Aiden McGeady claimed Celtic have made their critics eat their words after a last-gasp victory over bitter rivals Rangers.

The Parkhead winger is aware they were criticised for a lack of fight and desire when they slumped to defeat at Ibrox last month and Rangers were tipped to run away with the honours.

However, last night's 2-1 win provided the Hoops with a much-needed boost heading into the final strait of the campaign.

The wing wizard said: "There were accusations levelled at us for having a lack of character or any leaders in the team, but I don't think you can say that after tonight."

"It was a great performance. We were looking at a 1-1 draw and the league would have been out of our hands.

"But to eventually win 2-1 and to keep trying to get that goal shows the character we have."

McDonald stepped up for the spot-kick with 20 minutes to go after Carlos Cuellar saw red for deliberate handball and McGeady praised the spirit of both Celtic and the Australian striker for refusing to give up.

He said: "We didn't give up and we still had chances after that and we kept on plugging away.

"Credit to wee Scotty, he didn't let his head go down and he put the ball across to Jan who stuck it in. That's what it's all about.

"Jan is normally the penalty-taker so I thought he was going to take it, but he passed it over to wee Scotty for some reason - maybe he was more confident.

"Scotty missed it but it's no big deal, we still won."

McGeady was also involved in an altercation with Novo but was keen to play down the bust-up.

"It was just one of those things that happen in football, a bit of handbags," he said.