Rangers draw shows European involvement has made Celtic title favourites
The draw at home to Motherwell shows that Celtic have an advantage over Rangers in the title race because of European football.
The historic night at Ibrox on Thursday (24 February) saw the Light Blues knock Europa League favourites Borussia Dortmund out of the competition just hours after their Glasgow rivals had exited the third-tier Conference League.
Both the title rivals dropped points today (Sunday 27 February) back on domestic duty, with the Hoops held to a goalless draw at Hibs before Gers threw away a two-goal lead against The Steelmen.
The result has confirmed fears that continued European involvement will hamper the reigning champions in their league title defence, against a side now free of continental concerns.
After both of the magnificent results against German giants Dortmund, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side have suffered frustrating draws in the league.
That has seen the gap at the top extended to three points last week, and the chance to claw back ground go begging this time out.
Cost of success
After the midweek results the knock-on effect could have gone either way.
Fans would have hoped that the psychological boost from the deserved conquering of Dortmund would push them on domestically.
Conversely over at Parkhead, the nature of their limp exit against Bodo/Glimt, a comprehensive home loss followed by a trip to the Arctic circle to have their defeat confirmed, and the subsequent mockery from the likes of Ally McCoist (Daily Record), could have put doubt in their minds.
On the Celtic side of things that looks to have come to fruition, and had Gers seen out the result they had in their grasp today it would be a very different story.
As it is, questions need to be asked of van Bronckhorst, deservedly lauded for his tactical switch on Thursday, for twice expecting the same players to lift themselves for another outing days after big European nights.
A single change for Dundee United saw his players labour to break down the defence at Tannadyce.
It took the introduction of Fashion Sakala and Amad Diallo to finally inject some menace late on.
And only two changes for The Well’s visit to Ibrox, with one being the Zambian who scored, again failed to utilise his squad.
The two possible explanations are that either the Dutchman has failed to gauge his players’ ability to perform, or he doesn’t have confidence in his squad, and neither are positive.
Football can change fast and the title is far from lost, but the difference between three points and one today was massive.
Back-to-back draws following European exertions raise doubts about how the Ibrox side will cope with upcoming ties against Red Star Belgrade.
In other Rangers news, Sky Sports pundit suggests the captain needs to take one player aside to improve him.