Rangers supporters did not bother waiting until full time to make their displeasure towards Michael Beale abundantly clear. The 64th-minute removal of Kemar Roofe triggered howls of derision from the Ibrox stands which only intensified when the Rangers players completed an ill-advised lap of the pitch after the final whistle. Just four games into the Scottish Premiership season, Beale is a man under serious pressure.
It is difficult to make a case for the Rangers manager. After something of a summer transfer revolution, just three new players – Jack Butland, Dujon Sterling and Cyriel Dessers – started this Old Firm derby. Sterling only featured because of a shortage of left-backs. It should be noted that just one of Celtic’s recent recruits, Gustaf Lagerbielke, started but they were not the team in need of a transformation. The best side in Scotland from the last campaign are already four points clear of their oldest foes. Rangers lacked the finesse and composure of Celtic here. It looks as if Beale is presiding over regression rather than progression.
“It is a bitterly disappointing day,” said Beale. “It is not where we want to be in terms of points at this stage of the season.” Rangers’ manager said he understands the frustrations of fans but insisted the outcome was “harsh” on his team.
The latter point is not particularly valid. The decent football came from those in hoops. Nonetheless, Rangers can cling to a controversial first-half episode which prevented them from taking the lead. Dessers looked to have picked the pocket of Lagerbielke before playing in Roofe, who slammed the ball beyond Joe Hart. On the advice of the VAR official, match referee Don Robertson took a second look at the incident and determined Dessers fouled the Swedish defender. The free-kick was unquestionably soft in nature. “I think he is a lucky boy,” said Beale of Lagerbielke. Brendan Rodgers unsurprisingly took an alternative stance, with his belief that Lagerbielke was “nicked”.
As Beale, who offered faux defiance, stewed this was a significant victory for Rodgers. A League Cup exit at Kilmarnock and last weekend’s home draw with St Johnstone triggered grumbling among a section of the Celtic support. It helped the visitors’ cause at Ibrox that Callum McGregor was back to his best in midfield. He dictated the game. “It could have been more convincing but it is a brilliant win,” Rodgers said. “It is exactly what the group needed.”
Celtic started the better side in the opening 45 minutes but two gilt-edged chances missed by Kyogo Furuhashi meant it took until first-half stoppage time for them to press home that advantage. Connor Goldson’s lazy defensive header was returned with interest by Matt O’Riley. Furuhashi’s marauding run set him free from the Rangers backline; the Japan forward lashed home in fine fashion on the half-volley.
An excellent Jack Butland save prevented Liel Abada from doubling Celtic’s advantage five minutes after the restart. Sam Lammers wasted Rangers’ finest opportunity for salvation, the forward rounding Hart before tripping over his own feet. The moment rather summed up Rangers’ lack of sophistication.
Rodgers’ post-match concern surrounded the absence of away supporters at this fixture. “It is not the same game,” said Celtic’s manager. Whether his plea for substantial visiting allocations to be restored resonates in boardrooms remains to be seen.
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“Michael and I are very satisfied with the work we have done both in and out in the summer,” boasted the Rangers chief executive, James Bisgrove, in programme notes. Paying punters beg to differ, as Beale now knows only too well.
