Whilst it was only really a competitive game of football for 60 minutes this was still our best showing of the season in my eyes.
Rangers had a degree of success in the last derby by putting our defenders under pressure with a high press and forcing them into making mistakes (see Rangers first goal at Ibrox). Whilst there is no doubt that the same vulnerabilities remain within this Celtic side (that and a vulnerability to pacey counter attacks) it was never tested as Rangers chose to abandon that plan in favour of sitting deep and attempting to frustrate Celtic.
The problem with that is the fact that Rangers don't have the strength in defence or midfield to cut the supply line to a richer, stronger and more powerful Celtic attacking machine- which at times looked at its very best, rising to the occasion. The first half genuinely surprised me as Celtic both seized and were handed the initiative. Strong, quick and dangerous running from Dembele, the measured passing of Ntcham and the controlled aggression of Brown marshalling the troops met in equal measure by a lack of positional discipline and dreadful passing by the Rangers team.
Rangers would pay a heavy price for a passive first half. This was a focused Celtic side who appeared to relish the opportunity to assert their superiority. Each pass was crisp and laced with attacking intent , each tackle and 50/50 won to beat back any Rangers forward momentum and hem the Ibrox club in their own half (Stats at one point showed 3% of the game being played in the Celtic half). Brown, McGregor and Ntcham were everywhere but it was the Wizard of Oz, Tam Rogic, who would break the deadlock, the ball fed into him inside the box, he used his dancing feet to work half a yard and then placed the ball into the bottom corner with his weaker right foot.
Celtics second goal would be a defensive calamity from on loan Ranger Russell Martin. His failure to clear a routine crossed ball from Tierney would land at the feet of McGregor who would curl a controlled shot on the half volley into the top corner of the net from just inside the box, the keeper having no chance whatsoever.
I will admit to thinking Rangers could not play any worse in the second half but there was more drama before the break as Halliday was subbed off in the aftermath of the second goal and did not look pleased, though admittedly something really did have to change.
The game as a contest was ended early in the second half as a slick pass from Ntcham left Dembele running one one one with McCrorie. The defender made the inteception but with not enough force to send the ball straight back to the goalkeeper. In the ensuing contest to get to the ball the inexperienced defender took hold of Dembele's shirt and continued to hold on until the Celtic defender travelled into the box, at which point the Frenchman took a tumble.
The referee decided that this had not been a genuine attempt to win the ball and therefore awarded both the red card and the penalty. Even had Dembele not scored the penalty the contest was over but he chose to put the icing on the cake by nonchalantly dinking the ball into the net with Foderingham guessing the wrong way. 3-0 with a man advantage and the best part of 35 minutes plus injury time to go- I wondered if we could better the 5-1 at Ibrox last season.
Yet this would be Rangers best 5 minute period of the match. Morelos with a powerful header that Gordon produced a stunning save, then repeating the feat from the ensuing corner with Alves denied. Then a moment that summed up a bizarre showing from Rangers. Lustig miscues a clearance that sails over Gordon and onto the bar, Morelos follows up taking extra touches, only to fire the ball into the prostrate Gordon on the deck from only 5 yards out.
The match from that moment on was an exhibition of showboating, punctuated by Holt fouling Roberts in the box and Ntcham tucking the ball into the side netting for a 4-0 final scoreline.
I feel like Celtic could have scored more goals but the fact that they proceeded to just pass Rangers out the game was almost a more stark humiliation.
Middle to front I thought we looked really good, such a massive contrast to some of our more recent games. It is ironic that I wrote earlier that I would just want to "get it done"- when this was arguably Celtics most dominant display of the season.
Celtic 4-0 Rangers
posted on 15/4/18
Reports are like wallpaper. Well structured and correct.
Perspective is lacking where content is rife.
posted on 15/4/18
Fair assessment UTC 👍
posted on 15/4/18
Personally I find UTC the best for after match analytical posting. Just my opinion but keep up the good work UTC
posted on 15/4/18
comment by GTB... (U14017)
posted 2 minutes ago
Personally I find UTC the best for after match analytical posting. Just my opinion but keep up the good work UTC
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Agreed. But I am most concise. Today’s concise match report
Celtic excellent
Rangers sch!te
Couldn’t sum it up better than that 👍
posted on 15/4/18
comment by HelpMordorPolis (U4292)
posted 12 minutes ago
Reports are like wallpaper. Well structured and correct.
Perspective is lacking where content is rife.
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Have you run out of drink?
posted on 15/4/18
I enjoy his reports. They're not groundbreaking analysis but even the professionals can be a bit tell me something I don't know already, but they are objective and accurate. There's also no gloating which on here can be rare.
posted on 15/4/18
Just started quebec!
Only kidding, I'm not having a pop at a person. Like Tom, I'm allowed my opinion.
posted on 15/4/18
comment by HelpMordorPolis (U4292)
posted 2 minutes ago
Just started quebec!
Only kidding, I'm not having a pop at a person. Like Tom, I'm allowed my opinion.
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Now that you mention it.
It's an hour after beer O'clock.
posted on 15/4/18
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 15/4/18
I’ve not played in about 2 months but in truth barely half the 5’s players these days are forum guys