NIKOLA KATIC was the hero for Rangers as they closed the gap on Celtic in an end of year Old Firm showdown.
The Croatian defender linked up with his countryman Borna Barisic to bullet home a header from a corner to take the win.
And it was Gers who started the brighter with Alfredo Morelos being denied on two occasions by Fraser Forster as he searched for his first goal against the Hoops.
Steven Davis was also denied by the big stopper after a loose ball dropped to the Northern Irishman inside the box.
It was almost shades of the Betfred Cup final as the Light Blues failed to take there chances.
And Gers boss Steven Gerrard had his head in his hands moments later as Celts were awarded a penalty on the half hour mark.
Referee Kevin Clancy pointed to the spot after Katic hauled back Christopher Jullien by the shirt in the box.
Ryan Christie took on spot kick duties for Neil Lennon’s side but derby day veteran Allan McGregor pulled off a tardemark diving save.
And just three minutes later Rangers were in front.
Barisic picked out Ryan Kent with a pinpoint cross from the left and the former Liverpool man dispatched with confidence as he guided past Forster.
We told how the winger could have landed himself in hot water after appearing to point an imaginary gun at his head during his celebration.
The incident left some fans angered and others simply baffled at what the Gers ace was intending.
Gers were only in front for the best part of five minutes however as Odsonne Edouard scored in controversial fashion to equalise.
The Frenchman inadvertently diverted a Callum McGregor strike beyond Allan McGregor with his hand to make it level before the break.
After the break Morelos had another chance to break his Old Firm duck, but he diverted a Kent square ball up and over the bar.
But the miss didn’t prove to be decisive as Gers were back in front just five minutes later.
From a Barisic corner Katic rose above his marker Kristoffer Ajer to head past the helpless Forster.
There was late drama as Morelos was flashed a second yellow and red for simulation.
The Colombian striker went down in the box on the break, but he was adjudged to have dived by ref Clancy.
Gerrard’s side ultimately held out for the three points though as they closed the gap to two at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
