Celtic remains in the course for a domestic triple, but does the loss in the last two games of older firms in Scottish football mean?
Brendan Rodgers’ side is 13 clear points at the top of the Prime Minister’s Office, but does the old back-back firm lose for the first time in over four years suggest that the breast is not what it was once?
Even the manager admitted that he has “something to think” after accepting six goals in their last two matches in the league against their rivals.
Fatigue did not look much for a matter for Rangers after using their Europa League in exploitation while Barry Ferguson became the first manager of the club since Walter Smith in 1991 to win his first old Celtic Park firm game.
Did we learn from Thriller with five goals in Parkhead?
Is the mentality an issue for Celtic?
Celtic were under their best against Rangers
Rodgers has often praised the “mental severity” of his Celtic players this season as they extended the lead of their competition for titles, gripped the League Cup and impressed him in the Champions League.
But why have they failed to show the same determination against Rangers this season when there is not so much in the discussion?
The victory on Sunday would have received Celtic within two victories of another title. Even with the loss, the hoops will grip the title given their almost insurmountable superiority.
The title was everything, but it was when Hoops lost 3-0 in Ibrox in January, with Rangers earlier won in May 2013 when the title was already completed.
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Celtic chief Brendan Rodgers expects his players to dance while marching towards the title
You should look back in season 2021/22 in when the rangers last won one SIGNIFICANT The old firm collision. Rangers caused losses in Ange Postecoglou in his old firm debut before knocking them from the Scottish cup later that season.
Celtic are on their way to what would be a 13th title of the Prime Minister in 14 seasons and potentially a triple six in nine years.
With such standards that are set, Rodgers are looking for more from his team in derbies in particular, with one remaining in Ibrox this season.
“It doesn’t matter if you are a point ahead or 16 points ahead, you have to play with personality and we haven’t done it.”
Is Ferguson the man who will lead the rangers forward?
Barry Ferguson is in charge of the Rangers by the end of the season
The character of Rangers players has been questioned regularly during a deplorable internal campaign.
An exit of the Scottish Cup on League One Queen’s Park and the six prime minister’s losses highlighted weaknesses on the fragile side.
But they continued to impress in Europe and now, after Barry Ferguson took over, they have passed Fenerbahce in the Europa League and won at Celtic Park for the first time since 2020.
“It takes a certain time to be a very good Rangers player. My group of players are probably starting to show this,” Ferguson said after Sunday’s victory.
The question is why they are impressed in so -called bigger games while fighting against teams that should be able to beat?
Rangers have won two of this season’s old Florem League games, while once lost in Celtic Park. It is no longer head with their rivals that will cost them the title again this season.
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Rangers’ coach Barry Ferguson’s head greeted the Rangers spirit after the win
Ferguson is responsible until the end of the season and has insisted he is no longer looking for.
“I’m thinking, just make sure I go to a good run. This group of players continue to try to improve every single day we are in training and then come in late May, I’ll be away at a family holiday.
“Honestly, if you know me and whoever is close to me, I don’t think anymore in my contract.
“So what I have a job to do is come here and lists some issues, slowly but for sure.
“I and the training staff and all those who are still in the club, we’re going in the right direction.
“But there are still many things that we can improve as a group of players, but also inside the training center, and that’s something we are desperate to do.”
When can Celtic win Celtic premiership?
The victory on Sunday would have moved Celtic within two victories of another league title.
With 12 points needed, they can connect it before splitting the first six if all three matches and drops of Rangers fall.
Rodgers will not worry too much when the title comes, but he will hope to take his side in Ibrox for the last meeting of the season as champions.
Despite Sunday’s disappointment, the manager has still lost three of the 22 derivatives for which he has taken responsibility, giving him a percentage of unsurpassed victory from another manager in the history of each club.
Return of old firm fans
Fans away returned to the old League’s old collision for the first time since 2023
Old fans of the old firm returned to the League match for the first time since 2023, with almost two and a half thousand Rangers supporters allowed in Celtic Park.
They had to be within two hours before the start, but they made a lot of noise until after full time.
There is no doubt that the added support adds to matches with loud celebrations in all purposes, rather than a strange silence as in previous games.
The Rangers had lost their last four games in Ibrox, though by advancing the past Fenerbahce in the penalty, so it is probably an extension to suggest you have their supporter that it was why they won.
One thing is clear: they added to the atmosphere to a great match that always matter
