Celtic vs. Rangers. It’s a fixture that comes with so much emotional baggage,
history, controversy and yet they have never played each other. In the build-up
to this game, the first between two major clubs in Glasgow in almost 3 years, the
key point of discussion is that Rangers are no longer Rangers. This is not the
Old Firm and therefore should not be viewed as one. That fixture ceased to
exist in 2012. Yet there is a quiet anticipation, at least to this individual
in the West of Ireland ahead of this game. In the absence of Champions League
football and a domestic fixture with so much riding on it, this is arguably the
biggest game Celtic have played since they hosted Juventus at Celtic Park in 2013.
Are Rangers a new club? Not in the eyes of Celtic fans! It is a point they want to make clear so much that they took an ad out in the Sunday Herald in Scotland.
http://www.thedrum.com/uploads/news/208281/celtic-ad.jpg
The advert, linked above, summarised the legal and football ramifications of the liquidation of Rangers in the summer of 2012. They outlined that there is "no track record" of the fixture. There was no demotion of Rangers as they “ceased to function”. In conclusion, the letter re-iterated the fans desire “to achieve a victory in our first meeting against this lower league club”. The advert, drafted very much in a matter of fact presentation and incendiary tone, does raise some interesting points that I agree with it. Do I think its necessary to publish a full page advert highlighting these facts? Not really. People have long since have made up their own mind on what has become of Rangers over the last 3 years.
To choose a point in the past to begin with, I look back to the last time a game took place between a club called Celtic and a club called Rangers. It was the first time I decided to watch an Old Firm game on my laptop. The league was already won, bragging rights was all that was at stake. Rangers’ administration had effectively destroyed any chance of a serious challenge to Celtic at the top of the table. Administration or not, the Celtic team that year were deserving champions in every sense of the word. Losing to the Champions would be the least of Rangers worries that day. Celtic fans were looking forward with a young talented squad playing in European competition. Something much darker loomed on the horizon for the fans of Rangers. It wasn’t the 3-0 victory that Celtic coasted to, but the future of their club. Fast forward a few weeks later, on the afternoon Celtic lifted the trophy, Charles Green assumed ownership from Craig Whyte. It was apt point that day that in more ways than one, Glasgow was Green and Whyte.
Are Rangers a new club? Not in the eyes of Celtic fans! It is a point they want to make clear so much that they took an ad out in the Sunday Herald in Scotland.
http://www.thedrum.com/uploads/news/208281/celtic-ad.jpg
The advert, linked above, summarised the legal and football ramifications of the liquidation of Rangers in the summer of 2012. They outlined that there is "no track record" of the fixture. There was no demotion of Rangers as they “ceased to function”. In conclusion, the letter re-iterated the fans desire “to achieve a victory in our first meeting against this lower league club”. The advert, drafted very much in a matter of fact presentation and incendiary tone, does raise some interesting points that I agree with it. Do I think its necessary to publish a full page advert highlighting these facts? Not really. People have long since have made up their own mind on what has become of Rangers over the last 3 years.
To choose a point in the past to begin with, I look back to the last time a game took place between a club called Celtic and a club called Rangers. It was the first time I decided to watch an Old Firm game on my laptop. The league was already won, bragging rights was all that was at stake. Rangers’ administration had effectively destroyed any chance of a serious challenge to Celtic at the top of the table. Administration or not, the Celtic team that year were deserving champions in every sense of the word. Losing to the Champions would be the least of Rangers worries that day. Celtic fans were looking forward with a young talented squad playing in European competition. Something much darker loomed on the horizon for the fans of Rangers. It wasn’t the 3-0 victory that Celtic coasted to, but the future of their club. Fast forward a few weeks later, on the afternoon Celtic lifted the trophy, Charles Green assumed ownership from Craig Whyte. It was apt point that day that in more ways than one, Glasgow was Green and Whyte.
