At full time a deathly hush seemed to descend over Ibrox: the realisation that a season’s efforts had come to nothing, that the title they spent a decade craving and coveting and finally claiming last year has now all but slipped from their grasp. For, after a performance of extraordinary maturity and resilience in the most hostile of settings, Celtic are six points clear in the Scottish Premiership. Their 700 fans, whooping and celebrating in their cramped little corner of Ibrox, knew as well as anyone that the game is up.
Ange Postecoglou was asked afterwards where this left the title race. “We’re three points closer, mate,” was all he would say, but on this evidence Celtic look like worthy champions in waiting. Tom Rogic and Cameron Carter‑Vickers got the goals but it was at the other end of the pitch that they really distinguished themselves: endless blocks, endless clearing headers, discipline and cohesion and naturally a little gamesmanship when it was required. Their midfield, written off before this game as too slight and technical for a game such as this, was a superb second line of defence, never allowing Rangers to take control of the game despite Aaron Ramsey’s third-minute goal.
