DIOMANDE JUBILEE

Gers goal hero insists they didn't go over the top celebrating derby win

- By Michael Gannon

MOHAMED DIOMANDE has hit back at suggestions Rangers over- celebrated their epic Old Firm derby triumph at Celtic Park.

Hamza Igamane's late winner to seal the 3-2 victory on Sunday sparked wild scenes from the visitors - and the partying continued in front of Gers' band of 2,400 fans after the final whistle.

The result cut Celtic's lead to 13 points, and few would argue that this season's Premiership trophy isn't destined for Parkhead.

A day in the sun doesn't make up for being so far out of the league running at this stage, or for getting launched out of the Scottish Cup by Championship side Queens' Park.

Nevertheless, the taste of victory at the home of their rivals was still sweet and, while pundits such as Chris Sutton accused them of celebrating like “they'd won the Champions League”, Diomande is adamant nobody at Rangers went over the top in the aftermath.

The midfielder said: “We know we are still behind by a lot of points and it is just a win, but we are not celebrating like we are winning the league or something like that.

"I am happy that we got the win and we all knew it was not going to be easy.

“Three points was the most important thing and it was just chill, cool and we just move on.”

That doesn’t mean anyone needs to rain on the Rangers parade just yet. It’s been such a miserable season domestically, supporters are entitled to take any bit of fun they can get.