Old Firm plays second fiddle for Rangers
RANGERS earned a point that will ultimately count for nothing. The Premiership prize has slipped from their grasp but now it is Europa League silverware that is in their sights.
A second-half equaliser from Fashion Sakala was a just reward for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side as the spoils were shared in the final Old Firm fixture of the campaign.
Attentions are now fully fixed on the second leg against RB Leipzig. That is one that Rangers simply must win after avoiding a derby defeat.
Strong selection pays dividends
The debate since the full-time whistle in Leipzig on Thursday night all centred on which side would take to the field at Parkhead. In a conversation where there is no definitive answer, it would be hard to argue that Van Bronckhorst got it that wrong with the team he named.
Not starting Ryan Jack was always going to weaken Rangers, but he will be needed for an inspiring performance at Ibrox. John Lundstram is more influential than Glen Kamara so it was right that he started, while Sakala deserved his chance after being overlooked for Scott Wright in midweek.
In truth, Van Bronckhorst did not have that many alternative options. With Filip Helander, Ianis Hagi and Alfredo Morelos out for the season and Aaron Ramsey and Kemar Roofe not fit to return yet, there were few others who could have been pitched in without Rangers running the risk of being too weak to even compete against Celtic.
The lack of quality in the final third was still stark.
Question marks remain over Sakala’s place in this squad despite his fine finish as the absences of Morelos and Roofe, both more natural scorers, really told once again.
Van Bronckhorst did the best he could with what was available and the same can be said of his players. Rangers merited their draw and can be proud of their efforts.
Rangers delay inevitable
This result will not matter a great deal in two weeks’
time. Sooner rather than later, the red, white and blue ribbons will be replaced by green and white ones and the Premiership trophy will make the journey from Ibrox to Parkhead.
It was a day that summed up many aspects of the campaign for Rangers. There were moments of quality and of heart, others where individual mistakes proved costly as points were dropped once again.
The defence of their crown will last only one term. Come the final reckoning, the soon to be former champions can have no complaints over that fact and this draw only delayed the inevitable.
The margins between the Old Firm are tight. Celtic will be worthy winners, but Ange Postecoglou’s side are not streets ahead of the team whose title they will take this month.
That fact makes it all the more galling and upsetting for Rangers. This was a title they should have won relatively comfortably, but their abject failings on and off the park have been their undoing as they have shot themselves in the foot throughout the campaign.
The summer offers a chance to regroup and rebuild. Those tasked with the job cannot afford to make the same mistakes twice now Rangers are playing catch up in Glasgow once again.
Focus shifts to game of greater importance
It is rare that an Old Firm fixture is not the biggest one of the week for Rangers but that was the unique situation that presented itself here. This game mattered, of course it did, and it was never going to be a meaningless derby, but it was an outing that Rangers only needed to win for bragging rights.
When it comes to the return fixture with Leipzig, there is far, far more on the line. In just 90 minutes, Rangers could be Europa League finalists and history could await.
It would be a remarkable effort if they could overcome the Bundesliga giants and set up a meeting with West Ham United or Frankfurt. This was not the perfect preparation, but there was no real damage done in terms of fitness or morale.
Rangers can still head into the second leg full of confidence and with a belief that they can take the final step towards Seville as they continue to fly the flag for Scotland on the continent.
A repeat of the pummelling at Parkhead earlier this term would have been a real blow for Van Bronckhorst’s side but there was no re-run of that wretched performance and embarrassing result.
In the end, a draw was the least they deserved. Time will tell if they can earn the win they need now.