Rangers survived a spirited second-half display by hosts St Mirren to record an important Scottish Premier League victory in Paisley.

Kris Boyd opened the scoring after 12 minutes, slamming the ball into the net at the end of a superb passing move.

Maurice Edu headed his first Rangers goal seven minutes later from a corner.

Andy Dorman pulled one back for St Mirren 11 minutes into the second half and Rangers had to defend stoutly to ensure victory.

The result means Rangers remain three points behind SPL leaders Celtic, while St Mirren are still second-bottom, three points above Falkirk.

Both sides had injury scares in the opening minutes with Rangers’ DaMarcus Beasley and St Mirren’s Gary Mason requiring treatment for head knocks.

Beasley, a surprise inclusion for the visitors, hit the deck again after being caught by the outstretched foot of John Potter and the American briefly left the field before playing a part in the opening goal.

The winger combined with Pedro Mendes to release Sasa Papac on the left and the Bosnian’s crisp cutback was despatched into the net by Boyd.

Nacho Novo was then introduced as a substitute for the limping Beasley.

Rangers missed an excellent chance to double their tally in the 17th minute when goalkeeper Mark Howard flapped Madjid Bougherra’s cross and Novo laid the ball back to Boyd, who dragged his shot wide of the gaping goal.

But it was not long until the visitors found the net again as Mendes’ inswinging corner was bulleted past Howard by Edu.

A late challenge by St Mirren’s Craig Dargo on Papac led to another enforced substitution for Rangers, with Christian Dailly introduced from the bench.

St Mirren began to pressurise Rangers with a series of corners, but some stubborn defending frustrated the hosts before Boyd’s header from a Steven Davis cross was held by Howard shortly before the interval.

Boyd claimed for a penalty early in the second half after his header appeared to strike the arm of Potter before Dargo’s dipping volley was collected by keeper Neil Alexander.

Another incisive Mendes pass set Boyd through on goal and the striker’s first-team shot was claimed by Howard at the second attempt.

The Buddies halved Rangers’ lead when Dorman latched on to Dargo’s weighted pass and side-footed into the net via Alexander’s left-hand post.

That goal revitalised St Mirren and Rangers found themselves under increasing pressure from set plays.

Novo could have relieved the pressure on his team-mates when he raced on to Boyd’s through ball, but the Spaniard’s low drive was powerfully blocked by the advancing Howard.

St Mirren continued to be the more enterprising side but could not unlock the Rangers back four in the closing stages.

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St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson: 
“If you give a team with the strength of Rangers a two-goal start, it’s always going to be an uphill task.

 

“But we made a go of it in the second half and I was proud of the players.

“In the past, we’ve collapsed after losing early goals, but we played with urgency and a good tempo.”

Rangers manager Walter Smith: 
“We managed to get ourselves 2-0 in front and then missed out on a win against Hearts the other week and I felt we were going to do that again.

“But fortunately we managed to hold on after a terrific first half of the match.

“St Mirren became very direct in the second half, they played the ball forward really early and got plenty of players up behind it. That increased the tempo.

“They had a lot of territorial pressure in the first 20-25 minutes of the second half and managed to get the one goal, which was actually an error from ourselves.

“We’re delighted to get three points. When we look at the last two games that we’ve had, Falkirk and St Mirren are both fighting relegation, so they’re not going to be easy teams to play against and I think we’re the first team to win at the new St Mirren Park.

“We just have to keep winning, that will be the main thing in the end.”

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St Mirren: Howard, Ross, Potter (Haining 90), Cuthbert, Camara, Thomson, Dorman, Mason (Hamilton 85), McGinn, Dargo, Mehmet. 
Subs Not Used: Mathers, Brady, Barron, McAusland, Quinn.

 

Booked: Camara, Ross.

Goals: Dorman 56.

