Thomson strike settles Old Firm derby

The midfielder experienced the ecstasy and agony of the famous fixture when he bagged the winner in a pulsating tussle before leaving the pitch on a stretcher late on.

Eight players were booked as Rangers claimed the points which now makes them red-hot favourites for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title.

With arguably more at stake for Celtic, it was the Scottish champions who dominated early on.

Aiden McGeady's pace left Kirk Broadfoot standing as the winger raced down the left flank before delivering a cross onto the head of Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, but the Dutchman squandered the opportunity to give Celtic a dream start by nodding wide at the near post.

At the other end, a Lee McCulloch header whistled inches wide of the target. Scott Brown was then wasteful with two superb opportunities. He was released into the box by a lovely pass from Georgios Samaras but stumbled over the ball and his awkward shot was saved by Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

The midfielder then saw a shot from a tight angle crash off the outside of the post, with Samaras again the provider. And Brown was left rueing those missed chances when Rangers surged into the lead.

Thomson collected in the middle of the park before racing into the box and exchanging a one-two with Jean-Claude Darcheville before despatching an angled drive past Artur Boruc from just outside the six-yard box.

Celtic came out with positive intent after the break and Gers number one McGregor pulled off a superb fingertip save to send a smart 25-yard shot from Andreas Hinkel over the crossbar.

The game came to a painful end for Thomson when he fell under challenge from Samaras on the edge of the box and he left the pitch on a stretcher. Nacho Novo and Charlie Adam spurned opportunities to extend Rangers' advantage, but Celtic failed to may them pay and Rangers held on to move a step closer to regaining the title.