Rangers and Celtic played out an absorbing second half in this traditionally bruising Scottish derby match.

The tempo, as ever, was more of a presto than a largo - and the commitment was rarely less than verging on the dangerous.

But after a disappointing first half the game exploded into life with end-to-end excitement.

Within minutes of both teams returning after the break, Rod Wallace had put Rangers ahead with a well taken strike in the penalty area.

This advantage was soon wiped out when Henrik Larsson headed home after a searing drive from Lubomir Moravcik in the 66th minute hit the underside of the bar and rebounded.

But Celtic must have counted themselves lucky that they entered half-time with an evenly balanced scoreboard.

Drab first half

Rangers began this scrappy derby looking far more creative than their auld enemy.

Time and time again they managed to get behind the Celtic defence, only to waste their chances.

For Celtic it was vital they gained a result if they are to remain in touch with Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

Rangers, meanwhile, were desperate to avenge their humiliating 5-1 rout by their neighbours last November.

Wallace had a fine drive pushed away by Celtic goalkeeper Jonathan Gould after 10 minutes, the keeper's touch strong enough to divert the ball away from the on-rushing Neil McCann.

Gould was again alert three minutes later to thwart Giovanni van Bronckhorst's shot from distance, while from the resulting corner McCann failed to make a strong enough connection.

But against the flow of play Celtic took the lead thanks to their defender, Alan Stubbs.

He stuck the ball into the back of the net in a manner befitting a striker.

The lead was as unexpected as perhaps it was unjust.

Battle of attrition

The match became an increasingly robust affair after half an hour and three players' names were recorded in the referee's book, with yellow cards.

But as the first half closed, Celtic moved forward with greater conviction.

It was then that Gabriel Amato pounced with an immaculately placed header in injury time.

On scoring he removed his shirt, perhaps in empathy with those supporters who had placed theirs on a Rangers victory.