Rangers: Alexander, Whittaker, Bougherra, Weir, Papac (Dailly 36), Davis, Edu, Mendes, Naismith, Boyd, Beasley (Novo 15), Novo (Velicka 90). 
Subs Not Used: Graeme Smith, Niguez, Lennon, Fleck.

Booked: Bougherra, Boyd.

Goals: Boyd 12, Edu 19.

Att: 6,231

Ref: E Smith

Trophy holders Rangers eased into the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup with a comfortable victory over Hamilton.

Steven Whittaker opened the scoring with a fine run and shot, only for Rocco Quinn’s strike to level matters.

Kyle Lafferty slotted in a cool, close-range finish and Aaron Niguez converted a retaken penalty before half-time.

Steve Davis evaded a number of weak challenges before picking his spot with aplomb and Lafferty finished off a neat passing move for the fifth goal.

The Ibrox side turned in a dominant display after their surprise midweek defeat to Inverness and their cause was aided by a series of injuries picked up by the visitors, who played out most of the second half with 10 men.

Rangers made a menacing start, with striker Kenny Miller looking sprightly, while Hamilton were forced into an early change as full-back Brian Easton limped off after eight minutes.

The visitors were still readjusting their formation when they fell behind to an outstanding solo goal from Whittaker.

The former Hibs defender cut in from the right flank and danced past two challenges before drilling a low shot in at Cerny’s near post.

Hamilton had shown little attacking intent but found themselves level on 26 minutes, when Gers keeper Allan McGregor failed to collect a cross from James McCarthy in a congested penalty box and Quinn drove the loose ball into the net from 14 yards.

However, the Accies joy was short-lived and Rangers restored their lead nine minutes later.

Whittaker whipped in a cross which was deftly knocked into the path of Lafferty by Miller and the Northern Ireland striker showed a fine touch to round Cerny and slot home.

Hamilton had to reshuffle once again as Mark McLaughlin was forced out of the action with a head knock and replaced by Chris Swailes, who immediately conceded a penalty by chopping Miller down.

Aaron stepped up and saw his effort blocked by Cerny but referee Iain Brines ordered the penalty to be retaken on the advice of the linesman watching the goal-line and the Spaniard converted his second attempt from the spot.

Hamilton used their third and final substitute at the interval; forward Derek Lyle replacing defender David Elebert.

But any chance of a dramatic comeback was quickly snuffed out when Davis waltzed past a number of static opponents to slide a composed finish beyond Cerny.

And there was a further blow for Accies manager Billy Reid, since his team were soon depleted after an injury to striker Richard Offiong.

Rangers were content to knock the ball around in a leisurely manner and were almost caught out by McCarthy but the teenager’s promising thrust from midfield was brought to a halt by David Weir and Madjid Bougherra on the edge of the penalty box.

Quinn squandered a great chance to double his tally, toe-poking a shot on the stretch straight at McGregor and the home keeper was alert to clutch Paul McGowan’s attempted lob from the rebound.

A slick passing move led to Rangers’ fifth goal on 81 minutes, with Barry Ferguson and Whittaker combining expertly to set up Lafferty, who slipped a low shot under Cerny from 10 yards.

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Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist:
“I felt the most important period of the entire game would be the first ten minutes of the second half.

“Thankfully, we got the fourth goal, which effectively killed the game. 

“You’d need to be a cruel man not to feel something for Accies today. They have been a credit to their manager and their coaching staff. I’m sure they’ll bounce back.

“I hope the injuries aren’t long-term and that they can get their boys back. They don’t have the biggest squad in the world. So far in the league campaign they have been fantastic and good luck to them.”I’d like to have seen Aaron Niguez get on the ball a bit more, be a bit quicker.

“I’m delighted for (Steven) Whittaker, I thought he performed well. (Kyle) Lafferty got another two goals and it was good to have Pedro (Mendes) back as well.”

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Hamilton manager Billy Reid:
“It was one of those days, we were never going to win the game – nothing went right from us, right from the off.

