Rangers 3-0 Celtic: Can Philippe Clement’s side build on inflicting Brendan Rodgers’ first defeat since the Old Firm? | Football news
Rangers were exhausted, but it was a win they deserved against a Celtic side that looked unbeatable in the Scottish Premiership until the start of the game.
Philippe Clement finished his Old Firm hoodoo with the result he felt they deserved in last month’s League Cup final, but how much can they count on in the second half of the season?
Celtic were furious, but they came to a horrendous halt at Ibrox as they failed to show any of the pace and desire that saw them take a commanding lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Although a title challenge is still beyond Rangers’ reach, will this be the result that changes their season? And will Brendan Rodgers bounce back immediately after his first defeat of the season and his second ever in an Old Firm game?
Boyd: The Rangers have to back it up
Former Rangers attacker Chris Boyd on Sky Sports:
“Away, Rangers were nowhere near good enough. Ibrox wasn’t the problem, Thursday night European football wasn’t the problem. It cost Rangers away away from home.
“We’ve seen performances like this but they have to back it up. They’ll be at Easter Road, Dens Park next week. These are the games that will tell us more.
“I can enjoy tonight, but then I think the reality will set in that you’re still 11 points behind, but not taking anything away from Rangers, I told the man they were excellent today.
“They were looking for players to come in, we said at the top of the show that there could be an opportunity for players who haven’t played to come in and stake a claim – I thought Ridvan Yilmaz was excellent, I thought Dujon Sterling and Robin Propper played like real defenders – okay, Celtic didn’t look for them much – and Jefte was up and down all day.
“Nicolas Raskin was outstanding, Vaclav Cerny and Ianis Hagi with that bit of quality. It’s a good day for Rangers, but then imagine where this team has been? We’ve seen it briefly.”
Lennon: Celtic flails like a ‘clip around the ear’
Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon on Sky Sports:
“The key is whether this is the catalyst for a good second half of the season for Rangers. Let’s face it, the first half of the season was nowhere near good enough. Today’s performance was excellent from the goalkeeper to the forwards.
“They created a lot of chances and there was flow for them but it’s one game. The key now is if they can go to Easter Road on Sunday and have the same mindset to be consistent to close the gap on Celtic.
“For Celtic this will be an ear clip and they will go again. There was a bit of apathy in this game but Rangers fans will go away delighted with what they saw today.
“From Celtic’s point of view, it’s a reset.”
Rangers condemn coin toss
Celtic substitute Arne Engels was hit by a coin thrown by a Rangers fan towards the end of their win at Ibrox.
The club record signing appeared to be hit right above the eye as he was about to be cornered by a police officer who promptly bagged him for evidence.
A Rangers spokesman said: “Rangers FC condemns this incident in the strongest possible terms.
“The club can confirm that they will be assisting Police Scotland with their investigation.”
