82 min: What number of slips have we seen on this sport? Significantly on the finish at which Rangers at the moment are capturing? I rely at the very least 5 or 6 events the place keepers, defenders and forwards have all misplaced their footing.
80 min: Big probability for Rangers! Jefte floats a cross to the again put up. Rangers have a person over and Raskin brings the ball down however slips simply as he’s pulling his shot again! As an alternative, he scuffs a shot, saved by Sinisalo, and McGregor eases Hagi off the rebound with a intelligent use of his physique. Rangers and Ferguson attraction for a penalty, however there’s nothing in that.
79 min: I ponder if, with nothing tangible to play for, each managers gained’t go for the win on this scenario. I hope that’s not the case.
77 min: That is more and more a sport brief on high quality. But it surely does really feel like a winner might come from both facet.
75 min: Proper on cue, McGregor and Hagi conflict in midfield. Free-kick to Rangers, which they play shortly, hoofing an extended, diagonal cross straight out for a Celtic throw. Hmmm.
73 min: Seventeen minutes to go and we’re but to have a single yellow card within the Previous Agency.
71 min: Igamane bursts down the left and a slip from Scales provides the Rangers sub an opportunity to shoot, however one other slip and additional dallying means Igamane fails to his shot off. Groans from the Rangers followers, that was a irritating finish to a promising transfer.
67 min: “I’m certain the Hoops followers are loving their interval of dominance, however really and arguably Tinky-Winky from the Teletubbies might have managed the identical job on a a lot decreased wage,” emails Jeremy Boyce. “Rodgers’ model of Celtic may be very a lot the ‘flat-track bully’ of the Graeme Hick selection. Racking up tons towards vastly inferior opposition, completely failing on the largest stage. There’s nothing new there. He’s a recidivist. Failure. The Bhoys are in a consolation zone they really want to get out of, undecided Moses Rodgers is the person to guide them there.”
Unsure I might use the phrase ‘failure’ – Celtic stay on for the home treble – however there are a couple of different attention-grabbing speaking factors in there to debate once I’m not reporting on a dwell sport.
65 min: Rangers reply with a double change of their very own: Hagi and Igamane on for Cerny and Bajrami. I’m stunned to see the again of Cerny, who’s visibly livid as he slumps down on the Rangers bench. The Czech winger has not been at his greatest however nonetheless can create one thing out of nothing, as he did for the objective. Not many Rangers gamers can try this.
63 min: Idah wastes an opportunity to offer Celtic the lead! It was really a really comparable alternative to the one he put away a couple of minutes earlier, maybe barely more durable. A Taylor cross is available in from the left and Idah collects the unfastened ball however slices a shot on the flip.
61 min: Celtic at the moment are within the ascendency and make a double change to maintain issues recent. Paulo Bernardo and Yang Hyun-jun are on for Arne Engels and James Forrest.
59 min: That was a extremely subjective name. Maeda was undoubtedly offside and whereas he wasn’t straight in the way in which of Idah’s shot, he was definitely within the neighborhood of Kelly when he tried in useless to make the save. I ponder if the Rangers keeper was barely delay by his presence. However perhaps that’s not sufficient to disallow the objective.
GOAL! Rangers 1-1 Celtic (Idah 57)
Nearly as a response to my final level, Maeda units off down the left and takes on his man, sprinting past Tavernier to the byline. His cross is deflected and the ball goes unfastened within the Rangers field, with Idah first to gather it. The Irish striker swivels on the penalty spot and fires a deflected shot previous Kelly! There’s a VAR verify for offside, with Maeda threatening to get into Kelly’s line of sight, however the objective is given! Celtic are degree and the close by away followers erupt!
54 min: Rangers have woken from their put up half-time slumber. They’re committing males ahead now.
51 min: That is maybe a wider drawback of a scarcity of individuality however there’s a actual shortage of assaults the place gamers are prepared to take their man on, one-on-one. Cerny does that, sometimes, I assume. Forrest has accomplished that through the years, however is missing that additional yard of tempo now at 33 years previous. A superb instance is right here, the place Idah isolates Tavernier at proper again, has an actual probability to trick his well beyond and get to the byline, or maybe reduce inside for a shot, however as a substitute chooses to simply recycle possession. Sure, it’s boring, nevertheless it’s additionally absolutely much less efficient that preserving the ball, solely to lump a hopeful cross into the field.
49 min: Celtic are dominating possession. Rangers appear completely happy, for now, to play on the counter-attack.
47 min: Good play from Scales to step out from the again and play a penetrative ball into midfield. Celtic work it to their proper, the place Forrest has an overlap from Ralston, and Jefte is compelled to concede the nook. That’s cleared by Rangers however a great begin to proceedings for Celtic after the break.
Peeeeeeeep!
The second half begins.
Half-time studying:
Only a disgrace for Rangers that whereas they’ve risen to the event within the massive matches this season, they’ll’t appear to remain constant towards the so-called smaller groups. That’s why the highest of the Scottish Premiership desk seems to be like this.