 

“We’re under pressure with injuries at the moment, so we were forced into four changes and played with 10 men for the last 30 minutes.

“But I have no complaints. Even with 10 men we tried to get on the ball and pass it.

“It ask the guys to take responsibility, and they do it in abundance.

“But I have to say Rangers deserved to win, it was one of those days when nothing went right for us.”

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Rangers: McGregor, Whittaker, Bougherra (Edu 72), Weir, Papac, Davis, Mendes (McCulloch 61), Ferguson, Niguez, Lafferty, Miller (Boyd 65). Subs Not Used: Alexander, Beasley.

 

Booked: Papac.

Goals: Whittaker 15, Lafferty 35, Niguez 45 pen, Davis 53, Lafferty 81.

Hamilton: Cerny, Elebert (Lyle 46), McLaughlin (Swailes 43), Gibson, Quinn, Mensing, Neil, Easton (Evans 7), McGowan, Offiong, McCarthy. Subs Not Used: Murdoch, Deuchar.

Booked: Swailes.

Goal: Quinn 26.

Att: 27,588

Ref: I Brines

FT: Rangers 3 v 1 Kilmarnock Highlights

Walter Smith’s side recover from a slow start to put Kilmarnock to the sword and reclaim top spot in the SPL ahead of Celtic’s match tomorrow.

90 min: YELLOW CARD – Kilmarnock
Alan Combe picks up the final booking for a rant at the linesman after a challenge from Lafferty that Combe wasn’t happy with.

90 min: Lafferty wins a free kick when Lilley pulls him to the floor. Aaron lays the ball to Bougherra but the defender’s long range effort is well wide of the post.

89 min: Miller gets his chance for a hat trick but delays the shot a little too long and Killie get back to block. Looks like he’ll be settling for another double after all.

87 min: Gibson swings in a cross looking for Kevin Kyle but McGregor rises high to claim it.

86 min: Aaron’s shot from distance is forced behind for another corner, but the set piece comes to nothing as the game ebbs away.

83 min: Mehdi Taouil works an opening for Pascali but McGregor is out sharply to deny the midfielder.

82 min: SUBSTITUTION – Kilmarnock
Willie Gibson replaces Garry Hay.

81 min: Mendes unleashes a shot just after the ref’s whistle for a foul against the home side and his effort grazes the bar with Combe helpless. Wouldn’t have counted but another lovely display of technique from the midfielder.

80 min: Kyle Lafferty gets his first opportunity as Mendes sends him through with a slide rule pass, but Lilley produces a fantastic tackle to deny the Ulsterman.

76 min: SUBSTITUTION - Rangers
Kris Boyd makes way for Kyle Lafferty.

75 min: Papac tries his luck from 25 yards but his effort is too high. He obviously has a taste for goals after a couple in February already. 

72 min: Davis and Mendes combine to give the latter a chance at goal but his shot, with the outside of his right boot, is well blocked. Kyle Lafferty is preparing to enter the action.

71 min: SUBSTITUTION – Kilmarnock
Mehdi Taouil replaces Gavin Skelton.

70 min: Miller breaks down the right and swings a low ball to the far post that is just out of reach of Steven Davis.

68 min: SUBSTITUTION – Rangers
Aaron replaces John Fleck with both players getting a great reception from the home crowd.

67 min: YELLOW CARD – Kilmarnock
Gavin Skelton is booked for a lunge at Pedro Mendes in the middle of the park.

65 min: A ripple of applause goes across the Main Stand as Aaron is called back from his warm up to prepare to enter the game. A popular figure after his first goal for the club in Forfar on Wednesday night.

64 min: Madjid Bougherra fancies himself as a bit of a right winger as he dries to dance past Manuel Pascali before the Killie man forces the ball out, dumping the big Algerian to the turf in the process. The home crowd enjoyed that from the popular defender though.

63 min: Mendes cuts in from the left flank and fires a vicious low shot toward the near post that Combe bats behind for a corner. Great effort from the Portuguese.

