5 STEPS TO 55
They say about a league campaign, ‘it’s not a sprint it’s a marathon’, well that old cliché couldn’t sum up the attitude of Glasgow Rangers’ loyal fanbase any better. Not only this campaign, where the outcome has seemed a foregone conclusion since the turn of the year, but ten years of anguish under Celtic’s monopolisation of Scottish football. Since a financial downfall condemned Rangers to the bottom of Scotland’s footballing tiers, Old Firm rivals Celtic have hit a golden period few sides in word football can boast. Between Rangers’ final season in the topflight (prior to administration) and the 2019/20 season (cut short by the covid-19 pandemic), Celtic have accumulated a staggering 18 trophies, including an unprecedented ‘quadruple treble’, averaging two pieces of silverware per season. Almost a decade of torment for the blue half of Glasgow. Celtic’s interminable success was worsened by continuous cries of ‘Here we go, ten in a row’, the threat Celtic posed of 10 consecutive league titles, a would-be first in Scottish history. Most Scottish football supporters, not only of a Celtic persuasion, considered the permanent appointment of Neil Lennon in May 2019 as the turning point in the collapse of ten-in-a-row. Lennon, who clinched the first title following Rangers’ financial woes, completed what Brendan Rodgers started in the 2018/19 campaign. Under Lennon’s guidance, Celtic sealed the title and Scottish Cup to complete yet another domestic treble. Despite this success, the overall attitude of Celtic’s passionate fanbase was that Lennon’s efforts were fine as a quick fix. Rodgers had downed tools and the Bhoys were looking for someone experienced to finish the job. However, in the long run, Celtic were crying out for a fresh face in the dugout. Someone that could match the enthusiasm and creativity the blue half of the city had. But, of course, that would cost the club money which they had been so reluctant to cough up throughout Rangers’ period of despair. In the following campaign, disrupted by the covid-19 pandemic, Celtic held a 13-point lead over their rivals when the SFA pulled the plug on the season. Given their substantial lead at the top, Celtic were awarded their 9th consecutive league title, before completing yet another treble, defeating Hearts in the Scottish Cup final once the 2020/21 season had commenced. Although Celtic tied up a historic quadruple treble last season the warning signs were there. During the League Cup Final in December 2019, Steven Gerrard’s Rangers dominated large spells of the game. However, Christopher Jullien’s strike on the hour mark was enough to fend off Rangers who saw an Alfredo Morelos penalty saved by Fraser Forster. That afternoon, Sunday 8th December 2019, remains Celtic’s last derby day victory to date. Twenty days later, at Parkhead, Ryan Kent and Nikola Katic netted to tighten Celtic’s lead at the top to just two points. Whilst the Gers couldn’t build on that result and subsequently dropped off, Gerrard’s men proved they could match the quality of Celtic on their day.
Once the dust settled amidst the abrupt
and slightly controversial 2019/20 campaign, there was a sense of optimism in
the Rangers camp. For the first time since re-entering the topflight, there was
a real belief that the Gers could pose a legitimate title challenge to the
Hoops. Just in time too. Ten-in-a-row was in touching distance for Lennon’s
group. Having already shown their ability to outclass Celtic in the previous
campaign, all Gerrard’s side required to mount a title challenge was; more
stability at the back, not to leak so many avoidable goals, see out games and perhaps
the toughest of all… Tame the Buffalo. Alfredo Morelos had become a liability
for the Gers. A potent striker in the penalty area but a high tempered
individual who across the course of the season severely cost his side. Not only
have they seen a huge improvement in Morelos’ temper, but as precaution to both
his threat of suspension and (for a while during the transfer window) his
departure, Rangers bolstered their attacking options. Kemar Roofe and Cedric
Itten were introduced to the side during the first transfer window. As well as an
upgrade in attacking depth, Gerrard brought in experienced centre-half Leon
Balogun for more defensive stability. The frustration and anguish built-up over
the past nine years at Rangers appears to have been unleashed in an emphatic
manner over the course of this season. Since the whistle blew to kick-off the
2020/21 season on a windy Saturday afternoon in Aberdeen, Gerrard’s boys have
been ruthless. There has been notable productivity in the goalscoring
department this season, but the key to Rangers’ success has been in their stubborn
defensive showing. Saturday marked the 32nd league game of Rangers’ season
and with it their 24th clean sheet.
Rangers have taken every game as it
comes, never looking ahead nor behind. Their consistency has been terrific all
season and although each point is of equal value there were several games which
could quite easily make or break Rangers’ season. Here are the five most significant
steps towards title number 55 for Glasgow Rangers:
01/08/2020
– Aberdeen 0-1 Rangers:
1-0 has been Rangers’ most common result
so far this season. Seven league matches have ended with this score line in the
Gers favour. Don’t let the one goal margin of victory fool you however, Rangers
have dominated their lion share of fixtures this year. If Rangers were to halt Celtic’s
ten-in-a-row charge they had to get off to a positive start. Had Gerrard’s men kicked
off the campaign with a defeat, who knows how their season might have unfolded.
