Scottish Premier League/Rangers - 1 Celtic - 1:Paul Le Guen is entitled to savour what good fortune came his way, just two minutes from the end of an unusually tame Old Firm encounter, despite the fact that Brahim Hemdani's deflected equaliser is likely to prove immaterial to the destination of the Scottish Premier League title come May.
The manager's opening months in Scotland have been plagued by Rangers' poor form, but this was a stirring comeback from his players, who were ultimately unlucky not to defeat a Celtic team who remain 16 points in front of their oldest rivals.
The scale of the jubilation which greeted Hemdani's 20-yard drive, which looped over the stranded Artur Boruc after hitting Thomas Gravesen, was understandable given it was Rangers' first goal in an Old Firm match for almost six games.
It also perhaps provided a grim illustration of just how the aspirations of Rangers players and supporters have fallen in recent times. The issue of the Ibrox club slipping to third in the table, two points behind the second-placed Aberdeen, was apparently irrelevant. "We showed that we can compete with them," said a satisfied Le Guen. "The team is improving; we are becoming more consistent and hard to beat."
No meeting of these sides would be complete without an element of controversy. Seconds after Gravesen opened the scoring with a powerful half-volley after the Rangers defence and goalkeeper misjudged a deep Lee Naylor cross, Celtic were denied an apparently blatant penalty as Steven Smith tripped Neil Lennon.
The referee, Kenny Clark, inexplicably failed to award the spot-kick, described by Lennon as a "stonewaller".
Gordon Strachan's team are yet to be given a penalty on the domestic front this season, an issue not lost on the Celtic manager. "I think if you were to have a debate about that one, it would be a hell of a short debate.
"Even the Rangers fans held their breath for 15 seconds at that point. We have played 19 games now and not had a penalty; that's some going for a team at the top of the league."
Gravesen's strike arrived towards the end of an opening period in which Rangers dominated possession. Celtic toiled to find their rhythm, but their Danish midfielder's goal provided more evidence that the indecisive Rangers defence will undermine much of the good work Le Guen's side do in the final third.
Yet, just as the green and white clad followers were indulging in their latest round of schadenfreude, Hemdani latched on to a partially cleared Ferguson corner before heading straight to the technical area to celebrate with his relieved manager.
Filip Sebo could have won the match for Rangers, but fired straight at Boruc.
Guardian Service
RANGERS: McGregor, Hutton, Hemdani, Svensson, Smith, Sionko (Sebo 71), Ferguson, Clement, Adam (Buffel 81), Prso, Novo. Subs not used: Klos, Papac, Rae, Rodriguez, Stanger. Booked: Sebo.
CELTIC: Boruc, Wilson, Balde, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura (Miller 72), Gravesen, Lennon, McGeady, Jarosik (Pearson 72), Zurawski. Subs not used: Marshall, Telfer, Riordan, Sno, O'Dea. Booked: McGeady, McManus.
Referee: K Clarke (Scotland).