60 min: Sasa Papac’s shot ricochets to Barry Ferguson but the Rangers captain is dispossessed by Gavin Skelton before he can get a shot away.

57 min: The lively Hamill sprints on to a Kevin Kyle flick on but his shot is too high to trouble McGregor. The Killie No.23 has been in impressive form today.

55 min: Bougherra bursts forward again but his floated cross it too close to Alan Combe.

54 min: Goalscorer Hamill tries his luck from distance but McGregor is more than equal to it. Gers break and Davis makes the most of Garry Hay’s error to feed Miller but the striker loses possession in the box.

52 min: Kevin Kyle catches Kirk Broadfoot late, but the defender his helped to his feet by the Killie forward and doesn’t seem too bothered by the challenge.

50 min: Today’s double for Miller is his fourth for Rangers this season after braces against Celtic, Hibs and Forfar. His eleven goal haul is finished with three single strikes, but still no hat-trick. Will he get the chance today?

47 min: The visitors break well on the left and when the ball scoops up off Madjid Bougherra the crowd give Broadfoot a shout to leave it to McGregor who gathers comfortably.

46 min: Killie get the game back under way. No changes for either side yet, although Rangers are a little late in coming out. Perhaps Walter Smith wasn’t too happy with his side’s start to the match.

HT: Rangers 3 v 1 Kilmarnock
A half time scoreline that nobody would have predicted after a quiet opening 10 minutes. Good response to losing a poor goal from Walter Smith’s side.

43 min: Fleck can’t quite pull a high ball out of the air to break free on the left as David Lilley gets out to intercept him on the half way line.

39 min: Gers almost profit again from the resulting set piece as Ford prods the ball off the line to stop a fourth goal in 10 minutes for the home side.

38 min: Papac is clearly enjoying his more attacking role from left back as he thinks about a volley from distance before pulling the ball down and weaving in to box to earn another corner.

34 min: GOAL – Rangers 3 v 1 Kilmarnock
Miller doesn’t wait too long to get his 11th of the season and fourth in four days, latching on to Mendes’ pass and firing past Combe with a powerful left foot effort.

33 min: GOAL – Rangers 2 v 1 Kilmarnock
Kenny Miller muscles his way past Frazer Wright to fire the home side in to the lead with his 10th of the season.

30 min: Sasa Papac somehow manages to head over from just under the bar as Gers almost turn the game on its head inside a minute.

29 min: GOAL – Rangers 1 v 1 Kilmarnock
Who said 13 is an unlucky number? Kris Boyd is in the right place at the right time again to grab his 13th against Killie. He fires home Madjid Bougherra’s header down from Mendes’ corner.

28 min: Brighter from Rangers as Fleck sprints down the left and forces a corner when his cross is turned behind with Miller lurking.

24 min: Kille almost get free again but Craig Bryson is flagged offside on the left side for the visitors.

22 min: YELLOW CARD – Rangers
Kris Boyd goes down on the edge of the area after a challenge from Ford. Referee Brian Winter isn’t impressed and books the striker for a dive.

21 min: The last time Killie visited Ibrox they took a similarly early lead that they protected until a Kris Boyd penalty turned the tide in Rangers’ favour. Will the former Killie man be the one to rescue Gers again this time?

19 min: Davis tries to pick out Boyd in the centre, but his cross drifts over the striker and out for a goal kick.

16 min: GOAL – Rangers 0 v 1 Kilmarnock
From nowhere Garry Hay gets free on the Killie left and rolls a perfect ball across the face of goal to give Jamie Hamill the easiest of finishes for the opening goal.

14 min: Papac breaks clear on the left but chooses to cut back on to his right foot and his cross is cut out.

13 min: Gers break well but Kirk Broadfoot’s final ball is poor. It eventually breaks back to Davis but he’s caught offside as he looks to latch on to a quick one-two.

