In a closely contested Auld Firm clash, Philippe Clement’s unbeaten streak came to a dramatic end as Rangers succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against arch-rivals Celtic at Celtic Park. The game was marked by controversial decisions, missed opportunities, and a clinical performance from the Celtic forward line.
Paulo Bernardo scored with a clean strike after Abdallah Sima failed to clear a cross from a corner, which fell kindly for Bernardo.
Cyriel Dessers went through on goal after nicking the ball from Stephen Welsh, but failed to get a shot off before the Celtic defence recovered. Many of those watching the game felt he should have done much better. Stephen Welsh went down during this play and had to leave the pitch injured with only 35 minutes played.
No Penalty to Rangers
Just before the half time break Alistair Johnston handled the ball within the box while under pressure form Abdallah Sima. This resulted in the ball going out for a goal kick, with Sima and many at Rangers protesting to the referee for a penalty.
Relays of the incident clearly show Alistair Johstonβs hand making contact with the ball, resulting the ball being taken away from Sima and going out of play.
While this does not appear to be deliberate, this does clearly prevent the move progressing and the hand is away from the defenders body.Β
Confusion around this incident grow as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) did not ask the referee to review the incident at the pitch side monitor. Instead a goal kick was awarded.Β
This incident continued to be discoed at half time with the Sky Sports commentators all agreeing a Penalty Kick should have been awarded. Strangely, half way through the second half an image of a potential offside and a short statement aiming to clear up the incident was read out by the match commentators.Β
This stated that Abdallah Sima was offside in the build up to the incident. However, offsides can only be checked if an event of consequence had happened, normally a goal for example. As a goal kick was awarded then the VAR referee should not have been checking for offside and should have called the referee over to the monitor to review events.
Questions still remain on why it took until mid-way through the second half to clear things up, leaving players, managers, commentators, broadcasters and most importantly fans in the dark as to what had happened.
Quality in Forward Departments the Difference
Celtic extended their lead through Kyogo Furuhashi when his strike from just outside the box found the top corner. With Jack Butland getting finger tips to it, but unable to keep it out of the back of the net.
One of the clear gaps between the two teams is the difference in quality in the striking department both teams. Rangers had chances to score, and finished the game with more shots on goal and a higher expected goals than Celtic. However, the quality infant of goal is just not there at the moment. Something which Clement and the Rangers footballing board will be looking to address.
Quality in Forward Departments the Difference
Celtic extended their lead through Kyogo Furuhashi when his strike from just outside the box found the top corner. With Jack Butland getting finger tips to it, but unable to keep it out of the back of the net.
One of the clear gaps between the two teams is the difference in quality in the striking department both teams. Rangers had chances to score, and finished the game with more shots on goal and a higher expected goals than Celtic. However, the quality infant of goal is just not there at the moment. Something which Clement and the Rangers footballing board will be looking to address.
Balogun Red Card
Things went from bad to worse for Rangers when a poor touch from Leon Balogun was picked up by Kyogo who played in Daizen Maeda. In an effort to recover from him mistake Balogun fouled Maaeda and as he was the last man, this was rightly deemed a red card offence.
Further refereeing questions were raised as the match progressed with tackles seemingly worthy of a yellow card being made by both Alistair Johnston and Paulo Bernardo clattered into challenges which resulted in free kicks being awarded to Rangers.
Few would have questioned if these tackles has resulted in a yellow card being awarded. This may have proved pivotal as both players had already been booked in the match. Over the course of the game Celtic players picked up 7 yellow cards, but the referee seemed unwilling to go any further.
Captain Steps Up Again
Rangers did pull a goal back on 88 minutes when James Tavernier rocketed a free kick into the top left corner of the Celtic goal.
Nerves were evident within the Celtic team and around Celtic Park, but Rangers were unable to find an equalising goal.Β
When reflecting on the game, some of the Rangers players will likely feel they could have done more to influence the game. The likes of Todd Cantwell and Cyriel Dessers did not offer as much in attaching threat than they could have.
The red card was a turning point, but after a poor touch from Balogun he was left with little choice. There is no way he could allow the Celtic forward to progress unchallenged towards goal. At 3-0 the game would have certainly have been gone.
While Celtic’s victory eased some pressure, the match exposed areas for improvement for both teams. The referee’s decisions, particularly the VAR controversy, added an extra layer of intrigue to an already intense Auld Firm encounter. As the dust settles, Rangers face a challenging assessment of their forward department, while Celtic celebrates a hard-fought triumph in this iconic rivalry.
Rangers have played two games less, and if they can pick up maximum points from those they will find themselves two points behind the league leaders.
The title race is well and truly on and the January transfer window will be very important for both teams with so little between them.