No way Old Firm clash is fifth rate

LAST Sunday’s clash between Celtic and Rangers lived up to its billing as the fifth best derby in the world – a stat I discovered on the internet.

The article claimed the Old Firm were only behind Boca Juniors v River Plate in Argentina, Spain’s El Clasico, the Belgrade derby between Red Star and Partizan and Flamingo v Fluminense in Brazil.

But trying the Glasgow fans their big game is fifth rate!

The only slight disappointment at Celtic Park was that both sides had more shots off target than on target.

Celtic would be happier with the draw which suggested the Premiership title trophy will not be gracing the Ibrox boardroom for much longer.

After the match, Rangers could turn their attentions to the return Europa League semi-final tie against RB Leipzig.

All week boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst would have been hoping that his injury list eased up and that the likes of Kemar Roofe would be fit to give him a little more firepower up front.

In the event, Roofe never even made the bench but Rangers barely missed him as they started brightly on Thursday night at Ibrox and got two quick goals to establish

Eintracht are 11th in the Bundesliga but will still be tough opponents for Rangers in the final

a useful lead, before they lost Joe Aribo to injury at the end of the first half.

The Light Blues did make life more difficult for themselves in the second half with some loose marking, and Leipzig pulled one back.

But just when the pressure was on and the crowd was in a frenzy, John Lundstram stepped up to guide a truly excellent shot into the net and Rangers were on their way to the final in Seville.

There, they will be up against Eintracht Frankfurt, who disposed of West Ham 3-1 on aggregate.

The Germans are 11th in the Bundesliga. By contrast, RB Leipzig were fifth and Borussia Dortmund, Rangers’ other German victims on their run to the final, were second.

Still, Frankfurt will be tough opponents and Rangers will have to be at their best on the day.

One crucial factor in matches played at the end of a season is the fitness of players. Many will be carrying niggles which only a long rest would really cure but can you imagine any player passing up the chance of playing in a European final because of some minor problem?

Everyone in both squads will be geared up and ready to go in Seville and it should be quite an occasion.