The body language at the end was instructive; Celtic sprightly, Rangers stunned. Two goals to the good and utterly dominant in every department and they get caught by a team that has perfected the art of the 90th-minute blow.
Aggro in the aftermath. Pushing and shoving and pointing on the pitch. Stalemate. An infinitely better draw for Celtic than Rangers but, really, not a whole lot of good to either of them.
From Edinburgh, the distant sound of laughter. There wasn't a winner at Ibrox in this 2-2 draw, but there were winners elsewhere. Derek McInnes at the top and Jens Berthel Askou in fourth might have offered up a prayer before kick-off. A draw was what they would have wished for and their wish was granted.
Hearts and Motherwell finish the weekend in a stronger position. Rangers and Celtic? Well, they tore at each other's throats and did a lot of damage.
Their respective strengths and imperfections were evident, right until the end of a tumultuous afternoon. It made for a deeply compelling game; hardcore football that had everything. Brilliance and weakness from minute one to the very last act. The psychology was endlessly fascinating.