While I do not claim to be an authority on the saga, I
know this much for certain. Two things happened on the 14th June
2012. I drank enough alcohol and sung numerous songs on the town square in
Gdansk that I truly believed Ireland would take nothing less than a point
against Spain in Euro 2012. And Rangers were liquidated. I saw a few Celtic jerseys that day
but to be honest, those of us there to see our country couldn’t give flying
fuck about Rangers. Ireland wouldn’t take that point, losing 4-0 to the
eventual champions. And I actually only heard 3 days later the fate of a club I
once harboured severe hatred for. The words “Rangers are gone” were uttered and
hit me. It might have been the large amount of alcohol in my system but I was
shocked. I didn’t actually believe it would get to that point. I truly believed
they would be “sanctioned”, at worst relegated one tier. The questions, the
pithy answers, the lack of clarity, the confusion of what lay ahead, the jibes
and emotions. It was a rollercoaster period for those involved with the club. However,
as turbulent as those 6 months were for the “oldco”, the following 30 or so would
be an undead nightmare.
It is almost impossible to summarise the whole saga into one excellent paragraph or even two. Yet here are just a few words to associate with what has gone on at the club in that period. Everything from legal action, cancelling contracts, allegations of owner misconduct, cup upsets, resignations, arrest warrants, consortiums, power struggles at boardroom level, triallists would serve to twist and turn this story more than Tommy Burns in his prime. Every few weeks a new story would pop up and generate emotions within me that begun with laughter, followed by disbelief. I could not believe that sheer mismanagement at all levels would continue to reign at the club. I could not believe the reported wages a lower league club were sanctioning in pursuit of a quick return to the top tier of Scottish football. Amongst all this, I saw a support divided on different sides of the discontent over different stages of this time period. I happen to know decent Rangers’ supporters, and I can’t begin to imagine how they have felt over the last 3 years with all that has happened.
Even to this day, the madness continues. Rangers, playing in the Scottish Championship after two successive promotions, are operating at a significant monthly loss. It is believed that, nearly 3 years to the day that Rangers of old went into administration, the club needs to secure substantial investment in order to continue operating. Looking at this situation, Mike Ashley, the "unassuming" owner of Newcastle, has come to the aide of Rangers recently. He has given them a £10 million loan to the club. Yet his intentions have been subject to much scrutiny, from the fans, from the club, from members of parliament. It is questioned, and rightly so, whether he is fit and proper to be getting involved with the club.
On the field, Ally McCoist stepped down as manager late last month. The club legend steered his side to back to back promotions in the last 2 seasons but have found themselves chasing Hearts in first place for the sole automatic promotion spot to the Scottish Premiership. For some time leading up to his departure, fans grew discontent with his tactic selection, poor performances and significant cup upsets. However it was the manner in which he left that typified Rangers growing reputation as a club in disarray. Tendering his resignation, McCoist intended to serve out a 12 month notice period in charge. However relations between himself and the board had broken down, and a meeting was held which led to McCoist being removed from the position. To compound matters further, his assistant Kenny McDowall also tendered his resignation just 2 weeks ago. Unlike McCoist, he is being allowed serve out his 12 month notice period and will take charge of the team on Sunday.
With all this chaos that has ensued, Rangers are barely recognisable from the dominant club of years past. This is a sentiment echoed by Donald Findlay, former Vice-Chairmen of the club, whose opinion formed the basis of that Celtic fans advert. In his own words, “It is a different club, they may play at Ibrox and they may play sometimes in royal blue jerseys. But you cannot pass on that which is undefinable. And that is spirit and tradition and all the rest of it. To me this is a new Rangers which has to establish its own history and tradition. But it's not the Rangers I know. To me, genuinely, it is a new entity”. These are strong words. And while many fans of Rangers would not share his opinion, I believe it to be a valid one. I don’t insist they are a new club. I don’t find myself debating the matter endlessly on social media. However, I don’t feel they are the same club as the one I saw play 3 years ago. Focusing on the game this Sunday, I don’t fear Rangers, I don’t consider them to cause an upset tomorrow. They do not evoke the same feelings they used to whenever they faced Celtic in the past or if they were mentioned to me. At least nowhere near the same level. I enjoyed the rivalry immensely in the past but I have struggled to raise the same expectations I once had of a Celtic-Rangers encounter. My opinion won’t be the focal point of a full page advert any time soon (I hope) but it’s a strange feeling I’ve experienced ahead of the game this Sunday.
