ALFREDO Morelos finally broke his Old Firm duck in his 15th appearance in the world-famous fixture today to earn Rangers a draw against Celtic at Parkhead that kept alive their hopes of an “Invincibles” league season.

Colombian striker Morelos headed home from a few yards out seven minutes before half-time to cancel out Mohamed Elyounoussi’s opener and ultimately extend the Ibrox club’s unbeaten run in the Premiership to 33 games.

The Ibrox club, who had been crowned Scottish champions for the first time since 2011 a fortnight ago, had been bidding to record a hat-trick of wins at Parkhead for the first time since 1992 and their fourth consecutive triumph in a Glasgow derby match for the first time since 2008.

However, they were happy to earn a draw at the end of the 90 minutes. John Kennedy’s side dominated the match and were denied by the brilliance of Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor on numerous occasions.

Steven Gerrard's side can become top flight Invincibles for the first time in 122 years and only the second time in their history if they avoid defeat in their final five matches.   

There was no guard of honour from Celtic for their city rivals before kick-off.

Applauding the team onto the park in their first game after winning the league is a tradition in football.

However, the home side had not been afforded that courtesy when they played at Ibrox after clinching the Premiership back in 2019 and they decided against it.   

Celtic did, however, show their solidarity with Rangers in the wake of the racism storm that erupted at the end of the Europa League match against Slavia Prague in Govan on Thursday night.

The management teams, backroom staff and substitutes of both sides lined up on the touchline before proceedings commenced. On the park, the players stood in silence and declined to take the knee.

Celtic interim manager John Kennedy named the same team that had been held to a 0-0 draw at Tannadice – a result that ensured Rangers clinched the league - a fortnight earlier.

Gerrard selected Glen Kamara – who had been at the centre of a race hate storm in the Europa League match against Slavia Prague in Govan on Thursday night – in central midfield alongside Joe Aribo and Steven Davis.

Elsewhere, he preferred Leon Balogun to Nathan Patterson, who suffered a knock to his calf against Slavia, at right back and Filip Helander came into his starting line-up at centre half alongside Connor Goldson.

Ianis Hagi was also given the nod and he formed the front three alongside Ryan Kent and Morelos.

Kent was involved in the build-up to the first real scoring chance of the match in the 21st minute. He jinked past Scott Brown and Stephen Welsh before laying the ball off to Borna Barisic outside him. Morelos got on the end of the left back’s cross, but his header lacked power and was easily held by Bain.

Celtic responded immediately. David Turnbull intercepted a slack clearance by Goldson and chipped into the six yard box. Elyounoussi challenged Allan McGregor in the air, but the winger was unable to get on the end of the delivery.

But the Norwegian put his team in front just a minute later. Callum McGregor unleashed Odsonne Edouard clear down the left wing and the striker got ahead of Balogun and squared across the face of goal. Helander was unable to get to it, but Elyounossi could. His diving header gave McGregor no chance. There were claims for a penalty in the 27th minute when Edouard went to ground following a challenge by Barisic. But referee Willie Collum was unimpressed. He decided the forward had dived and showed him a yellow card.

But Celtic were applying relentless pressure. McGregor did well to deny his namesake Callum with his legs shortly after that when the midfielder was teed up for a shot inside his area by left back Diego Laxalt.

Kennedy’s men were made to rue those missed opportunities when their opponents levelled n the 38th minute. Once again, their frailties at set pieces resurfaced and cost them. Nobody dealt with the Barisic corner, Balogun nodded it on and Morelos pounced and headed it in from close range.  

That wasn’t an end to the excitement in the first-half. Celtic almost edged in front again four minutes before half-time. Kristoffer Ajer picked out Elyounoussi in the Rangers box and the scorer played a neat one-two with Edouard who shot between McGregor’s legs. But the keeper managed to take the sting off the attempt and keep it out of his net.

Bain came to the rescue of his team a minute later after Hagi had chipped over the heads of the Celtic defence. The Englishman met it first time and the keeper showed quick reactions to stick out and arm and palm away the dipping volley.

It was real end to end stuff. McGrgor then pushed a downward header from Elyounoussi past his post after a Turnbull corner.

Celtic continued to lay siege to the Rangers goal after the break. Welsh headed over at a Turnbull corner and McGregor produced a fine save from an Edouard volley.

Gerrard decided something needed to be done and he put on Patterson for Balogun in the 59th minute. Scott Arfield replaced Hagi six minutes later. The changes seemed to lift his side. Steven Davis had an effort deflected wide.

But Celtic continued to impress too. Christie split the Rangers defence wide open with a 40 yard pass in the 72nd minute and Turnbull got a shot on goal from an acute angle. Once again, though, McGregor was equal to it. Edouard nodded over from the resultant Turnbull corner.

Scott Wright took over from Aribo and Morelos made way for Kemar Roofe. Kennedy removed Turnbull, Elyounoussi, Brown and Edouard and put on James Forrest, Tom Rogic, Ismaila Soro and Leigh Griffiths in the closing stages.   

There was an anxious moment for Celtic at the death when a Bain clearance struck Welsh. But Roofe was unable to capitalise. It would have been an injustice if Rangers had snatched the win.