Source: FOOTYMAD
That will do nicely
Neil Lennon sees off Walter Smith again Gary Hooper grabbed a double and Kris Commons got the third as Celtic strengthened their grasp on the top of the SPL with a comfortable 3-0 win over Rangers to move eight points clear of their Old Firm rivals. No matter what the result of Rangers two games in hand Celtic will stay top of the tableNikica Jelavic was drafted straight back into the Rangers team as the lone striker after being ineligible for Thursday night's Europa League tie against Sporting Lisbon. Steven Naismith returned from injury and Kyle Bartley also started, with Kyle Lafferty, Vladimir Weiss and Richard Foster dropping out of the side. Neil Lennon made do with just the one change from their win over Dundee United as Anthony Stokes was replaced by Georgios Samaras, who scored a double at Ibrox in January. Not mush of a surprise to hear that El-Hadji Diouf was jeered every time he touched the ball. But it was Bartley who picked up the first booking after just three minutes for a challenge on Scott Brown. Celtic scored their first after just 17 minutes when Commons supplied the pass for Hooper and he beat David Weir for pace before rifling past Allan McGregor. Jelavic tried to pull a goal back quickly but could only look on in frustration as he hooked well over the crossbar. Celtic increased their lead after 28 minutes when Hooper claimed his second of the day. Samaras started the move by releasing Emilio Izaguirre out on the left and he whipped a great ball to the feet of Hooper who slid in to stab the ball home. Referee Iain Brines produced his yellow card again as Diouf and Beram Kayal were both cautioned in the aftermath of the celebrations. Naismith appeared to be struggling and was replaced by Lafferty at the break. Rangers tried to haul themselves back into the game and Jelavic nodded just wide from a Steven Davis cross. But only last gasp defending prevented them from falling further behind when Sasa Papac cleared Brown's header off the line. At the other end, Diouf tried to lob Fraser Forster but the Hoops goalkeeper was up to the challenge. Celtic made a change of their own when Kayal was swapped for Ki Sung-yeung, before Madjid Bougherra was booked for dissent. Diouf was withdrawn with just over 20 minutes to go to the delight of the Celtic fans as Rangers threw David Healy into the action in search of a goal. But there was no way back for the Scottish champions when Celtic scored their third after 70 minutes. Hooper had been impressive and turned provider for Commons who sent a swerving effort past McGregor into the back of the net. The Rangers goalkeeper then did well to block a ferocious strike from Ki but by then the damage was well and truly done.Celtic: Forster, Izaguirre, Majstorovic, Wilson, Mulgrew, Brown, Ledley, Baram Kayal (Ki Sung-Yeung 60), Samaras, Commons (Forrest 82), Hooper (Stokes 85) Subs not used: Zaluska, Juarez, Rogne, McCourtYellow cards: Baram KayalGoals: Hooper (two) Commons.Rangers: McGregor, Weir, Papac, Whittaker, Bartley, Bougherra, Edu, Davis, Naismith (Lafferty 46), Diouf (Healy 68), Jelavic Subs not used: Alexander, Foster, Weiss, Fleck, Hutton Yellow cards: Weir, Bartley, Bougherra, Lafferty, Diouf Referee: Brines