12 min: Rangers are enjoying the bulk of possession in the Kilmarnock half but have yet to really open up the visiting defence. When Killie do win the ball the home defence are dealing with it comfortably.

10 min: Papac picks out the run of Miller and the striker’s first touch is good but Ford does well to come across and clear for a throw in.

7 min: Sasa Papac wins a free kick just inside the Killie half and picks out Pedro Mendes with the set piece. The Portuguese slides a pass to Boyd but the forward’s effort is comfortably taken by Combe.

6 min: Jamie Hamill has the visitors’ first effort on goal but his shot flies high over Allan McGregor’s goal.

5 min: Boyd does well to hold the ball up and lay it off to Steven Davis, who finds Kirk Broadfoot sprinting down the right. The big defenders cross is early and low but Alan Combe gathers it easily.

3 min: Kris Boyd gets his first shot on target. The Gers No.9 is seeking his 13th goal against his old club this afternoon. His shot was enough to lift a strangely muted Ibrox.

2 min: Kenny Miller – who looked back to his old self in Forfar on Wednesday – chases down a long ball from Fleck and forces Simon Ford in to an error. Nobody in support of the front man though.

0 min: Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller get the game started for Rangers.

TEAMS

Rangers: McGregor; Broadfoot, Bougherra, Weir, Papac; Davis, Ferguson, Mendes, Fleck; Miller, Boyd.
Subs: Alexander, Edu, Naismith, Dailly, Lafferty, Whiitaker, Aaron.

Kilmarnock: Combe; Lilley, Ford, Wright, Hay; Murray, Pascali, Bryson, Skelton, Hamill; Kyle.
Subs: Rascle, Taouil, Gibson, O’Leary, Flannigan, Sammon, Anson.

FT – Forfar 0-4 Rangers. It’s all over and it was really comfortable for Rangers in the end on what was a decent night overall. Injuries to McCulloch and Beasley soured a good win which saw Aaron score his first for the club and Kenny Miller grab a much-needed brace.

89 mins – GOAL! Miller grabs his second of the night with a well-worked goal. Aaron plays a short corner to Davis and he clips to Lafferty at the back post. He then heads down and Miller nods in from two yards. That’s 4-0 to Rangers now and they’ll meet Hamilton in the quarter-finals.

87 mins - Forfar make their last change as the fans start heading for the exits. Gordon is replaced by Barry Donnachie. Referee Smith flashes another yellow at home substitute McGuigan.

86 mins - The on-loan Valencia winger’s confidence is soaring as he tries to hit the target from fully 40 yards with a free kick. The effort only gets as far as the wall but it’s great to Aaron taking responsibility.

84 mins – GOAL! Spaniard Aaron gets his first goal for the club as he bursts clear to latch on to Lafferty’s pass and slots past Brown. The youngster relishes the moment and rips his shirt off in delight, earning a booking as a result.

83 mins - Aaron, having just been pushed in the face, is really getting at Forfar and cuts in from the left wing once more. This time, however, his shot trundles into Brown’s arms.

81 mins - Rangers try to break clear from defence and Miller finds himself with only Brown to beat but his lob isn’t quite high enough and the keeper grabs the ball gratefully.

80 mins - Aaron makes a positive cross-field run and feeds Naismith, whose effort hits the target but is well held by Brown. It’s a decent opportunity.

78 mins - Naismith tries to make his mark with a flashing header after Bougherra’s cross but the ball goes past everyone and goes out for a goal kick. Seconds later, McCulloch limps off with an injury and Steven Davis replaces him for the final few minutes.

74 mins - Forfar make a double substitution as they try to keep the score down. Off go Brady and Winter, with Martin Fotheringham and Mark McGuigan coming on.

69 mins - It’s a straight red card for Elliot Smith as he makes a really bad challenge on Beasley. He appears to have gone in with two feet and Gers doctor Paul Jackson needs to come on and give the American treatment. Spanish winger Aaron comes on in Beasley’s place to make his second competitive appearance for the club.

