Celtic this afternoon beat theRangers at Ibrox to take a six point lead in the title race after a fantastic display of grit and determination which led to us beating our city rivals at their home for the first time since 2019. Celtic came back to win after going behind early, something that is very rarely achieved in this fixture whether it be against the old Rangers or the new version.
The pre-match build up at Ibrox was embarrassing, with the advertising boards showing ‘this is the old firm’ throughout the stadium, then as the players came out they entered through an arch with ‘old firm’ surrounding the top of it.
I will be doing another article about the mindset over there at the moment but for now all I can say is I absolutely cringed seeing all this stuff in the build up to kick-off. It was genuinely embarrassing. They proclaim to hate us so much yet the way their club and it’s fans are getting on it gives off bunny boiler vibes. Like a spurned lover who just can’t get over us. Truly weird.
The match itself started at an absolutely frantic pace, which Celtic surprisingly looked unprepared for and they struggled to get their passing game going. theRangers were first to everything and looked threatening as we failed to match their tempo and after just 3 minutes the home side took the lead. Aaron Ramsey had all the time in the world as the Celtic defence seemed to still be half asleep as he strode into the box to finish the ball past a diving Joe Hart in the Celtic goal.
Celtic quickly regrouped however, and after wonderful work by Celtic captain Callum McGregor, the ball ended up at the feet of Hatate and at that moment it felt like we could be experiencing déjà vu as he lined up a shot from the edge of the area. His strike was palmed away and in the ensuing melee the ball ended up at the feet of Tom Rogic who calmly slotted the ball in on the half volley.
This was no easy finish by the way, the Australian just made it look like it was. Rogic was at his mercurial best today, when he is in this form he is head and shoulders above anyone else in Scottish football.
The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of the home team and from here on until half time it was the away team who looked the more likely to take the lead. Just before the interval Celtic duly obliged when a lofted cross by Jota saw Carl Starfelt provide a great knockdown for his defensive partner Cameron Carter-Vickers who smashed the ball home like a seasoned striker.
The timing of the goal must have been devastating for the home side who would have been hoping to get into the changing room and regroup during the break.
In another moment of shame for the Ibrox club, one of their fans decided to break a bottle during the interval leaving shards of glass in the goalmouth area Joe Hart was due to play in during the second half. What an incredibly stupid and dangerous act that would put a player’s health at risk. Whoever carried this out has a mindset that is truly warped.
Some may say it’s one individual, but I doubt the same one person was guilty of all the coin throwing that took place towards our players throughout the match.
The second half became more of a scrappy affair and the narrative shifted from the Celtic attackers taking all the praise to the Celtic defenders, who during the second period were outstanding.
I have to be honest, during the opening quarter of the match Carl Starfelt was giving me bad nerves. He kept giving away silly fouls in dangerous areas, something the manager surely warned the players not to do with theRangers greatest threat coming from set pieces. He just looked like he was going to make a costly mistake anytime soon.
But by god did he put a performance in after that. I know Cameron Carter-Vickers got Man of the Match and it was well deserved as he was outstanding, but the big Swede was every bit as good in the end, making some crucial interceptions and blocks. He cleared absolutely everything they threw at us in that second half.
Although the home side pressured us in the second half, at no time did it feel like they were ever likely to score. I can only really think of one proper save Joe Hart had to make and that was from Sakala, a fine save it was too. The clearest opening in the second half fell late on to Liel Abada, who with the goal at his mercy, somehow failed to score our third and end the contest there and then. To be fair it was a absolutely fantastic reaction save by McGregor, which ultimately screwed me out of my pre-match bet on Celtic winning 3-1 at 25/1!
A perfect display of guts and determination from Celtic to go to Ibrox, fall behind early and still leave with all 3 points. I was confident beforehand that we would win today and so it proved. When I looked at the two squads I just couldn’t see how they could stop us and today proved we are the better team.
A few thoughts before I go and bask in the glory. I thought Taylor and Maeda were both fantastic today. Taylor has came in for criticism in the past but he did well both defensively and in an attacking sense today.
Daizen Maeda showed today exactly what he brings to the table. I genuinely can’t think of any Celtic player I’ve ever saw who is as fit as the Japanese attacker. His energy levels are incredible. He ran non stop today and was an absolute nuisance throughout. Remember also that he has basically came off a full season in Japan with no break and straight into the second half of our campaign. Unbelievable.
I also thought Nir Bitton was immense after he came on. He seemed to be everywhere and was vital in interrupting their attacking play. I genuinely worry about those Celtic fans out there who still don’t appreciate what he brings to this team. With Hatate completely done in the second half we were getting outworked in midfield until Bitton came on and steadied the ship. He showed his leadership qualities and proves that it is vitally important to retain experienced players such as him in the squad.
What a day. Enjoy this Beautiful Sunday folks.
Conall McGinty
Very interesting and great account of what went on. Couldn’t agree more about “Niro” – what a diamond to0 have in the squad. HH