And what about Celtic? It has all been a bit calmer and rosier for those in Green & White since 2012 but it has not come without change. Of the Celtic starting XI that defeated Rangers 3-0 three years ago, only Emilio Izaguirre, Charlie Mulgrew, Scott Brown, Adam Matthews, and Kris Commons remain. And just last year, Neil Lennon resigned as manager. Having completed 3 in a row, Lennon set his sights on breaking new ground for the club in the Champions League. Yet, the Celtic board have been very reluctant in recent years to spend money. This despite raking in big money for key players and establishing a foothold on the domestic game. It is this reluctance to spend a cause for concern amongst the Celtic support. Celtic are not exactly big spenders historically, but the failure to replace key players has impacted on the clubs fortunes in Europe.
In the summer of 2014, Ronny Deila took over as manager. I think he is a good manager. I find his philosophy on football to be refreshing. Of the games I have watched this season, there is desire to press forward and play a fluent passing attacking style of football that can be relentless. However, the defence can be less than convincing. In my lifetime I don’t think I have ever come across a solid back four complemented by a reliable goalkeeper at Celtic for an entire season. You might have one part of that combo but never both. Some players have given individual performances that have become folk legend at Celtic but never a formidable season as an ever-present. The Celtic defence is made up of unproven youth such as Jason Denayer and more experienced players such as Izaguirre, Efe Ambrose and Virgil Van Dijk but their best form seems to have deserted them this season.
And that inconsistency has been Celtics main problem this season. Early on, they absolutely swept Dundee United 6-1 at home. Four days later, they went out of the Champions League, once and for all, in another toothless display at home to Maribor SK, losing 1-0. This was preceded by the Legia Warsaw farce, where Celtic proceeded to the final play-off round via default of Warsaw fielding an ineligible player. (Celtic had lost 6-1 over two legs initially) The knives were sharpening for Deila, but amongst the backdrop of a reliance on loan signings and a difficult start, he has slowly begun to get the most out of his Celtic side. It’s a difficult situation for the young Norwegian manager. He is expected to win the League title, so that achievement merits little. European results are where Celtic are being judged onto today. Ahead of a novel last 32 encounter with Inter Milan in the Europa League, Deila knows a good run in the latter stages of that competition can endear him to the sceptics amongst the Celtic support
The focus is on Sunday first and foremost. Celtic are the better team, and are expected to progress to the final. It is a game that Deila and the players cannot afford to lose, not just because it’s Rangers or a club in their image with the same fans who still hate Celtic but because it’s the pathway to a cup final. It’s been 6 years since the club won the League Cup last. And Celtic need to be winning trophies other than just the League title.
It is almost impossible to summarise the whole saga into one excellent paragraph or even two. Yet here are just a few words to associate with what has gone on at the club in that period. Everything from legal action, cancelling contracts, allegations of owner misconduct, cup upsets, resignations, arrest warrants, consortiums, power struggles at boardroom level, triallists would serve to twist and turn this story more than Tommy Burns in his prime. Every few weeks a new story would pop up and generate emotions within me that begun with laughter, followed by disbelief. I could not believe that sheer mismanagement at all levels would continue to reign at the club. I could not believe the reported wages a lower league club were sanctioning in pursuit of a quick return to the top tier of Scottish football. Amongst all this, I saw a support divided on different sides of the discontent over different stages of this time period. I happen to know decent Rangers’ supporters, and I can’t begin to imagine how they have felt over the last 3 years with all that has happened.
Even to this day, the madness continues. Rangers, playing in the Scottish Championship after two successive promotions, are operating at a significant monthly loss. It is believed that, nearly 3 years to the day that Rangers of old went into administration, the club needs to secure substantial investment in order to continue operating. Looking at this situation, Mike Ashley, the "unassuming" owner of Newcastle, has come to the aide of Rangers recently. He has given them a £10 million loan to the club. Yet his intentions have been subject to much scrutiny, from the fans, from the club, from members of parliament. It is questioned, and rightly so, whether he is fit and proper to be getting involved with the club.
On the field, Ally McCoist stepped down as manager late last month. The club legend steered his side to back to back promotions in the last 2 seasons but have found themselves chasing Hearts in first place for the sole automatic promotion spot to the Scottish Premiership. For some time leading up to his departure, fans grew discontent with his tactic selection, poor performances and significant cup upsets. However it was the manner in which he left that typified Rangers growing reputation as a club in disarray. Tendering his resignation, McCoist intended to serve out a 12 month notice period in charge. However relations between himself and the board had broken down, and a meeting was held which led to McCoist being removed from the position. To compound matters further, his assistant Kenny McDowall also tendered his resignation just 2 weeks ago. Unlike McCoist, he is being allowed serve out his 12 month notice period and will take charge of the team on Sunday.
