Rangers go three clear as Celtic stumble
Contrasting fortunes for the Glasgow sides
Although it certainly wasn’t pretty for Rangers at Rugby Park, Walter Smith and everyone else involved with the club will consider this to be a very good day’s work. Yet again this season, Rangers battled back from going a goal down to take the lead and then bounced back from being drawn level to grab all three points in Ayrshire.
Kenny Miller, once again, was the Rangers hero with a hat-trick, just edging out Connor Sammon who grabbed two for the home side.
Kilmarnock, as they were at home against Celtic, were their own worst enemy at against Rangers. They were 1-0 up, in control of the game and heading towards half-time. One stupid penalty later and it was 1-1 at half-time with Rangers in the ascendency.
As if that wasn’t enough, Killie then handed Rangers another penalty and a one man advantage as Miller tucked his second of the match. Sammon levelled the score but Rangers pulled another goal out of the bag to increase their lead to 4 points.
At Celtic Park, the home side weathered an early sitter by David Goodwillie before grabbing control of the game. Celtic absolutely dominated Dundee United for the first half, with the only surprise being how it was just the 1-0, thanks to Gary Hooper’s goal.
The second half started in the same fashion with Celtic well on top but around 65 minutes, Celtic started retreating and United pushed forward with more intent.
The game still looked like petering but a strange decision from ref Mike Tumilty allowed United one last chance to swing the ball into the Celtic box and Sean Dillon was able to stick the ball behind Forster in the Celtic goal.
United will think they were owed that after Celtic’s late winner at Tannadice earlier in this season. Rangers go into this midweek’s Champions League clash with Manchester United three points clear at the top of the SPL and facing a trip to Tannadice next weekend.
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utd will beat rangers next week, no problem, rangers are a shambles. they have been dominated in the last 6 spl games, yet manage to scrape through, their luck will run out next week.
the title is still in our hands, no problem.
Arise Sir Neil
hail hail
You keep telling yourself that and perhaps you may convince yourself. Everyone but the Celtic fans knows where the trophy is going this year. Everyone but the Celtic fans has known the last two years. I actually find it hysterical looking at the current tic starting 11, not so long ago you were a genuinely decent team. Now you cannot even get near a rangers team that has admittedly been in crisis for 3yrs plus. ??
Mind and drink lots of water….after you wake up…..
The Rangers will be Champions again…..oh better remind you, it will be for 3-in a- row…….Simply because we are Scotlands only true..Champions……..Follow Follow..!!
You may have a point Billy but I don’t think your squad has the legs to make it to the end of the season, I can’t see your board bringing in 3 or 4 decent signings in January either.
liam you been sniffing glue again . yous have hardly any scotsman in your shambles of a team which leads to no bottle or fight on the pitch . you were lucky last week against st mirren and powder puff yesterday and dont forget we are the people , arise sir walter
It’s a funny old game Saint, remember that auld booze bag on a Saturday morning previewing the weekends fixtures? I mention that because in a day that should’ve heralded Celtic return to the top of the summit, ended with them further behind a resolute Rangers.
Rangers were lucky yesterday, very lucky. Some say you make your own luck, Kilmarnock certainly made their own yesterday with two crazy moments that cost them dear. Eremenko was pulling the strings for most of the game and up front Sammon was causing all kind of problems for the centre half pairing of Weir and Broadfoot, the latter looking like he is still carrying an injury. Whittaker must be the most passed full back in the SPL, I would fancy my chances of beating him he’s that bad defensively. To escape with three points was nothing short of miraculous and results like that tend to have an after effect for the team that’s playing catch up. Had Rangers dropped points yesterday, I’m sure the Parkhead crowd would have been electric pushing their team onto a big result against the Arabs. But with that gone, the atmosphere can get flat and the game peters out somewhat. Up step Utd in true Celtic style with a last minute winner and what promised to be a great day turns sour.
I’ve said it before, Celtics best chance of winning this league is Rangers squad size. The will to win is there but were now showing our vulnerability with the size of the squad. Jelavic coming back in the new year will be a great boost and hopefully Boogie and Edu won’t be out too long. Players are needed in January that’s for sure.
Two huge games for Rangers coming up, Man Utd first in the Champions League and then United away on Sunday in the SPL, a real danger zone for us. Celtics omission from Europe early means that they will be well rested for the visit of ICT, who incidentally are one game away from going 12 months without tasting defeat in an away fixture, there’s plenty more twists and turns ahead in this campaign.