Half-time: Rangers 1-0 Celtic
Rangers are on the right track for his or her third successive win within the Previous Agency!
45 min: What a time to attain. Two minutes added on earlier than half-time.
GOAL! Rangers 1-0 Celtic (Dessers 44)
Not a couple of seconds after that Kelly save, Rangers break down the pitch and rating! Cerny is on the coronary heart of this transfer, initially switching the play and later dummying the ball superbly, as Diomande’s cross finds Dessers in Celtic’s penalty field. The Rangers striker takes a contact, shrugs off Scales and neatly clips a left-footed end into the far nook! Nice objective!
43 min: Big probability for Idah, who latches onto a by ball, one-on-one with Kelly. There’s a hush across the stadium, Idah tries a dink however Kelly stands tall and makes an excellent save!
40 min: After a sprightly begin to the sport, there’s now no actual fluency from both facet. Rangers have a few half probabilities as Souttar and Cerny head and shoot huge, however each had been speculative efforts.
38 min: A break in play as Kelly is handled by the Rangers medical employees after a heavy fall.
37 min: Barry Ferguson has been screaming at his left again, Jefte, over one thing. It appears that evidently the supervisor is sad with Jefte’s positioning, with Forrest having fun with a fruitful half for Celtic down that proper flank.
35 min: Set items do appear like the most definitely avenue to a objective, for each groups.
33 min: Carter-Vickers practically wins one other header to offer Celtic the lead, this time from a Celtic nook! The USA worldwide beats Balogan on the close to put up however his bullet header is tipped over by Kelly! Good save.
31 min: Tavernier whips a sensational nook proper below the Celtic bar. Sinisalo is helplessly flapping however Carter-Vickers glances a superb header away, with Souttar lurking.
29 min: Raskin and McGregor conflict once more in midfield because the latter clatters into the again of the Rangers man. One other Celtic participant maybe just a little fortunate to not be cautioned.
26 min: “Massive let off for Celtic, who’ve been drawing 0-0 after half-hour of their final two video games, and ended up profitable 5-0 on each events,” emails Simon McMahon. “That’s not going to occur immediately, however you actually should rating towards them once you’re on prime. Although simply scoring towards them at any time could be good if you happen to help Dundee United, who conceded 5 final week at dwelling as Celtic clinched the title, and have additionally misplaced 3-0 and 2-0 to them this season. United haven’t crushed Celtic for over 10 years now, however at the very least we don’t need to play them once more till subsequent season, although, so each cloud …”
RANGERS GOAL DISALLOWED!
24 min: Celtic get away with one as Raskin, simply 5ft10in bear in mind, rises highest between Scales and Ralston and vegetation a header previous Sinisalo from eight yards out! However the Rangers man is penalised for offside, he went only a millisecond too early because the cross got here in. It stays 0-0!
22 min: Raskin and McGregor, Rangers’ and Celtic’s midfield generals, conflict in midfield. There are a couple of purses, a couple of selection phrases, earlier than the referee steps in.
20 min: Jefte loses possession and instantly there’s a gaping gap on the left-side of Rangers’ defence. Forrest canters ahead into the house however his low cross in the direction of Idah and Maeda is effectively intercepted by Souttar. Each Rangers centre-backs have been busy (and glorious) up to now.
18 min: Celtic’s Carter-Vickers is fortunate to get away with a blind cross again his goalkeeper, with Sinisalo alert sufficient to spring ahead and beat the chasing Dessers to the ball.
16 min: Celtic have discovered their groove. In a slick transfer, Engels fires a wonderful low cross to Maeda, who touches practically off for Idah. The Irishman finds house across the penalty spot, shifts it onto his proper foot however Souttar is ready to make a significant block!
14 min: Ralston has had a nervy begin at proper again for Celtic. Doesn’t seem comfy and is almost bullied off the ball by Dessers, just for the referee to blow for a comfortable free-kick.
12 min: This is a superb sport. Each groups going at it and each units of followers are raucous.
10 min: Sinisalo twice introduced into motion within the Celtic objective, initially tipping over a shot from Cerny, that was deflected and threatening to loop below the bar. Latterly to disclaim Raskin’s header from the ensuing nook.
8 min: Celtic win the ball deep in Rangers territory and catch the hosts utterly chilly. The guests have a three-on-two on the counter-attack and Idah solely has to feed a simple ball proper to Forrest for a clear run on objective … however the Celtic striker undercooks the cross and Balogan is ready to make a last-ditch sliding deal with! That was a legal cross, Forrest has his head in his fingers. He is aware of how massive an opportunity that was!
7 min: Rangers are taking part in fairly a excessive line and Idah has threatened on a couple of events to interrupt the offside entice. One other probing run forces a nook. Right here come the Celtic cavalry from the again … and solely a wonderful defensive header from Balogan on the close to put up clears the hazard!
5 min: Ralston fortunate to get away with no reserving after late problem on Bajrami.
3 min: Celtic have barely had a kick. Rangers have began like a prepare.
Rangers hit the bar!
