Celtic slick and ruthless, the Rangers slow and sloppy

Celtic move one step closer to a record eighth treble…

Yesterday was yet another Beautiful Sunday. Derby victory number four for the season, finishing theRangers’ season in the process, and of course taking a step closer to a record eighth treble.

It wasn’t pretty and it was a nervy finale as the Ibrox side fought to save their season. They threw everything at it but we held firm and our mental toughness and will to win saw us hold on to a slender victory thanks to Jota’s 42nd minute winner.

Jota celebrates after scoring only goal of the game during the Scottish Cup Semi Final match between theRangers and Celtic at Hampden Park on April 30, 2023.. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

We had chances of our own to seal it but it didn’t matter as Jota’s header from a quick piece of thinking form Daizen Maeda was enough in the end. The way we created the goal and the way theRangers conceded it sums up both teams. Celtic slick and ruthless, theRangers slow and sloppy.

Every player played their part as always and gave the usual one hundred and ten percent. The central defensive pairing of Cameron Carter Vickers and Carl Starfelt were superb throughout. Big CCV in particular who was undoubtedly Man of the Match.

Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic shakes hands with Joe Hart after the team’s victory in the Scottish Cup Semi Final match between Rangers and Celtic at Hampden Park on April 30, 2023 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

We will now miss him for the rest of the campaign as he goes under the knife, it’s a cruel blow for both the player and the club, but he’s more than played his part in our success and is a clear favourite for Player of the Year. He’s the best defender in the country, it’s no contest.

Talking of injuries, Alistair Johnston took a sore one and left the stadium on crutches, fingers crossed it isn’t too serious and is only precautionary, but it doesn’t look good.

This clear and deliberate handball prevented Celtic going 2-0 in front of Inverness in the Scottish Cup semi-final in 2015. No penalty was awarded.

Only Inverness Caley Thistle now stand between Celtic and a Treble on Saturday 3rd June. Of course we still have to wrap up the title, but that’s just a formality. Some would say the final is also a formality.

That sounds disrespectful but it’s a game we should be winning, and I’m supremely confident we will but it’s Inverness and we all know our previous with them, so there can be no complacency. The Championship side have nothing to lose and will make a game of it, but we have more than enough to emerge victorious.

I’m highly confident we will be celebrating a record breaking 8th Treble come 3rd June. Anything else is unthinkable.

JustAnOrdinaryBhoy – follow on Twitter @ordinarybhoy