Talisman Todd Cantwell inspired Rangers to an emphatic win over Celtic as Michael Beale’s team finally put a year of derby despair to bed.
Ange Postecoglou’s newly-crowned kings of Scotland arrived at Glasgow a week on from picking up their second straight Premiership crown looking to extend their run of Old Firm rampage to seven games without defeat. But those hopes were smashed within six minutes as former Norwich ace Cantwell gave the pumped up home support just what they were looking for.
Another goal just after the half-hour mark from John Souttar gave the Light Blues breathing space before erratic hitman Fashion Sakala for once kept his cool to round off Beale’s first win over the Hoops since his November appointment. The result won’t affect Celtic and their Treble charge - which will be decided on June 3 when the league and Viaplay Cup winners take on Inverness in the Scottish Cup final.
But it will renew Rangers’ reserves of self-belief before a huge summer in which Beale will attempt a major overhaul of his squad. And it’s a performance that saw January recruit Cantwell underline his burgeoning status as the main man for new boss Beale.
There was nothing on the line as the teams met for the sixth and final time this season but you wouldn’t have known by the way the hosts erupted out the traps. Beale’s men swarmed over the champions, desperate to force an error that might lead to the breakthrough.
And it took them just six minutes to get what they were after. Cantwell, the only Ibrox player to have shown any form of defiance in the last couple of dispiriting derby defeats, was again the man that took the fight Celtic.
Spraying the ball out to Sakala, the former Norwich man darted his way forward, breaking into the box just as Joe Hart got hands on a John Lundstram strike from Sakala’s lay-off. The Celtic keeper had to do better than push it straight into Cantwell’s path but was made to look extra silly as the Rangers ace slammed the rebound through his legs.
The Ibrox faithful roared with delight - but it wasn’t long before a nervous hush decency over the place as their team backed off from that rampant start. Celtic even almost grabbed an immediate equaliser as Liel Abada sprang clear down the right.
Robby McCrorie - starting in goal for the second game running - was off his line smartly but a slip almost gave Oh Hyeon-gyu an empty net to fire into. Gers’ third-choice shot-stopper, however, was up off his feet quickly, rushing the South Korean into a chip that bounced back off the face of the post.
Beale’s team weren’t quite under siege but had to dig in as Celtic began to boss possession. It was only a breather, however, and they again turned the heat up on the Hoops as the game ticked past the half-hour mark.
It was then that Souttar - who has had to endure so much during a year of personal pain on and off the pitch - finally had reason to smile as he thumped home Rangers’ second goal. The Scotland defender had Yuki Kobayashi for close company as James Tavernier delivered a corner from the right but there was only one winner of that contest as Souttar’s header slammed past Hart.
It was the first time Gers had enjoyed a two-goal cushion over their bitter rivals since the final derby of their 2020-21 title-winning campaign. No wonder then that Celtic were out early foe the start of the second period, eager to get going again.
But it was the home side who were first to threaten as the game restarted, with Hart recovering impressively to save from Cantwell after forcing the on-rushing Sakala to turn back. But Gers only had to wait until the 70th minute to ensure 12 months of derby pain was finally over and again it was Cantwell who put the move in motion as he put the pressure on Callum McGregor and Carl Starfelt.
His foraging presented Sakala with a clear run in on goal and for once the erratic Zambian didn’t rush his moment, cooly side-stepping Hart before rolling home the third. Record Sport breaks down the talking points.
Who says he Cant do it?
Cantwell had been urged pre-match to show his worth in the Old Firm and didn’t waste any time with sharp reactions to bury the opener. The midfielder was sharp in the opening stages making clever runs as well showed an appetite for the game as he cut out passes from Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley in quick succession to get his side moving. Same again after the restart. Denied a second goal only by Hart and a huge part in Sakala’s strike. The former Norwich man properly announced himself as a Rangers player in the country’s biggest fixture. He was outstanding in all aspects..
Bernabei and Kobayashi blow their chance
The injury to Cameron Carter-Vickers and a subs slot for Greg Taylor gave Kobayashi and Bernabei their opportunity. The Japanese was caught on his heels and not alive with Cantwell quicker to react to Hart’s loose parry from Lundstram and muscled aside by Souttar. The Argentine was eager enough and fought his corner, but unable to exert the type of authority and composure within the game of the Scotland star he replaced.
Good learning curve for both even if it was a deeply unhappy afternoon on which both most improve.
Oh so close
The South Korean got a first start against Rangers with Kyogo on the subs bench and had a good battle against Souttar and Goldson. The attacker had a glorious early chance which he didn’t take with a one-on-one dink against a post. Replaced by the top scorer in the final half an hour as the visitors tried to chase the game and a valuable experience for the hitman ahead of next season.
Morelos misses out
The Colombian is on his way out of Rangers and had to be content with a place on the bench as Beale started Sakala and Matondo. The two strikers drifted into wider positions leaving space for Cantwell in between and their work helped the team unit. The Zambian’s appetite for graft saw him in the right place to pounce when the opening goalscorer caused Starfelt and McGregor to error and his advance and saunter around Hart before his finish were excellent and justified the manager’s move. Morelos didn’t even get on in the final stages. Robby McCrorie also justified Beale's selection with a strong game and a clean sheet.
Beale vs Ange
There may have been nothing on the game for Michael Beale in terms of trophies, but this was a big day in his managerial reign at Ibrox. Failing to get wins over Celtic is not acceptable for any Rangers manager and this success was needed at a fifth time of asking. Ange Postecoglou doesn’t like to lose games and this would not have been an enjoyable experience. Although they had spoken beforehand about keeping up standards and levels, the Aussie’s team were second best all across Ibrox.
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