A Georgios Samaras second-half double helped Celtic to a 2-0 win over Rangers in the second Old Firm derby of the season as they extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League to four points.

Celtic looked sharper immediately after the break and after Paddy McCourt came close it was Samaras who opened the scoring with a breakaway goal.

Just seven minutes later the Greek striker, in only his second start since October, won and dispatched a penalty after being brought down by Madjid Bougherra as Celtic got off to 2011 with their first win at Ibrox since December 2008.

“I didn’t think there was one failure out there today,” proud Hoops boss Neil Lennon said.

“They were very resilient, the back four were magnificent, the midfield players, once they got a grip of the game, dominated and I thought Samaras was unplayable.”

Celtic made several changes to the side that beat Motherwell in midweek due to suspension and injury as Rangers handed youngster Jamie Ness an Old Firm debut at the expense of Steven Naismith.

Before the game both clubs impeccably marked the 40th anniversary of the Ibrox disaster, where 66 fans lost their lives in a crush during a 1-1 draw between the teams on January 2, 1971.

But normal hostilities resumed at kick-off and Rangers came close to taking the lead in the fifth minute.

Lee McCulloch leaped to knock on a Vladimir Weiss corner which looked to be dropping in before Emilio Izaguirre headed it off the line via the crossbar.

The Hoops started the second half with more purpose and took the lead through a quick break away in the 62nd minute.

A Rangers attack broke down and Samaras got to Joe Ledley’s threaded long-ball before slotting home from an acute angle past keeper Allan McGregor.

Rangers brought on Kyle Lafferty as they looked for an equaliser but it was Celtic who doubled their lead in the 69th minute.

Bougherra brought down Samaras as he turned in the box and although McGregor guessed the right way the Greek placed his spot-kick beyond him low to his left.

Results

Premier League: St Johnstone vs Inverness 1-0; Rangers vs Celtic 0-2.
First Division: Dundee vs Ross County 2-0; Falkirk vs Stirling 4-2; Raith vs Dunfermline 2-1.
Second Division: Ayr vs Dumbarton 2-0; Stenhousemuir vs Alloa 2-3.
Third Division: Montrose vs Ar-broath 0-5.

Note: All other matches in programme postponed.