Celtic surge to top of league table

Joe Ledley the toast of  Parkhead after his 52nd minute goal


GLASGOW (AP) ― Celtic supplanted Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League on Wednesday, defeating its Glasgow rival 1-0 to complete a dramatic turnaround in fortunes in the battle for the title.

Wales midfielder Joe Ledley grabbed the winner at Celtic Park, meeting a corner with an emphatic header at the far post in the 52nd minute to secure Celtic’s ninth straight league victory.

Less than two months ago, Neil Lennon’s side was in third place in the standings and 15 points adrift of Rangers, who at that stage were unbeaten and looking unstoppable in their bid to retain the title.

However, Celtic now has not only a two-point lead but also precious momentum as well following a deserved victory in the eighth match between the fierce rivals in 2011.

“It’s a great feeling,” Ledley said. “I thought we played well from the off and dominated the game.

“We didn’t have the best start to the season but we have moved on from there. We have played some great football at times, as we did today.”

Trouble flared in the last meeting between the teams at Celtic Park in March, when three players were sent off, the two managers had to be separated after a heated post-match confrontation, 34 fans were arrested inside the stadium and a referee was manhandled.

Politicians and police united in condemning the violence, on and off the pitch, which continued the long-running feud between the neighboring teams and dominant forces in the Scottish league, who have won their domestic title 96 times between them.

Sectarian tensions have fueled the rivalry. Fans of Rangers are mostly Protestant, while those of Celtic are predominantly Catholic.