1 min: Simply 55 seconds into the match, Balogan rises utterly unmarked from a Rangers nook and pops a bullet header onto the highest of the crossbar! He ought to have accomplished higher, there was a key block from Raskin on Scales to create room for probability. Oooooo, that’s an enormous miss, and proper in entrance of the travelling Celtic followers as effectively.
Peeeeeeeeeeep!
We’re underway within the Previous Agency.
The groups are out! Tina Turner’s Merely the Greatest performs out across the stadium, a music that the Celtic followers are all too eager to get in concerned in.
Ought to say there was no guard of honour for the brand new champions …
Celtic supervisor Brendan Rodgers speaks to the cameras:
We come right here in an incredible second, profitable the league. However these are massive video games and also you need to carry out in them.
That is our pleasure we’re taking part in for. We’ve got let ourselves down a wee bit in these video games, although. There’s no excuses immediately. We’ve got our personal supporters again within the stadium, which is good. Rangers have confirmed in sure video games they’re excellent. Coming to Ibrox is at all times an enormous problem. I’m wanting ahead to the duels.
Kuhn hasn’t skilled all week. He’s received an actual soreness in his knee. He had a conflict final week towards Dundee United.
Re the Celtic squad, it’s not biggest bench so Brendan Rodgers doesn’t have lots of choices if the gameplan goes south.
Kuhn is an enormous miss and never even named as an alternative. It’s unclear if he’s injured or one thing else apart. We’ll hear from Rodgers shortly, and he ought to clear that up. It’s an enormous day for the veteran James Forrest.
A few pre-match pics at Ibrox. It’s a stunning day in Glasgow. Enter Sandman by Metallica blares across the stadium. It’s not AC/DC, nevertheless it’ll do.
That is price a learn from final week, if you’re catching up on the state of play in Scotland.
Our Scottish soccer correspondent, Ewan Murray, is at the moment fielding Previous Agency questions in a Q&A, over on our Matchday Reside weblog.
Right here’s just a little taster:
John W asks: how do Rangers shut the hole on Celtic subsequent season and is it bringing again Steven Gerrard?
The Gerrard suggestion won’t go away and feels mutually helpful. The place else does he get a distinguished job? And this can be a supervisor with current expertise of succeeding domestically at Rangers. Supporters would settle for him. The hole to Celtic stays an enormous one; Celtic’s on and off area place is streets forward of Rangers. The hole is closed by Rangers spending their cash in a better method. An imminent takeover by American buyers affords hope however Rangers must dramatically enhance their determination making.
Workforce information!
Rangers: Kelly; Tavernier, Souttar, Balogun, Jefte; Barron, Diomande, Raskin; Cerny, Dessers, Bajrami.
Subs: Butland, Cortes, Nsiala, Kasanwirjo, Igamane, Hagi, McCausland, Rice, Danilo.
Celtic: Sinisalo; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Forrest, Idah, Maeda.
Subs: Bain, Trusty, Yang, McCowan, Schlupp, Nawrocki, Kenny, Bernardo, McArdle.
Preamble
Let’s not costume this one up. Celtic are already confirmed as Scottish champions for the fifty fifth time, Rangers can’t end anyplace however second. Within the league desk then, there actually isn’t a lot hinging on this Previous Agency Derby. However everyone knows this fixture means just a little bit greater than that. It’s up there as one of many world’s nice rivalries, and barely disappoints.
If Celtic are the secure juggernaut lurching ahead – claiming 21 of the final 26 home trophies in Scotland and nonetheless within the hunt for the treble – then Rangers are nonetheless in a state of flux. Barry Ferguson’s deal as interim supervisor solely runs till the top of the season. With the proposed takeover hanging over the membership, there are lots of questions concerning funds, administration, recruitment and path.
The possible new homeowners –American buyers, Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises International Soccer Group – plus Rangers’ new incoming sporting director Kevin Thelwell visited the coaching floor this week. Ferguson spoke this week about his help for the takeover, no matter which means for his job.
It’s one thing the membership has been wanting, outdoors funding,” he mentioned. “It seems to be to me prefer it’s going alongside easily and we’re simply ready to get the thumbs up. It’s the beginning of a brand new period for the membership and it definitely wants it. Like everyone else, I’m simply wanting ahead to the day it will get signed off and hopefully it’s a brighter future for Rangers.
There must be lots of adjustments to try to make this membership profitable once more, as a result of it’s constructed on profitable trophies. If I’m not going to be right here, I’m excited concerning the prospect of latest homeowners coming in and Kevin coming in. I’m comfy with the scenario. It’s been an incredible couple of months for me. A couple of ups and downs, nevertheless it’s given me a style for it. After all I might take it [the manager’s job]. If I don’t get it, I’m not going to spit the dummy out. I’ll return to my [ambassadorial] function and help the membership.
Rangers have gained the final two derbies, together with an away win at Parkhead below Ferguson in March. This season could also be chalked however these in blue will certainly be hoping that is the beginning of a brand new period.
Kick-off: 12pm BST.
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