In a match that meant little to the Scottish Premiership table, Old Firm meant everything to both teams involved.
Throughout the 88 minutes, it looked like Rangers pulled off one of their biggest upsets. A victory over a Celtic team that has been as close to perfection as possible. Yes, it was a clash between the first two teams in the table. However, the gap between the two entering the game was nine points. After 19 games, Celtic have won 18 and lost just one, a 2-0 loss to St. Mirren.
Therefore, the Rangers who had a lead with just two minutes of the remaining 90 oozed tension. James Tavernier, who in the 53rd minute, managed a defensive clearance in the 80th minute. The challenge, which left the Englishman bloody, raised a massive applause.
That was the case, until Kyogo Furuhashi spoiled the party in the 88th minute. After a disorganized sequence of play, the ball twisted all the way to the penalty spot. Furuhashi tossed the ball into the roof of the net, causing Ibrox to let out a mutter.
Despite seven minutes of added time, neither team formed a real threat after that goal. A couple of goals from the Japanese internationals were enough for Celtic to get something out of the game. For the Rangers, a pair of goals early in the second half only netted one point. Still, it’s a point well earned in a turnaround season at Ibrox against a heavily favored Celtic side.
Old Firm delivers fireworks
When Daizen Maeda scored in the fifth minute, there was concern about a beating. A horrendous midfield gift from striker Alfredo Morelos saw Maeda launch an instant counterattack.
Rangers’ inability to clear led to Celtic’s second goal. Traditionally, the Rangers are decent defensively in the league. The pair of goals conceded on Matchday 20 brought the total goals against for the season to 20. That goal against is second best, unsurprisingly, after Celtic.
However, at the Old Firm, Celtic punish defensive blunders better than any other team in the Scottish Premiership. With 63 goals scored in their 20 games now, Celtic are on their way to one of the best scoring seasons in recent seasons. At this rate, Celtic would surpass their record of 105 goals in the 2003/04 campaign.
Americans in the mix on both sides
There was potential for more goals in this game. Before Celtic’s equalizer, Malik Tillman fired a shot that deflected wide of the Celtic goal. In what could have ended the game, it was another American challenging his compatriot. Cameron Carter-Vickers, who made one appearance at the 2022 World Cup, made a desperate block to prevent Tillman’s effort from reaching Joe Hart.
Also, Carter-Vickers had a good game, despite conceding two goals. James Sands and Malik Tillman appeared for the Rangers. In fact, Sands replaced Tillman in the 85th minute, shortly after Carter Vickers’ block. They didn’t do that well, and Tillman’s biggest contribution was probably the late miss to seal all three points.
PHOTO: IMAGO/PA Images
