Some of us recall the 1990s, when Rangers would visit Celtic Park (or once memorably at Hampden) late in the season, and we would manage a meaningless win. It was all we had to sustain ourselves over the summer while we hoped that next season would be ours.
Rangers fans shrugged after these games, untroubled, clear in the knowledge that next season would almost certainly mean more of the same. Newco now aspire to be in the position Celtic occupied back then – hoping to win even a meaningless game.
They have lots on their side. Celtic are without fans and missing two of their most important players, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston. Kyogo suffered a knock last week and you can bet the mortgage he will endure more off the ball elbows in the face, dangerous tackles and thumps on his vulnerable shoulder tomorrow.
Jota, Aaron Mooy, Reo Hatate and Liel Abada are at various stages of returning to full fitness, while the central defensive partnership of Carl Starfelt and Yuki Kobayashi is, to put it mildly, yet to form. It could be years before Newco have a better chance of beating Celtic.
Challenges like this is why Ange Postecoglou is here. He’s not at Celtic because he gets his kicks out of beating Ross County, it is about dealing with disruptive events, hostile environments and technical demands, something he and his players will get buckets of at Ibrox tomorrow.
If you wanted the role of either manager, you would want to be Ange. Nothing to lose, hampered all around, with faith in a system that delivers reliably for you. Opposite him is ‘Mick’ Beale. Mick has faced Celtic four times this season, drawing the first then losing three on the bounce. There will be no hiding place for him tomorrow. Win in front of 50,000 of your own fans, or send them all off for the summer thinking you just don’t have what it takes and be ruthlessly turn on, like they did that nice guy who got them to a European final last year.
It will be a difficult game for Celtic. Despite being perennial losers, Newco have done well recently against us in the middle of the park. They will target Kobayashi – how he settles could have a huge impact on the outcome. Referees’ refusal to award a penalty against Newco is reaching embarrassing levels. A meaningless game against Celtic would the perfect retort – ‘See, we’re not biased.’ Get into their box and test this theory.
Look back this afternoon, we will have a video with Peter Ledwige, who spoke to us ahead of joining the Road to Seville cyclists. The group are currently in the hills of northern Spain, raising funds for the Celtic FC Foundation.
23 Comments
Happy FRIDAY!!
Mornin’ Aipple.👍
Morning Teuchter!
Friday looking good on you.
Huns tomorrow morning and then stockcar racing – looking forward to a few car crashes.👍😂☘
The bar isnopen bhoys.
D :)
Yet another article about Rangers when we are about to play “newco”? Strange…….
My mate that makes the beer across the street from my office in downtown Louisville finishes up today. Off to fresh pastures and new op in Cinci. I’ll be filling my boots with free beer for the largest part of today.
It’s a tough job I have.
Off to Mexico next week so if someone could step in and grab a podium spot and inform the gang what day it is that would be great.
HH!
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Best of to your Mrs
HH
………………………………………………..
Brilliant
https://twitter.com/i/status/1656663900719579142
GLASSTWOTHIRDSFULL on 12TH MAY 2023 12:24 PM
Yet another article about Rangers when we are about to play “newco”? Strange…….
Very odd,:-))
HH
David66
You have some responsibility this afternoon wi aw they weans.have a great day.
HH
They’ve scored one goal that wasn’t from a set piece in Beale’s four games against us, largely down to CCV and Carl, so tomorrow will be a big ask for the new central defensive partnership.
No Kent and fatty to win free kicks but someone else will step up and fall over in the right places.
I have just realised that I will miss seeing the game the morra, thot it was on Sunday and have made arrangements that are kinda irreversible, thems the breaks I suppose <:(
Won’t be surprised if Oh leads the line from the start tomorrow.
SIONNAIGH on 12TH MAY 2023 1:30 PM
Won’t be surprised if Oh leads the line from the start tomorrow.
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My thoughts exactly. Would be good to have a look at him over 90 or so minutes.
Will no doubt get booked for eff all early on to put him off bullying their defenders.
Completely relaxed about tomorrow, but still feel we’ll win. 😃🍀🇮🇪👍
I thought Yuki looked nervous last week which is to be expected. Playing consecutive games at Tynecastle and Ibrox is a real test for him. Both he and Starfelt’s discipline will be tested to the limit for pulls, shoves and invisible trips in and around the penalty box by the diving brigade.
Their new house clown, Cantwell, will be desperate to please the crowd with some theatrics. We need our midfield to stand up to him and lundstrum early doors.. The latter’s early tackle on Kyogo in the last game will almost certainly be repeated if he has the chance.
I know midfield enforcers are a thing of the past but Broonie is missed for these kind of games.
HRVATSKI JIM
I`ll make enquiries and let you know. As far as I know it is a fine wee place.
AT – And so it begins. That BRRB is a bad influence.
D :)
They’ll press us like mad in the opening stages. That’s pretty much all they have under Beale. If we’re still level after 30 mins, I’d strongly fancy us to go on and win the game after they inevitably tire and the spaces open up.
Playing through their press and creating chances would be a great sign of development.
Hi HS
That is good enough for us. It get 4.8/5 on review sites.
We plan 27/28/29 December so maybe we can have a pint together.
Our gallant heroes will not be getting a guard of honour to recognise their achievements tomorrow – official.
I see the huns are still trying to sell tickets for tomorrows game.
Loyal eh.
new article posted.