Rangers manager Alex McLeish signed off with defeat in his final Old Firm derby at Ibrox, after a Maciej Zurawski goal secured the win for Celtic and opened up a 21 point gap between the two sides.

Earlier this week, Rangers revealed that McLeish would be leaving at the end of the season, meaning this would be his final Old Firm derby at Ibrox. But, with defeats to Hibernian and Aberdeen still fresh in the mind, he was keen to focus on a return to winning ways.

He insisted in his programme notes: "Today is not about Alex McLeish — it is about Rangers bouncing back."

Paul Le Guen is the bookies’ favourite for the job and had sent his loyal sidekick Yves Colleu to Ibrox for today’s game. But his report from today’s match would not have made good reading for the former Lyon coach.

As with every Old Firm match, this game started at a breakneck pace with both teams desperate to draw first blood against their bitter rivals.

Thomas Buffel tried to pick out Barry Ferguson at the back post but the Rangers captain just failed to connect with the header and the chance was lost.

Celtic took the lead after 12 minutes when a Stilian Petrov shot was blocked by Bob Malcolm, the ball broke to Zurawski and he rifled home from 15 yards.

Rangers were desperate to haul themselves back in the game but they failed to capitalise on their first corner of the match when Chris Burke’s in-swinger was nodded over the crossbar by Marvin Andrews.

Rangers continued to push forward and Nacho Novo tried to set up Dado Prso for the header but Artur Boruc was first to the ball.

As the game raced towards half time, Rangers should have equalised when Buffel skipped past his marker and only had the goalkeeper to beat. But he chose to play the ball to Novo instead, overhitting the pass, and the chance was lost.

The first booking of the game came four minutes after the restart when Prso was cautioned for a foul on Petrov. Steven Smith then had a decent chance when a Burke corner broke kindly to his feet but his thunderous shot was just off target.

Referee Mike McCurry produced the yellow card again when Roy Keane was booked on his Old Firm debut for a challenge on Prso.

Bobo Balde then had the ball in the back of the net for Celtic - but only after clattering into goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus.

Rangers threw Kris Boyd into the action in place of Buffel, while Celtic swapped Hartson for Dion Dublin.

With only a goal separating the two sides, Rangers knew they could snatch a point but they looked nervous every time they progressed into the Celtic box.

Burke came closest to grabbing the equaliser when he forced Boruc into an impressive save with a thunderous free-kick.

But Rangers were destined to end the game, and now their season, empty-handed.