Samaras double puts Celtic four clear at top of table

FT: Rangers 0 Celtic 2

Georgios Samaras’s second-half double in the Old Firm derby at Ibrox took Celtic four points clear of Rangers at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

The Hoops striker pounced on a Joe Ledley punt over the top in the 61st minute before rounding Allan McGregor and sliding into an empty net.

The Greece international then steered a spot-kick past the Light Blues goalkeeper after he had been felled in the box by Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra to increase Celtic’s advantage at the top of the table.

In the 68th minute, Celtic were awarded a penalty by referee Craig Thomson when Bougherra brought down Samaras inside the penalty area and the former Manchester City striker calmly stroked the spot-kick past McGregor.

As Rangers rallied, with Kyle Lafferty on for Foster, defender Sasa Papac volleyed wide following a corner and then Bougherra volleyed over the bar from 12 yards.

In the 83rd minute, Kayal came close with a 30-yard drive which zipped just past McGregor’s left post.