Ibrox mauling should precipitate Celtic reset

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The Celtic Star

·3 Januari 2025

Ibrox mauling should precipitate Celtic reset

It was galling to watch Celtic capitulate in such a dramatic way during the 3-0 defeat at the hands of an under-strength theRangers…

Adam Idah of Celtic blocks Hamza Igamane of Rangers during the Scottish Premiership match at Ibrox. Rangers v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, 02 January 2025. Photo O Rourke Shutterstock

Celtic didn’t turn up

The seers in green and white replica tops were predicting 4-0, 5-0, or more before the first whistle. They almost got it right, but sadly, in reverse. It’s fair to say that, with one or two exceptions, Celtic didn’t turn up. In fact, should theRangers have taken their chances, it could easily have been more, hitting the bar and the post.

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What an embarrassment

What an embarrassment that would have been but look at the stats in previous tussles with the boys in blue. 3-3 at Ibrox, 3-3 at Hampden and now, 3-0 this morning.

Liam Scales blocks as Vaclav Cerny of Rangers shoots during the Scottish Premiership match at Ibrox, Rangers v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Photo O Rourke/Shutterstock

That’s nine goals conceded to a team who were, before this match, lying 14 points adrift of the Champions. That’s an appalling number of goals to lose in this fixture. It seems obvious that there are players who need to be moved on with higher quality performers introduced to the squad. You know who they are. Just check Sandman’s Definitive Ratings for more details.

Lack of fight demonstrated at Ibrox is, quite frankly, unforgivable

It’s bad enough that they lack the skillset to acquire a starting berth in Brendan Rodgers’ team, but the lack of fight demonstrated at Ibrox is, quite frankly, unforgivable. Something is amiss at Parkhead and needs to be brought to the fore.

READ THIS…Sandman’s Definitive Ratings – Celtic at Count Orlok’s Castle

Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic looks on following the SPL Premier League match between Rangers FC and Celtic FC at Ibrox on January 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Arne Engels cost Celtic a staggering, £11,000,000. Adam Idah £9,000,000.

That’s £20,000,000 in cold, hard cash, and despite the occasional piece of brilliance from both of them, I find this hard to fathom. They are both decent players, but at those prices, we should be offered a better return.

Defence flatters to deceive

Our defence flatters to deceive as demonstrated recently against so-called lesser opposition, some who could well have cantered into a 3-0 lead before half time. There’s a fragility which needs to be solidified.

When our midfield is challenged by a team who sit on top of them, they struggle to break free. It’s all well and good playing free-flowing football when teams are sitting in. When they don’t…

Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic reacts during the SPL Premier League match between Rangers FC and Celtic FC at Ibrox Stadium on January 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Top of the tree with an 11 points lead

Still sitting atop of the tree with an 11 points lead is a good bumper, but, if it were not for a raft of recent poor performances across the city, our frailties may have been exposed, just as they were at Ibrox. It was an appalling display, gutless and shoddy from start to finish. The fans are embarrassed, disgusted even, and are, according to social media discussions, demanding a reset. Let’s see it Celtic.

Once again, Celtic players and staff have been targeted by missiles thrown from the Ibrox stands. Arne Engels was floored by a coin which just missed his eye by millimetres. Brendan Rodgers endured an attack by the same means whilst patrolling his dugout.

Scotland’s Shame

Arne Engels hit by coins at Ibrox

Glass bottles shattered in Joe Hart’s penalty box, at Ibrox, a Celtic physio requiring stitches to his head, at Ibrox, seven Celtic supporters have been hit on the head by objects including small Buckfast bottles, now, the Engels and Rodgers debacle, at Ibrox.

What should be done? Will Ibrox Stadium see its doors closed for the foreseeable future, or will Celtic do a 180º and ban their ‘fans’ from Celtic Park permanently?

Undiluted bigotry

Will the authorities finally find the gumption to arrest this appalling trend and do what they have been tasked with? I’m not a gambling man but I know where my money would be placed on that issue and of course nothing with be said about their hateful, sectarian and racist songbook. Sometimes we hear that it’s only a minority who sign these evil chants, yesterday it sounded like 50,000 to those watching on television screens around the world. Scotland’s shame indeed.

Nicolas Kühn of Celtic was injured during the Scottish Premiership match at Ibrox on 2nd January 2025. Photo Neil Hanna Sportimage

There are many positives

Upwards and onwards Bhoys and Ghirls – it’s not all gloom and doom despite that result. We’ve got the Premier Sports League Cup in our trophy room and we’ve all but secured the League Flag before New Year.

The Scottish Cup will be one to watch as it we hope for another coveted Treble, and we’ve got an exciting time with high-profile matches in the Champions league. theRangers will return to Paradise come March, and by that time we will have strengthened in the January transfer window. Nothing wrong with a bit of revenge!

There are many positives, but, in the meantime, we need to address our on-field weaknesses and erode them. Bring it on!

Hail Hail!

Eddie Murray

Greg Taylor of Celtic and Mohamed Diomande of theRangers during the Scottish Premiership match at Ibrox Stadium, 2 January 2025. PhotoO’ Rourke//Shutterstock