The Old Firm Derby is the Scottish League match-up between 2 Glasgow heavyweights, Rangers and Celtic. These 2 are the most successful football clubs in Scotland, and their rivalry like many other soccer rivalries across the world has become part of Scottish tradition. The 2 clubs have won a total of 103 league championships between them, with Rangers winning more, 54 crowns compared to Celtics 49. So, any meeting between these 2 is always a feisty and competitive one. The latest Old Firm Derby was not an exception.
Ever since Rangers emerged from relegation to play in the 2016/17 league championship season for the 1st time since their relegation for financial difficulties in 2012, Rangers have been in the shadows of arch-rival Celtic. Every meeting between the duo had gone the way of Celtic except for some few draws, in fact, the last time Ranger won against Celtic was a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win, after regulation time scores ended 2-2, in a Scottish Cup semi-final, some 13 years ago, April 2016.
In came Steven Gerrard, who took the mantle at Ibrox at the beginning 2018/19 league season for his 1st managerial role, and what a quick turn around it has been for Rangers. Saturday, Dec 29 Old Firm Derby was Gerrard's 2nd, his 1st was a narrow one-nil lost to Brenda Rogers Celtic back in September. A controversial one, as far as Gerrard and Ranger's camp were concerned. It would be recalled that Rangers felt undone by the center official when their player Ryan Jack was fouled by Celtic's Tom Rogic in the build-up to Celtics winning goal scored by Olivier Ntcham, and Ranger's manager Steven Gerrard claimed to have overheard the 4th official shouting
'foul, foul, foul' down the mic.-BBCSports
The kind of controversies that makes derby matches a must to watch, Isn't it?
Coming into this reversed fixtures, it was clear what Rangers had in their mind, to avenge the September lost, and what a dominant display by Rangers, Celtic were on the back foot for the entirety of the match, and if not for the heroics of their goalkeeper Craig Gordon, Celtic would have been whitewashed at Ibrox. Rangers midfield trio of Ross McCrorie, Scott Arfield (with the Man of the Match performance) and Jack Ryan alongside forward and Liverpool loanee Ryan Kent were magnificent on the day, with Kents fine work down the left side and a cut back for Jack to side footed through Gordons leg into the net for Rangers goal. Celtic had the ball in Rangers net in one of the few opportunities they've got but was correctly adjudged offside.
here is the highlights;
In his post-match remarks, Ranger's coach Steven Gerrard said;
this moment is all about the supporters, they've been through a lot, and certainly, in this fixture, they've been punished a lot...-Skysports
That speaks a lot about what the Old Firm Derby means to Rangers and its supporters.
In his remarks, Celtics manager Brenda Rogers agreed to been outplayed by Rangers, he said;
I thought the best team won. Rangers played well in the game, and we had a lot of unforced mistakes, did not create as much as wed like, we've got no excuses.- Skysports
Sounds like a coach that takes the blame for his team and not some certain moaner.
It is an important and well-deserved win for Gerrard and his Rangers, a derby win that Gerard will relish for a while.
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