Celtic stay on the right track for a home treble, however does defeat within the final two Outdated Agency video games counsel their grip on Scottish soccer is starting to weaken?
Brendan Rodgers’ aspect are 13 factors clear on the prime of the Premiership, however does back-to-back Outdated Agency defeats for the primary time in over 4 years counsel the gulf is not what it as soon as was?
Even the supervisor admitted he has “something to think about” after conceding six objectives of their final two league video games in opposition to their rivals.
Tiredness did not seem a lot of a problem for Rangers after their Europa League exploits as Barry Ferguson grew to become the membership’s first supervisor since Walter Smith in 1991 to win his first Outdated Agency sport at Celtic Park.
What did we be taught from the five-goal thriller at Parkhead?
Is mentality a problem for Celtic?
Celtic have been beneath their finest in opposition to Rangers
Rodgers has typically praised the “mental toughness” of his Celtic gamers this season as they stretched their title race lead, clinched the League Cup and impressed within the Champions League.
However why have they failed to point out that very same willpower in opposition to Rangers this season when there is not as a lot at stake?
Victory on Sunday would have taken Celtic to inside two wins of one other title. Even with defeat, the Hoops will clinch the title given their virtually insurmountable lead.
The title was all however performed when the Hoops misplaced 3-0 at Ibrox in January, with Rangers beforehand successful in Could 2013 when the title was already wrapped up.
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Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers expects his gamers to bounce again as they march in direction of the title
It’s important to look again to the 2021/22 season to when Rangers final received a significant Outdated Agency conflict. Rangers inflicted defeat on Ange Postecoglou in his Outdated Agency debut, earlier than knocking them out of the Scottish Cup later that season.
Celtic are properly on their option to what could be a thirteenth Premiership title in 14 seasons and doubtlessly a sixth treble in 9 years.
With such requirements having been set, Rodgers is demanding extra from his group within the derbies particularly, with one remaining at Ibrox this season.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re one point ahead or 16 points ahead, you have to play with personality and we haven’t done that.”
Is Ferguson the person to take Rangers ahead?
Barry Ferguson is in cost at Rangers till the tip of the season
The character of the Rangers gamers has been questioned often throughout a dismal home marketing campaign.
A Scottish Cup exit to League One Queen’s Park and 6 Premiership defeats highlighted weaknesses within the fragile aspect.
However they continued to impress in Europe and now, since Barry Ferguson took cost, they’ve previous Fenerbahce within the Europa League and received at Celtic Park for the primary time since 2020.
“It takes a certain time to be a very good Rangers player. My group of players are certainly starting to show that,” Ferguson stated after Sunday’s win.
The query is why are they impressing within the so-called greater video games whereas struggling in opposition to groups they need to have the ability to beat?
Rangers have received two of this season’s Outdated Agency league video games, whereas shedding as soon as at Celtic Park. It’s not their head-to-head with their rivals that’s going to price them the title once more this season.
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Rangers head coach Barry Ferguson hailed Rangers’ spirit after the win
Ferguson is in cost till the tip of the season and has insisted he isn’t wanting any additional forward.
“I’m thinking, just make sure I go on a good run. This group of players keep trying to improve every single day we’re in training and then come the end of May, I’ll be away on a family holiday.
“Truthfully, if you understand me and anyone who’s near me, I do not suppose additional forward in my contract.
“So what I’ve got a job to do is to come in here and sort a few issues, slowly but surely.
“Myself and the teaching employees, and all people who’s nonetheless on the membership, we’re moving into the precise route.
“But there’s still a lot of things that we can improve on as a group of players, but also within the training centre, and that’s something that we’re desperate to do.”
When can Celtic win the Premiership?
Victory on Sunday would have moved Celtic to inside two wins of one other league title.
With 12 factors wanted, they will clinch it earlier than the top-six break up IF they win all three video games and Rangers drop factors.
Rodgers will not be too involved when the title comes, however he will probably be hoping to take his aspect to Ibrox for the ultimate assembly of the season as champions.
Regardless of Sunday’s disappointment, the supervisor has nonetheless solely misplaced three of the 22 derbies he is taken cost of, giving him a win proportion unsurpassed by another supervisor in both membership’s historical past.
The return of away Outdated Agency followers
Away followers returned to the Outdated Agency league conflict for the primary time since 2023
Away Outdated Agency followers returned to the league fixture for the primary time since 2023, with virtually two-and-a-half thousand Rangers supporters allowed into Celtic Park.
They needed to be inside two hours earlier than kick-off however they made loads of noise till after full-time.
There isn’t any doubt the added help provides to the fixtures with loud celebrations in any respect the objectives, quite than a wierd silence as in earlier video games.
Rangers had misplaced their final 4 matches at Ibrox, albeit progressing previous Fenerbahce on penalties, so it’s most likely a stretch to counsel having their very own supporter there was why they received.
One factor is evident: they added to the ambiance at an excellent fixture that all the time issues.
