For the second time this season the youth teams of Rangers and Celtic fought out a goalless draw. With the the Edinburgh derby also finishing level it now means a win for Hibs in their last game away to Motherwell would clinch the title. Anything less would give hope to both Rangers and and Hearts who have two and three games left respectively.
In a disappointing first half that was dominated by Celtic, but failed to produce anything of note until the 30th minute and even then it was only to report a change of keeper for the visitors. When Daniele Giordano who had picked up a knock in an earlier challenge by Archie Campbell was replaced by Andrew Kennedy.
A minute later Rangers in their first real attack had the first real sight of goal, Campbell picked up the ball on the right hand side of the penalty area and played it square to Kal Naismith who made space for himself but screwed his shot well wide. Just before half time Krisjanis Vallers had a chance for Celtic but shot weakly straight at Grant Adam.
Half-Time:-Rangers 0 Celtic 0
Rangers started the second half in more determined fashion, first Kane Hemmings had a great run past two defenders only to see his shot blocked. Then in the second minute Gregg Wylde broke forward and shot wide.
On 50minutes Kyle Hutton was yellow carded for a rash challenge on Sean Fitzharris. This proved costly two minutes later when the referee deemed his foul on Vallers worthy of a second yellow and Rangers were reduced to 10 men.
On 66 minutes a good turn by Hemmings gave him a chance but he shot straight at keeper Kennedy. Then at the other end Fitzharris shot straight at Adam.
With six minutes remaining Celtic were also reduced to 10 men. Archie Campbell burst past three defenders and was clear through on goal only to be hauled by back Ryan Strachan for a clear foul and clear red card. From the resultant free kick Stephen Stirling shot tamely straight at Kennedy.
In the dying minutes Rangers came close in a couple of ocassions, Scott Durie headed a Gregg Wylde free kick just over. Then with Grant Adam up in the Celtic box for a corner the visitors defence eventually managed to clear.
The best chance of the match came in the final minute, Campbell held the ball up inside the box and laid it back in to the path of the late arriving Gordon Dick who's effort was tipped over by Kennedy for a corner. From the corner Danny Wilson headed just wide, which was to prove the final action of what had been a game of few goal scoring chances.
Full-Time:- Rangers 0 Celtic 0
Rangers :- Grant Adam; Scott Durie, Darren Cole, Danny Wilson, Gregg Wylde; Kyle Hutton, Stephen Stirling, Jamie Ness, Kal Naismith (Tom Miller 56mins (Gordon Dick 67mins)); Archie Campbell, Kane Hemmings (Isa Bagci 72mins).
Not Used :- Steven Forbes, Chris Scott, Dylan McGeough, Arturs Vailculis.
Celtic:- Daniele Giordano (Andrew Kennedy 30mins); Grant Gallagher, Ryan Strachan, Matty Hughes, Antonis Kurakins; Phillip Johnstone (James Keatings 85mins), Richie Towell, Krisjanis Vallers, Michael Tidser, Jim Forrest; Sean Fitzharris (Danny Gardiner 72mins).
Not Used:- Declan Gallagher, Callum Bagshaw, Luca Santonocita, Lewis Toshney
Footnote:-
Rangers under 17's cliched their place in the Glasgow Cup Final, with a 5-0 win over Queen's Park on Tuesday night. The winners will meet either Celtic or Clyde in the final on 11th May.
After a goaless first half Rangers took the lead on 49 mins via a Chris Scott header from a Rhys McCabe free kick. The lead was doubled on 54 minutes when Kyle McAusland headed home a Michael Noble Cross. Max Wright made it 3-0 on 63 minutes slotting home a Dylan McGeough square pass.
Rangers added another two in the final minutes, Chris Scott with a tap in from a Max Wright cross and the final minute another Max Wright cross was converted by Kyle McAusland.
Rangers:- Gary Inglis; Ewan McNeil, Chris Scott, Kyle McAusland, Michael Noble (Scott Rumsby 83mins); Nicky Main (Robbie Crawford 80mins), Dylan McGeough, Rhys McCabe, Anthony Meringhi; Max Wright, Cristiano Kisuka (Murray Wallace 70mins).
Not Used:- Blair Currie
Queen's Park :- Paul Cankaye, ?? Garvie, Danny McKenzie, Fraser Barbour, Kevin Green, Nathan Blockley, ?? Galbraith, Ryan Murney, ?? Sinclair, ?? Durante, Scott Morton
Subs:- Anton McDowell, ?? Newall, ?? Jones, Jamie Hunter