By Can Erozden
ANKARA (AA) – Leaders Celtic won the Old Firm derby over the Rangers 3-2 on Saturday to take a huge step towards the 2023 Scottish Premiership title.
Celtic's Japanese forward Kyogo Furuhashi scored twice at Glasgow's Celtic Park to play a key role in the win.
Furuhashi scored the opener, followed by Rangers captain and right-back James Tavernier's goal from a free-kick that ended the first half 1-1.
The Japanese player made it 2-1 for Celtic in the 62nd minute before his teammate Jota took advantage of the Rangers defense mistake to score the third goal for the home team.
In the 78th minute, Tavernier scored a header in the far post to narrow the deficit, but Celtic won the derby.
Celtic have 88 points in 31 matches to go 12 points clear of the second-place Rangers with seven games left in the 2022-23 campaign.
Known for his productivity in the offense, Tavernier, a Rangers defender since 2015, scored a header against Celtic to tally 100 goals for the Gers to make history.
The 31-year-old English fullback, who previously played for many English clubs including Wigan and Newcastle United, also made 114 assists in 394 appearances for the Rangers.
This season Tavernier has scored 17 goals in 47 matches.