The Australian forward started on the bench for the crucial clash against their Glaswegian rivals, who hold a seven point advantage at the top of the table, but entered the fray with 20 minutes to go with the match goalless.

Celtic had dominated proceedings but simply couldn't find a way to goal, before McDonald showed them how it is done on 79 minutes.

Aiden McGeady provided the assist after turning on the edge of the box, with his cross finding McDonald who glanced in from close-range.

But barely two minutes later, Lee McCulloch responded for Rangers when he headed in Steven Davis's corner to level terms.

That was the way it ended, with Rangers retaining their significant advantage in the title race, although the Hoops do have a game in hand.

After the game, Celtic boss Tony Mowbray defended his decision to start goalscorer McDonald on the bench, saying; ''I wasn't surprised that he (McDonald) scored.

"He came off the bench at Falkirk and scored two. Scott should be worried that he is not going to be turned in to a guy who does that.

''He is not very happy to be sitting on the bench, of course, I understand that, but my job is to pick a team who can go and give Rangers problems and I don't think anyone could say that the front two didn't give Rangers problems.

''So I feel vindicated that the selection was fine. I know what Scott brings to the team, he came off the bench and did that.''

Elsewhere in the SPL overnight, young Aussie Rocky Visconte was an unused sub in a heated Edinburgh derby which ended 1-1 between Hearts and Hibs.

Elsewhere overnight, Aussie pair Patrick Kisnorbo and Neil Kilkenny both played full games as Leeds United recorded a famous 1-0 victory at Manchester United in the English FA Cup.

Kisnorbo was particularly impressive in handling United's tricky Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov.

Staying with the FA Cup, Gareth Edds put in a full shift for Tranmere Rovers as they were knocked out 1-0 by Wolverhampton.

Finally, in Scotland's First Division, Simon Storey and Frankie Lagana both started and helped struggling Airdrie United claim a handy 1-0 win at leaders Dundee.