Rangers 3-0 Celtic: Ibrox Embarrassment

By: JT | October 20th, 2007

I suppose the reason that the Glasgow derby starts at 1230 local time is to limit the potential for alcohol infused altercations between supporters of Celtic and Rangers. The real troopers just go right on through from Friday night into Saturday and sleep it off the rest of the day. I wish I’d done that too, and had about three liters of Jameson’s in my system when I watched the match this morning, because I’d like to forget every last minute that I took in.

Rangers thoroughly whipped Celtic in all phases of the game except for yellow cards, because Celtic piled up an astounding NINE to Rangers TWO. But that’s not what made the difference.

Nacho Novo got Rangers on the board first after splitting makeshift rightback Darren O’Dea and Gary Caldwell with a diving header. Celtic still have serious trouble covering the back side of crosses, and locating opponents in the box. Its an obvious weakness which I hope can be worked out, although you would think that might have taken place by now.

Right before the half, Celtic skipper Stephen McManus was stretchered off the pitch after a nasty head to head collision with Rangers striker Daniel Cousin. McManus took a knock to the head last week while on Scotland duty, so hopefully he’ll be OK and there won’t be any long term effects.

At the start of the second half, Celtic came out looking pretty good. I thought it was only a matter of time until they grabbed an equalizer and it would be game on. Nothing would come of all the Bhoys’ pressure though, and Rangers skipper Barry Ferguson made them pay near the hour mark. Again an opponent was somehow lost between two Celtic defenders, and Ferguson managed to slot home a beauty from about ten yards out.

Evander Sno’s clumsy challenge on Charlie Adam made for an easy penalty call for ref Mike McCurry who otherwise had a terrible outing. Nacho Novo sent Artur Boruc the wrong way, and immediately left the pitch to a standing ovation. Celtic were lucky to not concede a fourth as a poor offside call ruled out another Rangers score.

As usually happens, a healthy scrap between the rivals took place right before the end of the match. Lee Naylor and Alan Hutton got into it, and several others including both goalkeepers and O’Dea received yellow cards for their trouble. Hutton deserved to see red, and probably should have been on a yellow already, but the ref was undoubtedly more lenient when dealing with Rangers’ players on this particular afternoon.

In the end, a poor performance for most all the squad. Caldwell, sub Aiden McGeady, and Jiri Jarosik were really the only Hoops who came to play today. When your best chances come from Jarosik and Massimo Donati, its going to be a long day.

Celtic and Rangers are tied at the top of the SPL at the moment, with the Bhoys ahead on goal difference and Hibs a point back playing at Motherwell as we speak.