Sky Sports pundits react to controversy in ‘extraordinary’ Celtic start v Rangers
Rangers made the worst start they could have in the Old Firm derby, but Ally McCoist saw nothing wrong with Celtic’s opening goal.
Reo Hatate opened the scoring for the home side inside five minutes, with two Gers defenders lying in the penalty area when the Japanese January arrival’s shot went inside Allan McGregor’s post.
Despite complaints from the men in Light Blue the goal was awarded and the Ibrox favourite agreed with the decision, as Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo looked to have wiped each other out in the build up.
Speaking live on the Sky Sports match broadcast, co-commentator Andy Walker asked: “Ally, any complaints?”
And the visitors record goalscorer replied: “No, not at all, not at all. I think actually what happens is that two Rangers defenders run into each other.
“And fair play to Hetate, Andy.
Former Hoops player Walker hailed the “extraordinary start” before McCoist went on to say: “I’m not sure what Tavernier’s upset about.
“I genuinely can’t see anything”.
Nightmare start
With all the momentum heading into the game on the side of the chasing Celtic side Giovanni van Bronckhorst would have wanted to arrest that immediately.
Instead the Light Blues were played off the park for the opening half an hour, with only some excellent Allan McGregor saves keeping the the deficit at one.
Roared on by a home crowd that had no visiting contingent to content with, Ange Postecoglou’s men were first to everything and Gers could not cope with the speed of play.
Things will have to improve significantly in the second half of this crucial clash.
Ranger’s lead at the top of the table was down to only two points heading into the derby, and on the first half showing they should be very concerned indeed for the second half of the season.
In other Rangers news, Chris Sutton could not help a last wind-up before the game.