BBC Scotland journalist makes title admission as ‘critical’ verdict shared after Rangers loss v Celtic
It was a critical and thoroughly deserved victory for Celtic as they beat Rangers on Saturday (30 December), according to Thomas Duncan.
Writing on the BBC Sport website on Saturday, the journalist said the Hoops looked like the “more coherent team” as they “neatly passed through” the Gers in their 2-1 victory at Parkhead.
He added that the result will not determine who will win the SPFL title this season, but that it was a timely reminder of the quality that Brendan Rodgers has at his disposal.
“This was a critical – and thoroughly deserved – victory for Celtic,” said Duncan. “The noise from the other side of the city was swelling after Philippe Clement’s impressive start as team boss at Ibrox, which coincided with unrest at Celtic Park over signings, a dispute with a section of the fans and poor recent results that had cut their lead.
“But here they looked the more coherent team as, for the most part, they passed neatly through Rangers. This result will not determine who wins the league, but it is a timely reminder of the champions’ quality, especially as they welcomed back Reo Hatate and Liel Abada from long-term injuries.”
Disappointing
It was a pretty disappointing performance from Rangers as they would’ve been going into the game believing that they could come away with all three points.
Celtic came out with more intensity and purpose, which saw them take a 2-0 lead through superb efforts from Paulo Bernardo and Kyogo Furuhashi in either half.
After Leon Balogun saw red following some poor defending, James Tavernier scored a late consolation, but it wasn’t enough as the Gers slipped to their first defeat under Philippe Clement.
While the impressive unbeaten run was always going to end at some stage, the last place the Belgian would’ve wanted it to come at would be the home of the Light Blues’ Old Firm rivals.
He now has to pick his side up as they look to bounce back from the defeat to ensure they stay in the title race as there are likely to be plenty of twists and turns still to come this season.
In other Rangers news, Jamie O’Hara has shared his Old Firm regret live on air.