MAYDAY MAYHEM

We won't know winner of this crazy derby draw until climax of season

- KEITH JACKSON

IT'S hard to know what all the fuss is about. The smart money was always on a draw after all.

But exactly how Rangers and Celtic contrived to get there was predicted by no one and was utterly captivating for all who spent yesterday gawping at what was going on inside Ibrox.

In many ways this was a car crash of a derby, from the moment Daizen Maeda scored a freakish opener with a tackle on James Tavernier just 21 seconds in. From 22 yards out.

Instantly impossible to take the eyes off, it thundered around in a blustering gale for 100 minutes until Cyriel Dessers thrashed the last kick of the ball inches wide of the base of Joe Hart's left-hand post.

It was remarkable from start to finish. An utterly enthralling spectacle. Maybe even a timely reminder to a watching UK audience of what a top-of-the table showdown is supposed to look like, even if it leaves more questions than answers as to which of them goes on from here to win it.

Even when it was over there was still the unique sight of Rangers' players and manager indulging in a lap of honour having just dropped two points on their own pitch against their most bitter rivals.

They believe they're still in the driving seat, even though they'll almost certainly have to avoid defeat at Parkhead in order to stay there.

For Celtic, this draw felt more like a loss. And yet it might also be the result that keeps their title defence alive and kicking on the home straight.

For the home side, it was a rescue mission that felt a little like a title-defining moment given the mess they had made of their first-half performance.

Because as good as Celtic were for 45 minutes - and they were as close to excellent as the conditions would allow Rangers were utterly shambolic in almost everything they did.