Journalist shares ‘bizarre’ jibe ahead of Rangers ViaPlay Cup final clash v Celtic
Scottish Daily Express journalist Douglas Dickie believes the thin-skinned nature in and around Celtic before their Viaplay Cup final clash against Rangers is “bizarre”.
Dickie is referring to the Ange Postecoglou “lucky” and Chris Sutton comments made by Michael Beale recently which have caused quite a stir at Parkhead.
The journalist confessed that Celtic are clear favourites to win the ViaPlay Cup final clash but despite this, the underdog status of Rangers will make them win.
“Rangers could be missing someone very important on Sunday. I’m not talking about Scotland’s most talented player Malik Tillman, but there is surely a question mark as to whether Michael Beale will make it out of Celtic heads after firmly lodging himself there these past few weeks,” said Dickie as quoted by the Scottish Daily Express.
“After Ange Postecoglou was clearly irked by a fairly innocuous ‘lucky’ comment, Chris Sutton is still moaning about Beale’s Chelsea jibe while the Rangers gaffer moved on long ago. Fashion Sakala even joined the party this week with his ‘other mob’ comments. There is a lot of thin skin among the Parkhead faithful and it is all the more bizarre given Celtic are the clear favourites to lift the cup at Hampden.
“Perhaps they realise there is more than a hint of truth to Beale’s comments that his Aussie rival has benefitted greatly from a hefty transfer pot to build a strong squad rather than being some sort of miracle worker.
“But it is that strength in depth that makes the challenge facing Rangers a daunting one. While results have matched Celtic point for point since Beale’s arrival, there is still a vast chasm in performances. And yet, being the underdog is likely to suit the Ibrox side, especially if it lets them utilise the pace of Sakala and Ryan Kent.
“Much will depend on the fitness of Tillman and the acquisition of Nicolas Raskin looks like very good business indeed. Rangers must avoid an early blow, the kind of which they’ve had to deal with in the last three Old Firm games. If they can get through that first 30 minutes unscathed, then they have the players to go on and deliver silverware.”
Big performance.
Dickie isn’t wrong in his thinking that Celtic are the favourites going into this one but that may very well play in Rangers’ favour.
Malik Tillman being fit will be a huge bonus for the Ibrox side, with the youngster proving he can be the go-to man for Beale in big-game clutch moments.
Even if the American can play some part in the Viaplay Cup final, it will be better than him missing out on the action altogether.
Raskin could also prove to be a pivotal cog for Beale to utilise and has shown in recent weeks that he is very much that guy that fans had been hoping he would be.
There is a rattled sense of feeling around Celtic at the moment though and adding a cup-final win to this would only make the tense mood turn even sourer.
Sunday provides Rangers with a real chance to cause a massive upset and it’s one the squad must seize with both hands.
In other Rangers news, the Ibrox bank is set for a cash boost after a document emerged on Wednesday.