64 mins - Rangers make their first change as Boyd makes way for Kyle Lafferty. This is another chance for the Northern Ireland star up front after his lone cameo in attack against Celtic at the weekend.

58 mins - Papac goes into the book after a late foul on Gordon and it’s a chance for Forfar to get the ball into the box from the free kick but they don’t take it.

53 mins – GOAL! Miller strikes for the first time in two months as he takes advantage of a poor defensive clearance. Edu dummies and it seems the chance is gone but the ball is only scrambled away to Miller, who takes one touch then sends a half-volley into the net. At 2-0, it seems there’s no way back for Forfar now.

52 mins - Beasley has a go himself after getting more joy on the right but Brown stands up well to it and smothers at the second attempt.

50 mins - Boyd thinks he has made it 2-0 but it’s despair as assistant referee Terry Brunton flags him offside after a good touch from Beasley.

49 mins - Madjid Bougherra gives away a free kick 30 yards out but fortunately for him, Stephen McNally almost boots the ball out of the ground.

46 mins - The game gets underway again and Rangers stick with the same team that started the match, although Naismith and Beasley have switched flanks.

HT – Forfar 0-1 Rangers. It’s Gers who lead by a single goal at the halfway point and there’s little doubt they deserve to be in front. They’ve dominated most of the game so far and home keeper Brown has undoubtedly played his part in keeping the score down.

42 mins - Poor miss from Boyd. Papac lifts into the box at the second attempt and the 23-goal forward gets on the end of his cross but he totally miscues and screws wide.

41 mins - Darren Brady is booked for a late foul on McCulloch and rightly so. It’s an untidy challenge and he deserves to go in the book.

39 mins - Miller goes so close! He hits the target with a wonderful overhead kick after Boyd’s knockdown but Brown’s save is every bit as good. It was a fantastic effort but the keeper keeps his team in the tie. McCulloch sends the rebound over.

36 mins - Andy Tod nearly makes it 1-1 from a corner – the ball is only cleared as far as the former Dunfermline defender and his shot loops behind for another corner as Whittaker deflects it away. When the ball comes in again, it’s Tod once more who meets it and he heads wide.

34 mins - Gordon slides in on Beasley from behind and it’s a free kick on the left. Naismith puts a deep ball into the area but Brown comes out to claim it with comfort.

29 mins - Good save from Forfar’s Brown. Beasley is the man who stings his hands with a ferocious drive as he seeks his first competitive goal of the season, rifling in from 15 yards, and he’s unlucky to see it blocked.

27 mins - Papac is penalised again, this time for a collision with Campbell. Winter swings it in but Boyd hoofs out of play for a throw 40 yards up the park.

24 mins - Stephen Tulloch receives the first booking of the night as he is punished for a late challenge on DaMarcus Beasley.

22 mins - Mo Edu is caught in possession and although he probably has a case as he appeals for a free kick, it is waved away by referee Eddie Smith and Ross Campbell tries his luck from distance but his shot drifts well away from the frame.

20 mins - As you’d expect, the visitors are dominating and both Miller and Whittaker are on target but each sees his effort blocked by home players.

18 mins - Good interplay involving Miller, Naismith and Boyd gives Rangers a good opportunity to double their lead but Boyd’s header is held by home keeper Alistair Brown.

15 mins - There are sarcastic cheers as one of the portable floodlights brought in for the game goes out. There’s no sign of it coming back on too quickly.

11 mins - Kris Boyd catches sight of goal for the first time as they line up a free kick and Lee McCulloch rolls to him but his drive from 25 yards is charged down.

10 mins - Steven Naismith almost makes it 2-0 with a good move. Miller and Papac link up again on the left and the latter slides low into the box with Naisy lurking. He connects well but a fantastic sliding tackle by Elliot Smith denies him.

