It was a great way to win a match that was a poor spectacle in many ways as injury depleted Celtic tried their best to match a full strength Rangers side who failed miserably to take advantage of their best opportunity this year to catch up in the title race. The very fact that this means that Rangers will not have completed a calendar year without losing at home is the icing on the cake
It was a great goal, with Allan "I park in disabled spaces" McGregor unable to do anything about the Strikers crashing volley that won the match for the Champions and Scott McDonald was happy to admit that this goal was the best one he has scored in his career.
McDonald said: "It's nice to make history and I'll treasure this for the rest of my career. Now we're seven points clear and have to prove we can cope as champions."
Celtic Manger Gordon Strachan was full of praise for his number seven, not only for the goal but for his all round contribution that has seen him restore his tenacious side to his game. "It was a terrific strike from Scott. He was phenomenal." Said the fully vindicated Ginger genius
"Scott picks himself at the moment, there's no doubt about that. These are three great points for us and we are just going to enjoy the feeling of beating Rangers
"We're not looking any further ahead than our next game which is next weekend at home to Dundee United."
Strachan was quick to use the happy mood to try and inspire the rest of the forwards in the team to battle it out to become McDonald's striking partner
He said: "Scott has scored goals yet hasn't had a settled partner all season.
"But he is a team player and always has been."
Despite being crowned No.1 pick the Aussie hotshot claims he doesn't feel assured of a place.
McDonald said: "Georgios and I are starting to click which is great. But big Jan is on his way back now.
"It's going to be a fight for all three of us to be in the team and that's probably a good thing.
"I'm not going to play every week but hopefully at least I can get a game next week after scoring that goal.
"Sammy got a good flick on the ball. I took it on my chest and rolled the defender.
"It seemed to bounce for ages as I waited for it to come down but I couldn't have hit the ball any better.
"It was special to get the goal but it's about the team. The team performance was good and we got what we wanted.
"We were a little cold in the second half and Rangers put us under pressure.
"Artur Boruc kept us in the game with a save from Kris Boyd but we defended well.
"Scott Brown was immense too and helped break things up. His input was superb."
Strachan also praised Boruc, saying yesterday's victory was built with fine performances at both ends of the pitch.
The manager said: "It was right good goalkeeping from Artur. He made a good save from Boyd and was on top form.
"He said afterwards 'That was a good save, wasn't it boss?' "It's good for my players to know he's in this kind of form.
"Artur only really had one save to make and he made it. He can be pleased."
Strachan refused to get carried away with the result that sent his team seven points clear.
He said: "We huffed and puffed in the first half. But after half-time we were better and upped our level technically.
"We needed to be strong and had to defend. It was a case of waiting for our moment - and we took it when it came."
And what a moment it was too. You can be forgiven for thinking that we will only get stronger now we have an almost fuly fit squad to choose from, and given that we will undoubtedly look to strenghten the squad in the January transfer window Rangers mave have passed up their best opportunity to mount a serious challenge this season.
Here's hoping!
Yours in Celtic
Clydebuilt