The Rangers number one pulled out a spectacular penalty save from Georgios Samaras to maintain the blues hopes of retaining the league for the third successive year. The goalless draw at Ibrox puts Rangers a point ahead of Celtic, who still have 6 games remaining while Rangers have only five. This means if the Bhoys win all their remaining fixtures Neil Lennon will lift his first trophy as a manager.

The first half failed to excite, with Rangers dominating the chances, with attempts from Naismith and Lafferty coming close but failing to trouble Fraser Forster in the Celtic goals. The atmosphere, which is always incredible in Old Firm encounters, rocketed in the eighteenth minute when the 10,000 travelling fans began their tribute to Lennon, who had earlier in the week been targeted, along with two other famous Celtic fans, by parcel bombs. These chants sparked a war of cheers and jeers between the two sets of fans which lasted several minutes longer than the intended one.

In the second half, the pace of the match increased, with both sides coming close to scoring on a number of occasions before referee Craig Thompson controversially pointed to the spot ten minutes from time following what appeared to be a soft challenge by Steven Davis on Anthony Stokes. However, justice was done as McGregor saved Samaras’ penalty which some critics may say would have been better taken by either Stokes or Commons.

Elsewhere in the league, Saturday provided two six-goal-thrillers with Hearts giving up a 3 goal lead to draw 3-3 with Motherwell at Tynecastle, while brilliant displays from Craig Conway and David Goodwillie saw Dundee United romp to a 4-2 victory at home to Kilmarnock, keeping them in with a shout of getting the third European spot. Hibernian and St Mirren also drew 1-1 at Easter Road in a tie which meant very little for either side.