We can only hope Celtic throw it away says McLeish

GLASGOW (AFP) — Rangers manager Alex McLeish virtually conceded the Scottish Premiership title to Celtic after their arch-rivals notched up a deserved 3-0 victory in the Old Firm derby.

Headers from Bulgarian player of the year Stilian Petrov and Slovakian defender Stanislav Varga set Martin O'Neill's side on their way to a club record 18th successive victory before a stunning freekick Alan Thompson rounded off the job.

Celtic opened up an 11-point lead over Rangers at the top of the table and surpassed the winning streak set by the legendary Jock Stein side of 1968.

McLeish admitted Rangers' only remaining hope of retaining the title was for Celtic to collapse.

"Celtic can only lose the league now from the position they're in," said McLeish.

"There is still a lot to play for. We have two cups but we always hope that they can drop points ...