Kyogo Furuhashi’s late leveller earned Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic a 2-2 draw with bitter rivals Rangers on Monday to maintain their nine-point lead at the top of the table.
The 27-year-old Japanese international’s 15th goal of the campaign ended Rangers’ manager Michael Beale’s perfect record – four wins in his previous four matches – since replacing the sacked Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Celtic took an early lead through Fukushashi’s compatriot Daizen Maeda before Rangers hit back with two quickfire goals early in the second-half.
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou was satisfied with the result in what he termed a “great game of football.”
“We lost control a bit through self-inflicted errors,” said the Australian.”But look the players are human not robots.
“They could have resigned themselves to their fate but, just as they have done in the past year, they did not and never gave up.”
The game was preceded by a minute’s silence being observed for the victims of the 1971 Ibrox Disaster – when 66 fans died in a crush 51 years ago to the day in an Old Firm Derby.
The solemn atmosphere was deepened by Celtic players donning black armbands to honour former star Frank McGarvey, Brazilian legend Pele and former Pope Benedict XVI.
Celtic took less than five minutes to get off the mark with Maeda taking advantage of a sloppy pass by Rangers Alfredo Morelos.
The 25-year-old pounced, brushed off two tackles and shot past Allan McGregor.
