Celtic’s lackluster performance against Rangers at Ibrox on Thursday was a stark contrast to their victory in the League Cup final last month. Even Brendan Rodgers, who witnessed his team’s less-than-impressive start in that match, would have been disappointed by their performance. The post-New Year Premiership encounter saw Celtic struggling to find their rhythm, with several players lucky not to be substituted at halftime.
Tempers flared as Celtic’s players failed to deliver on the pitch, culminating in an incident where Jefte elbowed Nicolas Kuhn, resulting in a bloody injury. Despite receiving a yellow card, Neil Lennon defended Jefte, arguing that there was no malice in the elbow and supporting the referee’s decision. However, tensions rose further when Kris Boyd referenced another challenge involving Alistair Johnston, prompting Lennon to express his displeasure at the comparison.
The match was a forgettable one for Celtic, with Rodgers opting not to make any changes at halftime, much to the frustration of fans and pundits alike. The team’s lack of intensity and poor performance left much to be desired, and they will need to regroup and refocus after this disappointing result. The incident involving Jefte and Kuhn added to the drama of the game, highlighting the physicality and heated atmosphere between the two rivals. As Celtic looks to bounce back from this defeat, they will need to address their issues and work on improving their form in their upcoming matches.
