- Rangers’ comeback keeps Scottish championship race fiercely contested
- Philippe Clement’s tactical maneuvers help Rangers claw back against Celtic
- Matondo’s late equaliser sparks excitement, intensifying the title battle
The Scottish championship race, which has been the closest in over a decade, is still too close to declare definitive following Rangers’ potentially season-changing comeback.
Despite an initially improbable draw, Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic led Philippe Clement’s side by one point at the table’s summit. However, this lead may prove to be crucial. Furthermore, by effectively utilising his substitutes to rejuvenate the team, the Belgian possibly gained a psychological edge; during an extraordinary second half, he tarnished Rodgers’s formidable reputation as the tactical monarch of Glasgow.
Since replacing Michael Beale in October, Clement has undoubtedly improved Rangers’ fortunes, leading to 19 league victories. However, his squad fell behind 2-0 in the first half due to the former Liverpool and Leicester manager’s astute choreography.
While Celtic’s coach demonstrated for most of the afternoon why he had secured 80% of his previous Old Firm matches victorious, it became evident by the end that he had encountered a formidable opponent.
“We are the true winners,” Clement stated. “We have demonstrated that we merit our current position.” Although it is a formidable challenge, we are champions. “Scottish football benefits from having two teams of this calibre.”
Rodgers exuded optimism. He stated, “We are disappointed to lose, but everything is in our control.” “Playing with heart and quality energised the audience tremendously.
The opinion-dividend manager of Celtic was referred to as “the wrong man in the wrong movie” in one-weekend headline, but he quickly reverted to leading man mode.
After twenty-one seconds, James Tavernier momentarily averted a clearance directly at the onrushing Daizen Maeda after he was confronted with Joe Hart’s long kick upfield. Twenty yards away, Maeda was ecstatic as the ball ricocheted off his right shin and into the net. It is possible that Tavernier overlooked the remarkable Maeda’s swift change of speed or needed to recognise that the Japan winger was closing him down until it was too late for a stranded, erroneous Jack Butland to salvage the situation.
The 31-year-old Butland has maintained so many clean sheets for Clement’s squad that Gareth Southgate was present at Ibrox to observe him. The former England custodian was afforded ample opportunity to demonstrate his composure and reflexes amidst the unpredictable swirling gusts that characterised the second day of Storm Kathleen.
Yet, howeverland appeared not perturbed as he deftly averted Matt O’Riley’s header with a fingertip. After a VAR review, O’Riley exacted retribution by skillfully converting a penalty kick awarded for a misconduct committed against Connor Goldson.
The seemingly indifferent custodian awaited Butland’s decision before directing his kick directly down the middle. The prohibition of visiting supporters for security purposes ensured that Celtic celebrated in silence; however, the expressions of discontent became audible within a short time. An essential subject of apprehension revolved around the distress inflicted by Maeda upon Tavernier.
It was so one-sided that Hart appeared delighted to remind Southgate that he, too, once represented England by astoundingly denying Fábio Silva, as Celtic dominated the midfield through astute passing, movement, and precisely timed pressing.
Silva, prone to falling, was initially booked for collapsing excessively quickly in the area following brief contact with Alastair Johnston. However, referee John Beaton rescinded his decision following a VAR review, which identified the specific location. Rodgers expressed his displeasure with the penalty awarded. “The player conducted a few rounds of simulation.”
Tavernier significantly improved his day by drilling the free-kick into the upper corner. Cyriel Dessers nearly put the ball in the net, but a subsequent VAR review disallowed that “equaliser” on the grounds of a charge in the preamble.
Regardless, Celtic abruptly appeared unnerved as Rangers imposed a high-pressing, high-intensity tempo. Clement’s side were level when Abdallah Sima, a gifted substitute at home, capitalised on Callum McGregor’s appalling loss of possession with a significantly deflected shot.
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Two minutes later, in the 88th minute, following a magnificent pass from Paulo Bernardo, Adam Idah deceived all by forming to shoot left-footed before directing the ball beneath the diving Butland with his right. Euphoria had returned to the Ibrox.
Rabbi Matondo scored the knockout goal with a sublimely curling equaliser in stoppage time, which was set up by a combination of John Lundstram’s pass and Yang Hyun-jun’s defensive error.
It foreshadowed a minor altercation following the final siren, when Todd Cantwell shoved McGregor in the chest, but the hatred quickly dissipated—unlike an epic title race.