7 mins – GOAL! Papac makes up for that mistake with his second goal of the season. Kenny Miller supplies the assist after a jinking run and the Bosnian’s finish is cool, much like his equaliser in the recent friendly with AC Milan.

5 mins - Sasa Papac gives away a free kick in a dangerous area as he shoves Kevin Gordon over. Craig Winter delivers it but his ball poses little threat.

2 mins - The first corner of the night goes Gers’ way after Steven Whittaker’s cross is deflected behjind for a corner. The set piece comes in and is only cleared as far as the full-back, whose half volley from 20 yards goes just past the post.

0 min - Forfar get the game underway with Rangers, captained tonight by David Weir in Barry Ferguson’s absence, shooting towards their own fans.

FORFAR: Brown, McNally, Smith, Winter, Tod, Tulloch, Gordon, Brady, Lilley, Campbell, G Gibson.

Subs: Donnachie, Kilgannon, Fotheringham, McGuigan, J Gibson.

RANGERS: McGregor; Whittaker, Weir, Bougherra, Papac; Naismith, Edu, McCulloch, Beasley; Miller, Boyd.

Subs: Alexander, Dailly, Lafferty, Aaron, Davis.

Referee: Eddie Smith.

FT - It’s full-time and home fans boo as the final whistle blows. In truth, they were fortunate to escape with a point as Rangers were by far the better side in a much better second half and with

 a bit more luck in front of goal, thjey might have won this one. The remain two points off the top of the league but will feel confident of claiming the title going into the final third of the

 campaign.

88 mins - Nakamura goes down under Naismith’s challenge and a soft free kick is given. This is

 a good chance for Celtic 25 yards from goal and the Japanese midfielder lines it up. Mendes is booked as the wall fails to retreat and although McGregor spills the shot, the visitors clear. 

87 mins - With the clock ticking down, it’s Rangers who fancy their chances most but their move forward is nipped in the bud as McCulloch is carded for a late challenge.

85 mins - Brown’s part in the game is over as he fails to recover from the clash with McGregor. Marc Crosas takes his place.

84 mins - Rangers are livid as Ferguson and Bougherra track Samaras, who runs the ball out of play yet sees a corner given. The captain is furious and his reaction earns him a booking.

79 mins - Great save from Boruc as he makes a point-blank stop from David Weir when he heads goalwards from a corner. Things are hotting up a bit now and there’s every chance we’ll have a winner for someone before the end as Celtic look to strike on the break.

76 mins - Naismith gets tangled up with Scott Brown and there appears to be little on the collision but there’s a bit of afters and that leads to yellows for both from Murray.

73 mins - Lafferty, injured a few moments ago, goes down again with a knee injury and comes off. In a straight swap, he is replaced by Steven Naismith.

69 mins - Good chance for Miller to score but after a great backheel from Davis but he sends it well wide. Nevertheless, the Light Blues are definitely on top just now and their change seems to be making more of an impact than the two Celtic have made.

66 mins - Hartley joins Vennegoor of Hesselink in the book for dissent when Murray gives a free kick Gers’ way after Ferguson is fouled in midfield.

65 mins - Murray curiously gives a corner to Celtic when it appears that they put the ball out. Hartley takes it bnut Rangers clear well and hit their opponents on the counter, with Davis only just failing to make the most of Miller’s good run down the right.

62 mins - Celtic are next to make changes, with Georgis Samaras and Aiden McGeady coming on. They replace Vennegoor of Hesselink and Flood.

60 mins - Rangers make their first change of the afternoon, with Fleck coming off after a good shift on the left side. He is replaced by Kenny Miller, the hero here in the last derby at Parkhead back in August.

59 mins - It’s a great knockdown from Lafferty for Ferguson but the ball gets caught under his feet and lifts over the woodwork.

57 mins - Great footwork from Davis gives Lafferty his chance but the angle isn’t great for him and his on-target shot is easily held by Boruc.

