Celtic open 11-point gap on rivals
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Petrov (front) and Thompson were on target for Celtic
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GLASGOW, Scotland -- Celtic opened an 11-point lead in the Scottish Premier League with their second win of the season over Old Firm rivals and defending champions Rangers.
Stilian Petrov put Celtic in front on 19 minutes and Stanislav Varga and Alan Thompson -- with a stunning late freekick -- completed a 3-0 win for the home side.
Celtic also extended their league winning streak to a club record 18 games.
That run included a 1-0 win at Rangers' Ibrox home in October.
With the season only at the halfway point, Celtic coach Martin O'Neill attempted to play down his side's advantage.
"There are a couple of difficult games coming up like away to Hearts," said O'Neill.
Full of confidence
"It was a great win for us today and I am absolutely delighted. We needed to be right today and we were. The players will not give the lead up lightly and they are full of confidence but a couple of defeats could change all that.
"However we have to be very very strong and keep focused all the time."
Celtic dominated the match, but went ahead in slightly fortuitous circumstances as Bulgarian Petrov's diving header bounced off both posts before spinning over the line.
Slovakian defender Stanislav Varga doubled their lead after the break, heading home his third goal of the season, before Thompson capped Celtic's display with a curling shot into the top corner with six minutes left.
Rangers coach Alex McLeish admitted that closing an 11-point gap was probably beyond his side.
"Celtic can only lose it now to give the answer simply. We started all right. We had control of the ball but we lost the first goal. The first goal is so vital and to lose it after 18 minutes put us on the backfoot and gave Celtic a lift."
In Saturday's other games, Aberdeen beat Kilmarnock 3-1, Dunfermline Athletic and Livingston drew 2-2, Hibernian beat Partick Thistle 3-2 and Motherwell beat Dundee United 3-1.
