Simon Donnelly’s observation that Rangers had mentally conceded defeat to Celtic long before the final whistle blew seems to have merit, particularly when considering a key moment captured during live radio coverage.
The Premiership champions capped off the pre-international break period with a resounding 3-0 victory over their rivals in a match that could have easily seen a larger scoreline in favor of Celtic. Rangers initially displayed promise, but the momentum notably shifted following Kyogo’s early disallowed goal, setting the tone for the remainder of the game. Goals from Daizen Maeda and Kyogo before halftime firmly established Celtic’s dominance on the pitch.
As Rangers found themselves trailing 2-0, Philippe Clement was preparing to introduce a trio of substitutes in a bid to turn the tide of the match. However, a spectacular long-range strike from Callum McGregor extended Celtic’s lead to 3-0, prompting a change of plans from Clement. Opting for damage limitation over a potential resurgence, he opted to bring on Leon Balogun instead of the initially intended Danilo. This strategic substitution seemingly reflected an acknowledgment from Clement that a victory for Rangers was far out of reach.
Donnelly’s analysis during the Celtic podcast underscored the lack of fighting spirit from Rangers and the overwhelming strength of Celtic’s side. The acceptance of defeat, as Donnelly remarked, was palpable in the Rangers camp, creating a scenario where Celtic’s victory seemed a foregone conclusion. The absence of fiery determination from Rangers players like Tavernier and Maeda further highlighted the one-sidedness of the match, ultimately leading to a comfortable afternoon for Celtic. In essence, Rangers’ acceptance of their fate seemed to set the stage for Celtic’s triumph, as noted by Donnelly’s shrewd observation.