55 mins - Rangers are starting to take charge again and are pressing well. They still can’t produce much up front but look fairly comfortable in possession.

51 mins - Bougherra does brilliantly to twist away from two men and when he sends a left-footed cross in from the right, Boruc has to dive to tip a certain McManus own goal behind. Ferguson shoots just wide when the rebound from the corner comes his way 18 yards out.

49 mins - Bougherra is ruled to have fouled McDonald in the left corner when he seemed to put the ball out for a throw. Thnafully the free kick awarded comes to nothing.

47 mins - Hartley tries his luck again and although he’s closer this time, he still can’t hit the target as his half volley screws well past the post.

46 mins - After the teams re-emerge from the tunnel, Celtic get play going again through McDonald and Vennegoor of Hesselink.

HT – Celtic 0-0 Rangers. Referee Murray blows the half-time whistle and it really has been a quiet first 45 minutes. Each side has had a spell of better possession but shots on goal are few and far between and it’s no surprise it remains level. Here’s hoping for an improved second period.

38 mins - Hartley registers the first shot on goal and when it takes 38 minutes to come, that sums up the kind of game we’re seeing. His attempt is typical of the way things have gone so far too - it rises well over the upright.

35 mins - A deep cross comes into the box as Celtic look to make the breakthrough and Allan McGregor claims well. After gathering, Vennegoor of Hesselink goes in on the keeper and is cautioned for the infringement.

33 mins - Good play from both Davis and Fleck sees the ball end up with Broadfoot on the right. Hinkel chests his cross away and despite Boruc’s acrobatic dive, it gives Rangers their first corner but they waste it.

28 mins - Fleck is a little over-eager going into the tackle and brings Flood down in the right corner. Nakamura smacks the resulting free kick straight into the youngster and earns a corner but Rangers manage to clear it. Celtic are starting to enjoy more of the ball.

27 mins - Madjid Bougherra tries to take matters into his own hands with one of those runs from defence he’s quickly becoming known for. This time, however, his cross in from the right sails well over.

24 mins - Ferguson and Mendes combine to intercept a Paul Hartley pass but then give the ball away again and that sums up the way the game is going at the moment. Gers’ bright spell has passed and it’s a bit scrappy for both teams now.

21 mins - The same applies to Lee McCulloch, who is fortunate to escape a yellow card when he trips Lee Naylor. It’s only a matter of time now before the book comes out.

20 mins - Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink clashes with Sasa Papac and after a couple of fouls earlier, earns a word from referee Calum Murray for his troubles. It seems one more of them might lead to a booking.

15 mins - Celtic miss a great chance to take the lead. Shunsuke Nakamura comes forward with purpose and feeds Willo Flood on the right. He gets clear of Fleck and crosses to Scott McDonald, who gets a touch on the ball a couple of yards out but somehow glances wide.

13 mins - Both sides have settled down a bit now and Rangers are starting to come into the game a bit more, enjoying plenty of possession but not yet catching sight of Boruc’s frame.

7 mins - Scott Brown chops down Steven Davis in the central channel and is lucky to get away without a booking. The free kick comes to nothing as Brown himself clears and it remains 0-0. Rangers have made a decent start and look composed.

3 mins - John Fleck catches sight of the ball for the first time and crosses. Although Artur Boruc flaps, his defence is able to keep the ball away from the goal.

0 min - Rangers get the game underway through Barry Ferguson and Pedro Mendes and are shooting from towards the Celtic end of the ground.

CELTIC: Boruc; Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor; Flood, S Brown, Hartley, Nakamura; McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Subs: M Brown, McGeady, Samaras, Loovens, O’Dea, Croasas, Hutchinson.

RANGERS: McGregor; Broadfoot, Weir, Bougherra, Papac; McCulloch; Davis, Mendes, Ferguson, Fleck; Lafferty.

Subs: Alexander, Naismith, Edu, Whittaker, Miller, Boyd, Aaron .

Referee: Calum Murray.