Celtic supporters celebrated a scoreless draw as though it were VE Day, aware that their greatest rivals had failed to capitalise on a golden opportunity to establish a potentially telling advantage at the top of the league.
The presence of mutual respect - indeed, apprehension - was self-evident for much of a match in which defeat would bring the usual intolerable repercussions for the vanquished.
It was a surprise to see Rangers proceed with a certain caution considering Celtic's injury problems in the preceding days. The notion that the visitors would be grateful to escape with a draw began to form as one important contributor after another seemed to be afflicted.
Even the unexpected appearance of Tom Boyd, Craig Burley and Philip O'Donnell was no indicator of their readiness for such an occasion and the feeling persisted that they were probably not at peak fitness. But, until Rangers began to assert themselves in the 15 minutes before the interval, Celtic were as threatening as the home side.
Henrik Larsson produced the first proper scoring attempt, pulling his low, right-foot shot marginally wide after Tom Boyd ended a powerful run down the right with a precise cut-back.
By then the referee had already acted to ensure sporting behaviour, booking Boyd in the second minute for a foul on Giovanni van Bronckhorst and, three minutes later, the Dutchman himself for a challenge on Larsson.
The balance between the teams was a delicate one but Gabriel Amato squandered an outstanding opportunity to give Rangers the lead when his poor touch allowed David Hannah to take the ball away after the Argentinian striker was left clear inside the area for a cross from Rod Wallace.
Soon afterwards Amato headed another centre from Wallace on the left wide from six yards. But, as Rangers appeared to be gaining control, Darren Jackson suddenly broke down the right, delivered an exceptional cross to Larsson and watched in pain as the Swede's thundering header was turned against the bar by Lionel Charbonnier.
Amato's reputation dwindled further in the second half, when he wasted another good opportunity with a ponderous attempt. Wallace again was the supplier, going clear on the left and crossing low.
But the striker lost out to the scrambling Gould. Wallace himself had made a mess of an even more glaring chance earlier when Marc Rieper, in midfield, drove the ball against Jorg Albertz.
The rebound left the German clear on the left and his strong run ended with him supplying the Englishman. The former Leeds player, harassed by the closing defenders, drove wide. It was typical of Rangers' scoring attempts for most of the match.
Challenges to the Old Firm already seem to be on the wane. On Saturday three teams had the opportunity to go top and all failed.
And Hearts' 1-1 draw at Dunfermline yesterday suggests they are still short of the form that made them the most serious contenders outside Glasgow last season. They required Jim Hamilton's equaliser at East End Park after Andy Smith had opened for Dunfermline. Aberdeen, who lost 2-0 at St Johnstone, and Motherwell and Kilmarnock, who drew 0-0 at Fir Park, all had the chance to go top and squandered the opportunity.
Rangers coach Dick Advocat was furious at the way his side had passed up the chance to go clear of their rivals. "we played very well in the first 85 minutes and created so many chances."
"At this level you may have to convert some of them and it was very disappointing for me that we didn't."Rangers: Charbonnier, Porrini, Amoruso, B. Ferguson, Kanchelskis (Graham 78), Van Bronckhorst, Amato (Miller 69), Albertz, Wallace, Moore, Hendry. Subs Not Used: I. Ferguson, Vidmar, Brown. Booked: Van Bronckhorst, Hendry.
Celtic: Gould, Boyd, Mahe, Rieper, Stubbs, Larsson, Burley, O'Donnell (McKinlay 83), Donnelly, Jackson, Hannah (Annoni 84). Subs Not Used: Kerr, McBride, Burchill. Booked: Boyd, Burley, Donnelly, Mahe.
Referee: S Dougal (Glasgow).
