Rangers vs Celtic: head to head

A PROPER SCOTTISH TITLE SCRAP

Despite what the narrative may suggest year on year, it’s been far too long since Scotland treated us to a proper Old Firm tug of war for the title. Since Rangers clawed their way back to the top flight in 2016, the tightest margin of victory for either Celtic or Rangers has been nine points – in 2018- 19, when Neil Lennon dragged the Bhoys to victory following the departure of Brendan Rodgers.

So what are the chances of a fight to the finish this time around? On paper, it looks far- fetched. Last time out, Rangers trashed Celtic’s best- laid plans for their historic 10 in a row, with Steven Gerrard masterminding an unbeaten Premiership season that ended with a 25- point advantage over their bitter rivals. En route, Gers battered Bhoys four times in five matches across league and cup, with the crescendo coming in May’s 4- 1 rout at Ibrox. The only mercy for Celtic fans last year was that they weren’t allowed to see the horror unfold in person.

Amid that grim scenario and since, the wounded Glaswegians have dispensed with Lennon and been led a merry dance by the preferred candidate to replace him, Eddie Howe ( who eventually rejected the job “for reasons outwith his or Celtic’s control,” read a curious official club statement).

Long- serving chief executive Peter Lawwell was already stepping down before his house was firebombed in May, while long- serving skipper Scott Brown made the difficult call to choose a player- coach role at Aberdeen despite his beloved club of 14 years’ best attempts to keep him. Throw in several key players who have clearly had one eye on a move to pastures new, and it’s easy to see why Rangers are red- hot favourites to build on last year’s success.

But things are rarely that straightforward, and a freshen up may well be exactly what’s required in Parkhead. After initial confusion about the left- field choice of ex- Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou, Celtic fans have rallied behind the straight- talking Australian – a theory backed up by impressive season ticket sales after last season’s lockdown.

While Gerrard and Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson are able to build from a position of strength, the blunt reality is that Celtic’s under- fire hierarchy can’t afford a repeat of last season, and are under huge pressure to fund a quickfire turnaround. Rightly or wrongly, incoming chief executive Dominic Mckay will be judged quickly; it’s just the nature of the beast in Glasgow. The same applies to Postecoglou, who will walk into a very different job from his previous gig at Yokohama F Marinos, whom he led to their first title for 15 years in 2019.

The stakes are high for both men, then, but some smart signings can yet inspire the title tussle that Scottish football has long been lacking. Revenge is in the air...

CELTIC’S PETER LAWWELL WAS ALREADY STEPPING DOWN BEFORE HIS HOUSE GOT FIREBOMBED IN MAY