There’s a saying in boxing about not just being able to take a punch, but being able to take a punch and keep moving forwards and Saturday’s Old Firm exemplified that from a Rangers perspective.
We were hemmed in, and seemed to struggle with their change in tactics – their fourth change in the last four derbies incidentally – until a change at half-time saw parity resume with momentum ultimately swinging when Alfredo Morelos was rugby tackled to the ground by Nir Bitton when he was clean through on goal.
There was no sign of us giving in or capitulating, there was no let up in our intensity or dedication to the tactics that have seen us lose just five goals in the league and drop points just twice, there was, however, a noticeable change in something else – mentality.
Not only did we pick the tempo up and turn the game around, creating more chances from inside the box than Celtic who “played us off the park” according to David Turnbull, but we also stood up to the fight and in fact caused them to retreat.
Scott Brown resorted to punching himself in the face right in front of referee Bobby Madden in a desperate attempt to even things up – in terms of numbers at least – and in the aftermath of Shane Duffy’s high, late and scissor challenge on Ryan Kent, we saw the biggest sign that things have changed.
This may be my favourite photo from the weekend
Aribo and Kamara not afraid to get stuck in to them
And just the look on Alfie’s face 😂 pic.twitter.com/mf2SE6uaNF
— Every Other Saturday Podcast🇬🇧⚽️ (@EveryOtherSatu1) January 4, 2021
Kristoffer Ajer attempted to confront Madden in his usual perma-offended way but was confronted by, not just one, but two Rangers players, Joe Aribo and Glen Kamara, it may just have been handbags but it was the Celtic defender who flinched then retreated and it was the first time in recent years that a melee has seen Light Blue shirts out number those in green and white.
Will Rangers go on to win the league now?
Yes
Too early to say
We have seen a gradual improvement in the quality of the squad now matched with a consistency that hasn’t been seen since the days of Walter Smith, added to when players are willing to fight for each other and the jersey, there can only be one outcome – title number 55.