‘I take it all back’ – Ex-Rangers coach refuses to defend ‘stupid’ Gers player after Celtic defeat
Rangers made life extremely hard for themselves on the way to losing against Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup semi final.
Danny Rohl‘s men went a goal and a man down in the first half at Hampden Park, while having another own-goal disallowed by VAR, before fighting back to level after the break.
But James Tavernier‘s penalty and Jack Butland‘s work in goal could only force extra time where the strain ultimately told and Martin O’Neill’s Celtic side scored twice more to beat Rangers 3-1.
Youssef Chermiti failed to take two wonderful Rangers chances against Celtic, but it was Thelo Aasgaard‘s 38th-minute red card which saw the Norway international branded “stupid”.
The attacking midfielder caught Anthony Ralston high with his boot as he flicked the ball up and looked to bring it down deep in the Celtic half, with Nick Walsh sending him off.
Billy Dodds slams Thelo Aasgaard over Rangers red card
The first half appeared to be going from bad to worse after a skittish defensive display was sparked by Nasser Djiga in the opening minutes.
Once Chermiti responded to Nico Raskin’s own-goal reprieve by spurning a golden opportunity at the other end, only for Johnny Kenny to take full advantage at nod Celtic into the lead, it looked like the writing was on the wall.
Once Aasgaard planted a foot into Ralston it appeared to be one-way traffic and Billy Dodds, who was back at Ibrox last season as a coach under Barry Ferguson, seemed to think as much.
Dodds said: “First impressions, I don’t know how intentional that was. He’s looking at the ball, it’s up in the air.”
“I don’t think he sees the Celtic player but his foot is really high”, Pat Bonner continued.
Dodds went on:“If he catches him he’s got to go but I don’t know whether it’s intentional or not… I don’t know if it needs all the afters [though].”
Then as he saw the replay: “Ah no he’s gone, he’s stupid. I take it all back.”
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Too little too late from Rangers
Rangers deserve credit for not throwing in the towel and Rohl deserves some for whatever he said at half time to get the second-half reaction from his players.
But the German equally appeared not to have his players ready from the get-go to contest his first Old Firm derby as they repeatedly either attempted or succeeded to press the self-destruct button in the first 45 minutes.
Chermiti and Raskin both should have scored when clean through after great balls from Mohamed Diomande and Danilo respectively but couldn’t find the net, while the entire back line looked panicked from kick off.
Jack Butland would rebound to make some excellent saves and preserve the scoreline long enough for Djeidi Gassama to win the late penalty, but after expelling so much energy to haul themselves level it was hardly a major shock to see them turned over in extra time.
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