Scott Brown at centre of chaos as Celtic snatch late winner in dramatic Old Firm Derby against ten-man Rangers
In a typically fiery clash, Celtic took the lead after 27 minutes and found themselves a man up four minutes later before Rangers thought they had rescued a point
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SCOTT BROWN was at the centre of the chaos throughout Celtic's typically-dramatic Old Firm Derby win against ten-man Rangers - and then sparked a mass brawl after the full-time whistle.
The two sets of players had to be pulled apart when Andy Halliday confronted Brown over his overzealous celebrations and the Rangers man was then sent off in the tunnel afterwards.
Celtic's captain had also been involved in Alfredo Morelos' red card - his FIFTH of the season - and following James Forrest's late winner when Ryan Kent appeared to strike him in the face.
Forrest's finish earned a crucial victory as Celtic took another giant leap towards an eighth-successive Scottish Premiership.
James Tavernier's uncharacteristic error gifted possession away and the Hoops bounced before the midfielder latched on to Odsonne Edouard's pass and slid past Allan McGregor.
Edouard had given the hosts the lead with a well-taken goal after 27 minutes, breaking with pace before nudging the ball beyond the defender and smashing home.
Then Rangers hothead Morelos appeared to end his side's hopes of salvaging anything just four minutes later when he lashed out at Brown with a swinging left arm.
But against the run of play, Rangers appeared to have rescued a point.
On-loan Liverpool winger Ryan Kent produced a stunning solo goal and fired past Scott Bain to equalise just after the hour mark.
It was ten against ten for final 15 minutes, though, as Dedryck Boyata limped off with a hamstring injury after Neil Lennon had already made all three subs.
Gerrard threw on Jermain Defoe to try and find a late winner but it was Celtic who did exactly that when Forrest found the net to send Celtic Park into raptures.
Tempers flared once again after Forrest's goal and Kent could have seen red for shoving Brown but it appeared the referees did not spot the incident before the trouble after the full-time whistle.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Brown was asked about the three major incidents he was involved in.
He said: "Morelos elbowed me and you can't do that. But it's all about us today."
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Brown then added that he did "not remember" the clash with Kent and that Halliday had come over after full-time to "congratulate" Celtic - the controversial skipper just about held in a wry smile.
Both sides are likely to be hit with fines for failing to control their players after the end of the game - not that Celtic fans or players will care.
Gerrard, though, could well be without Kent as well as Morelos and Halliday for Hearts' visit to Ibrox on Wednesday.
