THERE was pain and frustration in defeat for Rangers at Parkhead. For Joe Worrall, there was also pride.

A goal down and a man down at the interval after Odsonne Eduoard had opened the scoring and Alfredo Morelos saw red, Steven Gerrard’s side were staring at a defeat that could have been as damaging mentally as it would have been to their Premiership title ambitions.

The goal from James Forrest that earned Celtic victory also all-but won Neil Lennon’s side an eight successive league crown. They had to wait for it and fight for it, though.

Rangers rallied after the break and when Ryan Kent pulled them level, the momentum was with the visitors. The second goal wouldn’t arrive, however, and the blow that condemned Gerrard’s side to defeat came with just minutes remaining.

“It is obviously disappointing to lose the game, I think we were the better team in the second half when we had ten men,” Worrall, who had a late chance himself as he tried to scramble the ball over the line, said. “It is frustrating we couldn’t put in the performance we did in the second in the first when we had the same men.

“I think we can be proud of ourselves coming away to this ground in front of a packed-out stadium and showing some real character in the second half to nearly edge it.

“It is frustrating. We have done it a couple of times this season and that is why there is such a big gap at the top. We are our own worst enemies at times.

“We play some really good stuff, should score and then go and make mistakes like that. It is what it is.

“That is football and that is why it is a sport we all enjoy. When we look back at it, we can be proud at what we did in that second half with ten men.

“I nearly got one and Ryan Kent went in again but they defended really well. they cleared a couple off the line, Andy had a shot blocked. It is one of those things.

“You have got to look at the stats. We had ten men in the second half and outplayed Celtic at their place so I think we can be really proud of ourselves.”

Come the end of a remarkable day at Parkhead, the red card, the goals and the final outcome were only some of the talking points.

On the final whistle, a melee erupted as Andy Halliday took exception to over-zealous celebrations from Scott Brown as he goaded the 800-strong Rangers support.

Boss Gerrard was unhappy with the Celtic skipper and players from both sides piled in as it took some time for calm to be restored. Worrall wasn’t keen to get involved on or off the park, though.

“I have never been a big fan of getting involved with stuff like that,” Worrall said. “I just leave them to it, as most of our players do.

“It is what it is. I am sure if the shoe was on the other foot they would moan about us. It is what it is.

“I don’t know [what happened at the end] I was just clapping our fans. I don’t get involved in that stuff. It is a defeat that we are all frustrated with. Just get yourself down the tunnel and leave it. I didn’t really see about what went on.

“Maybe [you have to be more streetwise]. But you are talking to the wrong man here. I really don’t get involved with that stuff. We have lost the game, that’s it.

“Move on, dust yourself down, puff your chest out and get on with it. whoever gets involved with that stuff, you just don’t need to.”