Fortunately for their supporters, Ryan Kent’s first half strike laid the
foundations for this historic season. During his post-match interview Steven
Gerrard emphasised the importance of the result, insisting his side had set
down ‘a marker’ following their opening day win. Due to tv scheduling the game
was bumped up to the early kick off slot, casting Rangers further into the
limelight. Gerrard’s Rangers showed their capability to see games through, something
they would continue throughout the campaign and addressing one of their key
weaknesses from the prior season.
17/10/2020
– Celtic 0-2 Rangers:
The first Old Firm game of the
campaign is always pivotal in how the table looks by the seasons end. Heading into
this fixture at Parkhead, Rangers sat just one point ahead of Celtic at the peak
of the league table, with the Hoops having played one game fewer. Victory at
Parkhead increased the Rangers lead to four points, thus bridging the gap at
the top large enough so that even a Celtic victory in their game in hand would
keep them just 2nd. Not only did the win keep Celtic at bay but
Rangers’ domination in Celtic’s own back yard that afternoon gave them a psychological
advantage. Lennon’s side were without some key players such as Odsonne Edouard and
Ryan Christie for the seasons opening Old Firm joust, but regardless failed to register
a single shot on target. Goals from Connor Goldson either side of the interval were
enough for Rangers to pack up the three points and take them back to Govan.
19/12/2020
– Rangers 3-1 Motherwell:
Scanning the Rangers archives, a win over Motherwell at Ibrox might seem routine, but there is significant context behind this 3-1 victory. Just three days prior to the game, St Mirren of all sides snapped a 27-game unbeaten run for Gerrard’s side. A Jamie McGrath double contributed to a 3-2 win for The Buddies during the League Cup Quarter-Final. In previous years, an upset such as this one may have derailed the Gers campaign. Unbeaten in 27, Rangers were on cloud nine, a defeat not only to minnows St Mirren but in knockout conditions could have knocked them off their pedestal. Gerrard had just three days to regroup and settle his boys before they faced Motherwell at Ibrox. This game would prove telling in the sides character and if the psychological hurdle wasn’t enough, Callum Lang’s opener for the visitors inside ten minutes certainly was. Rangers controlled the game from that point onwards, however, with Ryan Kent instrumental in their attack. Despite the statistics, 82% possession in Rangers’ favour, the hosts frustrated themselves with some sloppy finishing. Finally, however, the Gers found a breakthrough. With a little over fifteen minutes remaining Ryan Kent found space in the penalty area to poke the ball in Kemar Roofe’s direction before the striker lashed home an emphatic equaliser. As Rangers penetrated their opponents, the squad’s depth once again stood out. Cedric Itten, on for Jermaine Defoe, headed Rangers in front at the far post following a corner. To Gerrard’s delight, Roofe added a third for the home side to settle any nerves remaining from their midweek defeat at St Mirren. The importance of this victory never escaped Steven Gerrard who during his post-match interview claimed his side had ‘passed a big test with flying colours’. With three late goals mounting a comeback, Gerrard’s side showed the mental strength asked of a potential champion. Aside from a psychological boost, this win increased Rangers’ lead at the top to 16-points. Nothing could stop this side.
26/12/2020
– Rangers 1-0 Hibs:
Rangers avoided another potential blip in their pursuit of 55 when they held off Hibs in their fourth game across just ten days. Following the League Cup defeat at St Mirren and a difficult afternoon with Motherwell, Hibs could very easily have dealt a blow to Rangers’ fantastic league form. In recent years Hibs have had Rangers’ number, notably under Neil Lennon’s guidance, but a first half Ianis Hagi goal was enough to kill off Hibs at Ibrox on Boxing Day. Allan McGregor made a terrific stop late on to keep the clean sheet intact, but truth be told the score line flattered Hibs. Alfredo Morelos was unfortunate not to double his side’s lead late on having come off the bench. Perhaps also worth noting is the fact that Rangers took revenge on St Mirren just four days later with a 2-0 win, before going on to defeat Celtic at home three days after that. By defeating Hibs, Rangers were able to restore a 16-point lead at the top, with Celtic still three games behind. Had Hibs emulated their heroics of previous years and stolen all three points at Ibrox, assuming Celtic won all three games in hand, Gerrard’s lead at the top could have dwindled down to just four points at one stage.
17/01/2021
– Motherwell 1-1 Rangers:
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