Celtic build a firm lead over Rangers

Celtic take a massive stride towards winning the Scottish Premier League for the fourth successive season when they beat their Glasgow rivals Rangers 1-0.

GLASGOW // Celtic took a massive stride towards winning the Scottish Premier League for the fourth successive season when they beat their Glasgow rivals Rangers 1-0 at Ibrox to extend their lead to seven points. The Australian striker Scott McDonald grabbed the goal after 58 minutes when he turned sharply and blasted in a fierce shot. Earlier, the Celtic keeper Artur Boruc had kept his team in it with a good save from Kris Boyd when the striker was through.

Overall, it was a disappointing match, partly due to difficult conditions on a slippery pitch in freezing conditions. The result leaves Celtic on 50 points, seven clear of Rangers, with Dundee United a distant third on 31 points. *Reuters

Updated: December 27, 2008, 12:00 AM