The pre–match sparring was tepid, as expected, in light of Celtic putting green and white ribbons on an 11th league title in 12 years.
However, talk of a dead rubber quickly dissipated once Steven McLean blew his whistle on a sun–baked Saturday afternoon at Ibrox. Rangers and manager Michael Beale were on the hunt for a tangible sign they could truly disrupt the Treble chasers. They certainly produced that as star man Todd Cantwell netted plus John Souttar and Fashion Sakala got in the act during the 3–0 win.
If this result didn't matter to Celtic then no one told manager Ange Postecoglou and skipper Callum McGregor – the key duo were left miffed by an abject display in which Rangers outworked and outclassed them, as Beale strives to breathe new life into a side who end the season trophyless. So how did watching eyes across the globe view it? Record Sport takes a look at the world media's reaction to the encounter at Ibrox.
Sofoot (France)
The convincing win at Ibrox was lauded in France – where they reckon the Ibrox side got the paddle out against their biggest rivals. It read: "Crowned Scottish champions last weekend, Celtic came down from their little cloud. After six derbies without a win, Rangers spanked their great rival this Saturday by sticking three goals at Ibrox. Todd Cantwell shot past Joe Hart with his right foot, John Souttar made the break from a corner and Fashion Sakala definitively punished an apathetic defence by eliminating the goalkeeper in cold blood. An Old Firm is good for morale on the side of the Gers."
Kicker (Germany)
Yes, Rangers' attacking verve and swagger caught the eye but they were equally impressed with the ability to keep the free–scoring champions at bay. They wrote: "Shortly after Celtic were able to celebrate their championship, Rangers annoyed their big rivals and won 3-0 thanks to early goals. Rangers were simply more efficient. While the guest dressed in green and white repeatedly ran into the Rangers bulwark (defensive wall) in vain."
Trivela (Brazil)
There's always a local line and Beale is remembered in Brazil, they said: "Rangers finally managed a victory over champions Celtic in the season. Even with the title decided, the Gers, commanded by Michael Beale, former assistant to Rogério Ceni at São Paulo, wanted to end the season on a high and with a victory over the rival, in the sixth duel between the clubs in the season. The 3-0 victory was incontestable and served for Rangers to stamp the Celtic title banner."
BeSoccer (Spain)
The decision not to perform a guard of honour was on the register of those in Espana. The website wrote: "Rangers, who did not make the traditional aisle for the champions before the game, achieved their first victory in the last five Old Firm, as the Glasgow derby is known, at Ibrox Stadium."
Aksam (Turkey)
A win and 90 minutes for Ridvan Yilmaz – all good to those watching in Turkey. They wrote: "A surprising result emerged. The host Rangers won 3-0 in the exciting match played at Ibrox Stadium, and their goals were; Todd Cantwell recorded in the 5th minute, John Souttar in the 34th minute and Fashion Sakala in the 70th minute. Turkish football player Rıdvan Yılmaz, who wore the Rangers jersey, stayed on the field for 90 minutes in the match he started in the first XI."
TuttoMercatoWeb (Italy)
Italian eyes watched a dominant display from Beale's men. They wrote: "Already champions of Scotland, Celtic lose heavily in the Glasgow derby against Rangers, who, second in the standings, win with a clear 3-0 against the green-and-whites. The match in the afternoon was never questioned, with two Rangers goals immediately in half an hour, before Sakala's trio in the second half."
Football Skanalen (Sweden)
"In the second half, Fashion Sakala would definitely close the game with a 3-0 goal which was prompted by some serious sloppiness in the Celtic defence. Carl Starfelt and Callum McGregor made it their own in the build-up phase and practically gave the ball away to Sakala who was completely free with Hart rounding the keeper to reel in 3-0."
Sport Sport (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Beale has Rangers fans believing but not as much as one reporter in Bosnia. An exciting match report was hinged on four games remaining this season – rather than three. But while the Tynecastle title Huddle was missed in Herzegovina, they were all–in on Rangers. It read: "Celtic now have 95 points, 10 more than Rangers, who are second, and will remain so until the end. There are still four rounds to go and the only question is when Celtic will mathematically secure the title, and they have a chance for that already in the next round."
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