IT was exciting while it lasted. But everyone, including Rangers

themselves, knew their run of matches without defeat could not go on

indefinitely. They reached 44, but the forty-fifth match took them back

to Celtic Park.

It had been suspected that Rangers might experience some difficulties

in the final Old Firm match of the season because of their heady

exploits in the Champions' League, but they were much more out of touch

than anyone could have anticipated.

The Ibrox side spent most of the afternoon in forlorn pursuit of the

game, and although they had a flourish towards the end after Mark

Hateley's goal had injected fresh hope and enthusiasm, Celtic were in

control.

In spite of another sterling performance from Stuart McCall, who draws

from a limitless reservoir of energy, Celtic commanded the midfield area

and deserved their victory.

John Collins was especially effective for Celtic, and his goal in 37

minutes gave his own side greater belief that they could go on and beat

Rangers. Until Collins beat Andy Goram with a strong and accurate shot

from the edge of the box Celtic had missed a few opportunites and

frustration might have undermined their game.

In the opening seconds of the match John Brown whipped a leg from Andy

Payton inside the box and Celtic should have been given a penalty, but

referee Douglas Hope decided there had been nothing illegal about the

challenge and play rolled on, although Brown was booked minutes later

for a crude body-check on Stuart Slater.

The Rangers defender was living dangerously and it soon become

apparent that such erratic play was widespread throughout the side.

Celtic took advantage and might have had another penalty just before

the interval, when it appeared as though David Robertson had played

Slater's attempted cross with an arm. Again the referee waved play on,

but the incident was further evidence of Celtic's dominance and Rangers'

hesitancy, a failing which led to the second goal.

Collins hurled the ball over from a corner on the left early in the

second half, Goram seemed to watch Neil Murray, who was watching McCall,

while Payton watched the ball have free passage across the face of goal

and slid in to make contact.

The scorer went off soon afterwards to have four stitches inserted in

a head wound, but he was able to finish the game and celebrate with his

team-mates at the end. They and their supporters had waited a long time

for a triumph like this, and even though it meant nothing in terms of

the title, a win over the arch-rivals is always welcome.

Rangers departed the scene without saying much at all, but then they

are unfamiliar with the misery of defeat, although manager Walter Smith

hung around long enough to say a few words about the attitude of his

players during the course of their run. They could not, he said, have

given any more.

If the injury problems with which Smith has had to cope are taken into

consideration, his team really should not have gone on so long without

suffering a loss, but it was inevitable the strain would take a toll.

Apart from McCall, they ran out of steam at Parkhead.

They had to start the game without players like Richard Gough, Gary

Stevens, Pieter Huistra, Dale Gordon, and Ally McCoist, who were all

injured or ill. In fact, Smith, who was reduced to 14 players, had to

ask McCoist to be a substitute, even though he was unfit and suffering

from food poisoning.

After half an hour McCoist had to go on because Scott Nisbet injured

his groin and the team had to be reshuffled. All McCoist received for

his trouble was a booking after a minor squabble with Mike Galloway, who

did not care too much for a tackle by the Rangers striker. The Celtic

player also was booked.

Before the end an injury to Ian Durrant, who hobbled off with a sore

knee allowing Alexei Mikhailichenko to run on, sealed a thoroughly

miserable afternoon for Rangers, even though the Ukrainian combined well

with Hateley to reduce Celtic's lead.

It would have been unjust, however, had Rangers equalised and denied

Celtic a rare moment, because they displayed some nice skills. According

to their man of the match, Collins, the aim now is to finish the season

unbeaten.

They have gone 10 games without defeat and if they can maintain their

form they may be entitled to harbour greater expectations for next

season, provided Brady is able to strengthen the team. When they play

like this it is obvious they are not too far off the required standard,

but they are short of a few quality players and also consistency.

Many of their supporters will be wondering why the team cannot produce

performances like Saturday's with increased regularity, but perhaps this

win will give them greater self-belief.

''I think we all had something to prove to ourselves and to our fans

against Rangers,'' said Collins. It certainly showed.