The repercussions from the latest Glasgow derby continues, as Celtic suffer a setback before the international break.
Celtic approach the international break after a painful defeat to Rangers, their second derby loss in a row.
The Hoops nearly overturned Rangers’ overwhelming first half in what Parkhead icon Johan Mjällby described as ‘a game of two halves’. Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diomande put the Light Blues ahead, leaving Celtic’s former defender pleased.
After defeating Fenerbahce in the Europa League, Barry Ferguson’s side resumed their winning streak. A nail-biting penalty shootout propelled Rangers into the quarter-finals, and it appears they were able to channel that winning mentality against Celtic.
Following the break, the Hoops responded with goals from Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate, and the game was tied at 2-2 as halftime approached. Rangers, however, secured all three points with a late Hamza Igamane goal.
Johan Mjällby left impressed with Rangers display
Appearing on the latest episode of the Scottish Football Social Club, former Celtic star Mjällby had plenty of praise for his old rivals but criticism for the Hoops taking their eye off the ball in the first 45.
“It was a game of two halves, I have to say I was very impressed by Rangers’ first half. Twice now they’ve gotten the better of their biggest challengers on the other side of Glasgow,” the retired Sweden international said.
“I think they once again set up the traps in a good fashion, they won the ball in the right areas, I think their pressing was very good, and physically in midfield they looked much stronger.
“Am I surprised? Yeah, I have to be because I thought in the first half, Celtic’s passing was poor. It wasn’t quick enough, you can argue Callum McGregor is injured but still, I expected Celtic to be much better on the ball and play with more energy.
“All credit to Rangers, they were superior in the first half and should have buried the game really. You can’t argue that Rangers didn’t deserve to win.”
How close are Celtic to winning the Scottish Premiership?
Despite losing two games in a row to Rangers, Celtic remains in command of the Scottish Premiership. As we enter the international break, the Hoops are 13 points ahead of their opponents, having suffered only three defeats in an outstanding season.
Despite all signs pointing to a Celtic victory, their opponents aren’t mathematically eliminated just yet. Rangers may delay what appears to be an unavoidable outcome by winning as many games as possible and hoping the Bhoys lose points between now and the end of the season.
The most amount of points Rangers may finish the season with is 86 points. If both Glasgow rivals win their three pre-split games, Celtic will be declared champions as early as the weekend of April 26th/27th, in their first game of the split.
However, if Rangers lose their next two games and Celtic defeat Hearts, the Light Blues can only pick up 80 points, meaning the Hoops must defeat St Johnstone on April 6th to win the title.
