‘Rangers deserved to win but reaction has been over the top’

I GENUINELY felt we had a title race this season. Rangers showed in the (Betfred Cup) final that they are a real threat to Celtic. It is certainly not going to be a stroll in the park like it has been for the previous eight seasons. Whenever Celtic get beaten, because they have been so dominant — they got beaten twice last season by Rangers, one of them was when the league was already won — there is always an outcry and everyone goes a little bit over the top. You have to put a bit of perspective on the win. Yes, Rangers were better. They played ever so well, they got the tactics right, they had players who caused Celtic an awful lot of problems and Celtic didn’t pass the ball well. They are closing the gap, they have got some very good players but Celtic missed a penalty and had two opportunities cleared off the line. Big moments in the game. But Celtic have played Rangers three times this season and beaten them twice. Celtic are going for their 15th title in the last 19 years and have won the previous ten trophies on offer. So, yes, Rangers deserved the win, they played really well but crisis? There are still another 17 or 18 games to play this season in the league. There is always a massive outcry, people go over the top, they get carried away. Rangers were better on Sunday, it was a fantastic performance, good luck to them. But let’s not overreact because Celtic lost one game.

John Hartson was speaking on TalkSport