O’Hara hits back at Rangers fan over Celtic comment on talkSPORT – ‘Oh come on’
Rangers created another European night to remember as they edged past Fenerbahce to reach the Europa League quarter-finals.
Barry Ferguson and his side overcame Jose Mourinho and his Turkish giants despite losing their two-goal aggregate advantage, with a penalty shootout deciding the Light Blues’ fate in their favour.
Having reached the last eight, Rangers have set up a two-legged tie with Athletic Club next month, flying the flag for Scotland in Europe.
Rangers fan gets Celtic dig in before O’Hara leaps to defence
Rangers supporters were in pandemonium in Govan on Thursday night as ‘Ibroxonia’ and ‘I’m Feeling It’ echoed around the sea of blue.
Many took to social media and radio phone-ins to pour out their emotions as the dramatic scenes at Ibrox fell in Gers’ and Ferguson’s favour.
There is little time for the team to enjoy the victory right now, though, as the Old Firm against Celtic lies in wait on Sunday (16 March).
One Rangers fan, called Frank, featured live on air with Jamie O’Hara and Jermaine Pennant following the conclusion of the Europa League ties, and couldn’t resist a jibe at Celtic en route to congratulating his own team’s success.
O’Hara leapt to the defence of the arch-rivals, claiming they had given a good account of themselves in the Champions League this season – eventually knocked out narrowly by Bayern Munich.
“Rangers are the team that are doing it in Europe – not Celtic,” Frank said on talkSPORT‘s Sports Bar (13 March, 23:05).
O’Hara responded: “You had to get that dig in, didn’t you?
“Oh come on, mate, give credit where it’s due – Celtic haven’t half done well in the Champions League, they’ve qualified,” he laughed.
Rangers cannot let European hangover affect Old Firm
Rangers had a full week to prepare for the return leg at Ibrox having won 3-1 out in Istanbul on 6 March. Whether that was beneficial or not is another question, with risk of overanalysing the lead they took home from Turkiye.
Fenerbahce were in the same boat, with neither side competing in any domestic matches last weekend. However their task was simple to read – make up the two goals. They did so, but failed to oblige in the shootout as the under-pressure Jack Butland claimed the heroics with a pair of massive saves.
While Rangers look back on the latest episode of their love affair with the Europa League, the Old Firm is approaching rapidly and at Celtic Park, there will be no room for respite.
| Scottish league titles won | |
| Rangers | 55 |
| Celtic | 54 |
| Aberdeen | 4 |
| Hearts | 4 |
| Hibernian | 4 |
| Dumbarton | 2 |
Celtic want to get the league title sewn up as quickly as possible, and even if they weren’t in that position, their fans want the win more than anything.
Rangers supporters – most watching from afar rather than inside the stadium – will have exactly the same feeling, regardless of the inevitable league outcome.
They simply must dust themselves off and give a good account of themselves against the old enemy or Thursday will be blemished in the eyes of many.