Where’s Yer Title Race Then?: A Rangers-Celtic Match Report

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP: SUNDAY 11th MARCH 2018; RANGERS 2 (WINDASS 3’, CANDEIAS 26’) CELTIC 3 (ROGIC 11’, DEMBELE 45’, EDOUARD 69’)

Ten men Celtic recorded a fourth successive victory at Ibrox to go nine points clear of Rangers with a game in hand and end all talk of a title race.

Brendan Rodgers made two changes to the side which defeated Morton last week, Scott Bain making his debut, replacing Dorus de Vries who picked up an ankle injury in training, and Dedryck Boyata returning after a month to replace Marvin Compper, who didn’t even make the bench.

The decision to start Boyata backfired as early as the third minute, as he lost possession to Josh Windass who hammered home past Bain to give Rangers the lead.

Thankfully the Hoops responded only eight minutes later, and what a goal it was, Tom Rogic curling home a superb strike from 25 yards out. 1-1 after only 11 minutes.

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Sadly our crappy defence struck again in the 26th minute, as a cross managed to elude a load of Celtic players in the box until it fell to Daniel Candeias who put Rangers back into the lead.

The Hoops then had their best period of the game, as they pinned Rangers in looking for an equaliser. Callum McGregor came close before Moussa Dembele got onto the end of a Scott Brown punt up the park in first-half injury time and he lofted a shot over Foderingham. 2-2 at half-time.

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The second-half started fairly quietly until Jozo Simunovic was sent-off for a daft elbow on Alfredo Morelos in the 57th minute, in a decision made by the (Tory) assistant referee, who saw the incident and told Willie Collum about it.

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To be fair, it was a daft thing for Jozo to do, and it’s not the first time he has let his team-mates down this season.

Anyway, this didn’t affect the Bhoys that much, Brendan Rodgers replaced James Forrest with Osonne Edouard and Jack Hendry replaced Rogic as the Hoops moved to four at the back, and the move paid off when Edouard curled home what proved to be the winning goal in the...69th minute. 3-2 to the Hoops!

Unsurprisingly the Hoops began to tire, and there was still time for Alfredo “£20 million” Morelos to miss an absolute sitter. Oh the hilarity.

The final whistle brought scenes of great celebration, with Scott Brown at the forefront as usual, as the Bhoys all but clinched yet another league title.

Credit must be given to the manager for his tactical change, and the players who stood up and were counted against the greatest Rangers team ever, apparently.

The Hoops go marching on, next stop Motherwell as seven in a row gets closer by the week.

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