With all this chaos that has ensued, Rangers are barely recognisable from the dominant club of years past. This is a sentiment echoed by Donald Findlay, former Vice-Chairmen of the club, whose opinion formed the basis of that Celtic fans advert. In his own words, “It is a different club, they may play at Ibrox and they may play sometimes in royal blue jerseys. But you cannot pass on that which is undefinable. And that is spirit and tradition and all the rest of it. To me this is a new Rangers which has to establish its own history and tradition. But it's not the Rangers I know. To me, genuinely, it is a new entity”. These are strong words. And while many fans of Rangers would not share his opinion, I believe it to be a valid one. I don’t insist they are a new club. I don’t find myself debating the matter endlessly on social media. However, I don’t feel they are the same club as the one I saw play 3 years ago. Focusing on the game this Sunday, I don’t fear Rangers, I don’t consider them to cause an upset tomorrow. They do not evoke the same feelings they used to whenever they faced Celtic in the past or if they were mentioned to me. At least nowhere near the same level. I enjoyed the rivalry immensely in the past but I have struggled to raise the same expectations I once had of a Celtic-Rangers encounter. My opinion won’t be the focal point of a full page advert any time soon (I hope) but it’s a strange feeling I’ve experienced ahead of the game this Sunday.
And what about Celtic? It has all been a bit calmer and rosier for those in Green & White since 2012 but it has not come without change. Of the Celtic starting XI that defeated Rangers 3-0 three years ago, only Emilio Izaguirre, Charlie Mulgrew, Scott Brown, Adam Matthews, and Kris Commons remain. And just last year, Neil Lennon resigned as manager. Having completed 3 in a row, Lennon set his sights on breaking new ground for the club in the Champions League. Yet, the Celtic board have been very reluctant in recent years to spend money. This despite raking in big money for key players and establishing a foothold on the domestic game. It is this reluctance to spend a cause for concern amongst the Celtic support. Celtic are not exactly big spenders historically, but the failure to replace key players has impacted on the clubs fortunes in Europe.
In the summer of 2014, Ronny Deila took over as manager. I think he is a good manager. I find his philosophy on football to be refreshing. Of the games I have watched this season, there is desire to press forward and play a fluent passing attacking style of football that can be relentless. However, the defence can be less than convincing. In my lifetime I don’t think I have ever come across a solid back four complemented by a reliable goalkeeper at Celtic for an entire season. You might have one part of that combo but never both. Some players have given individual performances that have become folk legend at Celtic but never a formidable season as an ever-present. The Celtic defence is made up of unproven youth such as Jason Denayer and more experienced players such as Izaguirre, Efe Ambrose and Virgil Van Dijk but their best form seems to have deserted them this season.
And that inconsistency has been Celtics main problem this season. Early on, they absolutely swept Dundee United 6-1 at home. Four days later, they went out of the Champions League, once and for all, in another toothless display at home to Maribor SK, losing 1-0. This was preceded by the Legia Warsaw farce, where Celtic proceeded to the final play-off round via default of Warsaw fielding an ineligible player. (Celtic had lost 6-1 over two legs initially) The knives were sharpening for Deila, but amongst the backdrop of a reliance on loan signings and a difficult start, he has slowly begun to get the most out of his Celtic side. It’s a difficult situation for the young Norwegian manager. He is expected to win the League title, so that achievement merits little. European results are where Celtic are being judged onto today. Ahead of a novel last 32 encounter with Inter Milan in the Europa League, Deila knows a good run in the latter stages of that competition can endear him to the sceptics amongst the Celtic support
The focus is on Sunday first and foremost. Celtic are the better team, and are expected to progress to the final. It is a game that Deila and the players cannot afford to lose, not just because it’s Rangers or a club in their image with the same fans who still hate Celtic but because it’s the pathway to a cup final. It’s been 6 years since the club won the League Cup last. And Celtic need to be winning trophies other than just the League title.
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