was Stilian Petrov thinking about there? He meandered out towards Ferguson, allowing him to set up his shot. That's an almighty let-off for Celtic.

Ahead of kick-off Celtic boss Martin O'Neill said: "We have won the most important prize this season - the championship. That's gone, and it's one to savour. But it will be a long summer if we lose. It's as important to us as it is to Rangers." Unless Rangers can produce something special, it's Celtic who will be celebrating a double.

Craig Moore lands his boot into the thigh of Celtic scorer John Hartson. It looks a really painful challenge. To his credit, Hartson gets on with the game. He likes a physical game, does the Aussie defender!

Ronald de Boer, seemingly always aware of the whereabouts of his Rangers team-mates, prods the ball to Peter Lovenkrands on the 18-yard line but the Dane is off balance and his hot comes to nothing. The Celtic fans are making a deafening noise!

Celtic striker John Hartson claims for a penalty but replays show that Netherlands left-back Arthur Numan wasn't at fault. Hartson's feet just went from under him. Rangers move up the park and Barry Ferguson's cross to the far post is met by Lorenzo Amoruso who ought to have done better with his header - it goes wide from six yards.

The Celtic fans are utterly rejoicing and roar their approval all the more when Peter Lovenkrands hoists a volley over the crossbar.

"Rangers have played all the football but Celtic are leading 2-1."

First John Hartson is booked for a bad tackle on Rangers striker Shota Arveladze, then Lorenzo Amoruso goes into the book for a clumsy aerial challenge.

Celtic midfielder Alan Thompson is furious as Fernando Ricksen makes a blatant foul on him as he pushed forward towards the Rangers goal. That should have been a booking. Hugh Dallas thought not.

My, those half-time oranges were downed in no time. We're under way once again at Hampden.

"I think the last 25 minutes after they scored the goal Rangers have really dominated the game. Their movement in midfield has been excellent, their passing has been excellent. I think a lot of that goes down to Paul Lambert not being fully fit and that is something Celtic will have to organise at half time."

It's all to play for in the second half. You get the feeling this could go to extra-time.

Celtic captain Paul Lambert limps off just before the break to be replaced by Jackie McNamara. With the clock ticking to half-time, Bobo Balde threatens the Rangers goal with a powerful header but German goalie Stefan Klos is on to it in a flash.

Blond-haired Neil Lennon leaps to head the inswinging corner from Rangers dynamo Fernando Ricksen. As Rangers turn the screw, the Dutchman has another corner kick but opts to slide it to Barry Ferguson 25 yards from goal rather than direct it into the box - however, his shot is charged down.

We have fewer than five minutes to go until half-time. It's truly on a knife edge!