Ten-man Celtic extended their lead at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership to nine points after twice coming from a goal down to clinch a thrilling 3-2 win over Rangers at Ibrox.

Josh Windass put Rangers ahead inside three minutes but Tom Rogic levelled with a brilliant solo goal before Daniel Candeias struck in the 26th minute.

Moussa Dembele lobbed an equaliser in first-half stoppage time and Odsonne Edouard came off the bench to score an impressive winner in the 69th minute despite an earlier red card for Hoops defender Jozo Simunovic for an elbow on Alfredo Morelos.

Star man – Scott Bain

Scott Bain produced a heroic Celtic debut
Scott Bain produced a heroic Celtic debut (Jane Barlow/PA)

Scott Bain’s incredible few months continued as he produced a crucial late save from Windass on his Celtic debut to seal the three points. Following an injury to Craig Gordon, Celtic signed the Dundee goalkeeper on loan on the final day of January, ending his brief stay at Hibernian, and he ensured it would be a memorable spell at Parkhead with an assured display. Bain had not played since October 28 after a fall-out with Dens Park boss Neil McCann but he dealt well with the ball at his feet and in the air and made two excellent second-half stops after being exposed for both goals.

Squandered opportunities

Rangers will be cursing themselves after blowing the chance to move three points behind their 10-man rivals and no-one more than Morelos, who missed their best two openings of the second half. The Colombian was foiled by Bain early on before failing to hit the net from four yards with the goalkeeper grounded after a good stop from Windass. The striker – who signed a new contract on Friday – lacked conviction and went with the outside of his right foot only to see the ball rebound into Bain’s arms off the inside of the post in the closing stages.

No case for the defences

Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard found the net d espite the attentions of several Rangers players
Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard found the net despite the attentions of several Rangers players (Jane Barlow/PA)

Neither side impressed at the back, which made for plenty of drama. Dedryck Boyata had a poor afternoon and gifted Windass the opener with a casual display while Simunovic put his team in trouble with a needless swing of his arm. With Russell Martin injured, Fabio Cardoso came on to replace David Bates for Rangers after the young centre-back was carried off with an ankle injury, but he could not get close enough to Dembele or Edouard to stop them netting. Celtic did improve at the back after Jack Hendry came on at right-back and Kristoffer Ajer moved inside.

Ratings

Rangers: Wes Foderingham 6, James Tavernier 6, David Bates 5, Bruno Alves 6, Declan John 7, Daniel Candeias 7, Sean Goss 6, Greg Docherty 6, Jamie Murphy 7, Josh Windass 7, Alfredo Morelos 6. Substitutes: Fabio Cardoso (for Bates, 15) 4, Jason Cummings (for Goss, 74) 5.

Celtic: Scott Bain 8, Kristoffer Ajer 5, Jozo Simunovic 5, Dedryck Boyata 4, Kieran Tierney 7, Scott Brown 7, Olivier Ntcham 7, James Forrest 6, Tom Rogic 7, Callum McGregor 8, Moussa Dembele 7. Substitutes: Jack Hendry (for Rogic, 60) 6, Odsonne Edouard (for Forrest, 67) 7, Stuart Armstrong (for Dembele, 86) 4.

Who’s Up Next?

Rangers v Kilmarnock, Ladbrokes Premiership, March 17

Motherwell v Celtic, Ladbrokes Premiership, March 18.