A McGeady-less Celtic Fall To Second After Loss To 'Gers

Rangers 1 Celtic 0

Celtic fell into second place in the Scottish Premier League, two points behind Rangers, with a one-nil loss at Ibrox thanks to Steven Davis' first-half goal.

The game started at a vigorous pace, neither team seeming to feel the heat of this potential derby decider.

Celtic were disciplined, Nakamura, Pedro Mendes and Vennegoor of Hesselink all taking it upon themselves to assist in defense when required, but none of them were able to stop Kenny Miller and Davis from hooking up close to goal for the winning goal in the 37th minute.

Miller had taken the ball all the way down the field and then cut it back across the six-yard box, leaving Davis to beat Shaun Maloney and fire the ball past a helpless Artur Boruc.

Davis then stopped a potential equaliser by clearing Vennegoor of Hesselink's goalward ball from the line just before half-time.

While Celtic were by far the better team in the second-half, David Weir and Bougherra were steady and solid at the back and Rangers took all the points in a game that could determine the Championship this season.

After the game, manager Gordon Strachan was criticised for leaving Aiden McGeady on the bench, starting Shaun Maloney for the first time since he was injured in December.

Responding to the criticism, Strachan said that he had no regrets, "None whatsoever," and insisted that, "That [was] the best we've played against Rangers in the league this season."

Instead, he looked forward to the match against Dundee United on Tuesday, saying, "If we handle the pressure against United the same way as we did on Saturday - in terms of playing, commitment, drive, pride, imagination, variation in play - then I won't have a problem.

"It will all be down to scoring goals then."

Defender Gary Caldwell has been selected as the Scottish Football Writers' Player of the Year.

Caldwell has impressed the Parkhead faithful this season and promised he could be even better: "I think I can still improve. I feel as fit as I've ever felt."

"They do say that, nearer to 30, as a centre-back, the experience you've gained over the years can help you."