Celtic and Rangers played in the UEFA Champions League tonight with both games being shown on BT Sport back-to-back. The Scottish Champions kicked off at 5:45 pm and drew away to Shakhtar Donetsk in Poland as they recorded their first point in the group, a result that many feel could have been better given the chances created. Muchlike last week, Celtic were fast and aggressive in their press and composed on the ball as they probed for openings; however, they were pegged back by an equaliser and the game finished 1-1.
In the wake of the defeat to Real Madrid, there was an outpouring of affection towards the team, the manager and how far they had come in a short space of time. Whilst Real Madrid had won the game 3-0, Celtic had been competitive and, arguably, the better team across the first hour. Even when Carlo Ancelotti’s side turned on the style, the Celtic supporters were still hopeful of the display in the first period of the game and they stayed and paid tribute to the players and Ange. Both the players and manager took the acclaim of the supporters before heading up the tunnel, they certainly weren’t celebrating but they were responding to the gushing positivity from the fans.
A fan has compared this with the full-time scenes at Ibrox this evening as Rangers lost 3-0 to Napoli. The Italians go top of the table with six points and a +6 goal difference whilst Rangers sit bottom with a -7 goal difference. The comparisons are staggering and the show the different feelings around both clubs at this moment in time.
Celtic lose 3 nil in their first CL home game. A nearly full Celtic Park sing the name of their manager Ange Postecoglou.
Rangers lose 3 nil in their first CL home game. A nearly empty Ibrox boos their team off the park. Captain hides in the dressing room afterwards…again pic.twitter.com/xWIeHmG73f
— andy (@AJDT1989) September 14, 2022
Celtic are back on domestic duty at the weekend with a trip to St Mirren on Sunday whilst Rangers host Dundee United at Ibrox. It will certainly be an interesting weekend as any slip-ups will result in the post-European hangover title being wheeled out again.
