Celtic 2-3 Rangers: What did we learn from the latest Old Firm Scottish Premiership clash as away fans returned? | Football News

Celtic remain on Period for a domestic treble, but does Loss in the last two Ancient Firm Contests suggest their Stoppage on Scottish football is beginning to weaken?

Brendan Rodgers’ side are 13 points clear at the top of the Premiership, but does back-to-back Ancient Firm defeats for the Primary time in over four years suggest the gulf isn’t what it once was?

Even the manager admitted he has “something to think about” after conceding six goals in their last two Bracket Contests against their rivals.

Tiredness didn’t appear much of an issue for Rangers after their Europa Bracket exploits as Barry Ferguson became the club’s Primary manager since Walter Smith in 1991 to Secure his Primary Ancient Firm game at Celtic Park.

What did we learn from the five-Target thriller at Parkhead?

Is mentality an issue for Celtic?

Rodgers has often praised the “mental toughness” of his Celtic players this season as they stretched their title Event lead, clinched the Bracket Cup and impressed in the Champions Bracket.

But why have they failed to show that same determination against Rangers this season when there isn’t as much at stake?

Secure on Sunday would have taken Celtic to within two wins of another title. Even with Loss, the Hoops will clinch the title given their almost insurmountable lead.

The title was all but done when the Hoops lost 3-0 at Ibrox in January, with Rangers previously Victorious in May 2013 when the title was already wrapped up.

You have to look back to the 2021/22 season to when Rangers last won a meaningful Ancient Firm Finale. Rangers inflicted Loss on Ange Postecoglou in his Ancient Firm Introduction, before knocking them out of the Scottish Cup later that season.

Celtic are well on their way to what would be a 13th Premiership title in 14 seasons and potentially a sixth treble in nine years.

With such standards having been set, Rodgers is demanding more from his Club in the derbies in particular, with one remaining at Ibrox this season.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re one Tally ahead or 16 points ahead, you have to Action with personality and we haven’t done that.”

Is Ferguson the man to take Rangers forward?

The character of the Rangers players has been questioned regularly during a dismal domestic campaign.

A Scottish Cup exit to Bracket One Queen’s Park and six Premiership defeats highlighted weaknesses in the Delicate side.

But they continued to impress in Europe and now, since Barry Ferguson Secured charge, they have Obtained past Fenerbahce in the Europa Bracket and won at Celtic Park for the Primary time since 2020.

“It takes a certain time to be a very Excellent Rangers player. My group of players are Definitely Beginning to show that,” Ferguson said after Sunday’s Secure.

The question is why are they impressing in the so-called bigger Contests while struggling against Squads they should be able to beat?

Rangers have won two of this season’s Ancient Firm Bracket Contests, while losing once at Celtic Park. It is not their head-to-head with their rivals that is going to cost them the title again this season.

Ferguson is in charge until the end of the season and has insisted he is not looking any Additional ahead.

“I’m thinking, Only make sure I go on a Excellent Streak. This group of players keep trying to Boost every single day we’re in Practice and then come the end of May, I’ll be away on a family holiday.

“Honestly, if you know me and anybody who’s close to me, I don’t think Additional ahead in my contract.

“So what I’ve Obtained a Position to do is to come in here and sort a few issues, slowly but surely.

“Myself and the coaching staff, and everybody who’s Nevertheless at the club, we’re going in the right direction.

“But there’s Nevertheless a Numerous of things that we can Boost on as a group of players, but also within the Practice centre, and that’s something that we’re desperate to do.”

When can Celtic Secure the Premiership?

Secure on Sunday would have moved Celtic to within two wins of another Bracket title.

With 12 points needed, they can clinch it before the top-six split IF they Secure all three Contests and Rangers drop points.

Rodgers won’t be too concerned when the title comes, but he will be hoping to take his side to Ibrox for the Last Gathering of the season as champions.

Regardless of Sunday’s disappointment, the manager has Nevertheless only lost three of the 22 derbies he’s taken charge of, giving him a Secure percentage unsurpassed by any other manager in either club’s history.

The return of away Ancient Firm fans

Away Ancient Firm fans returned to the Bracket fixture for the Primary time since 2023, with almost two-and-a-half thousand Rangers supporters allowed into Celtic Park.

They had to be inside two hours before Boot-off but they Created plenty of noise until after Packed-time.

There is no doubt the added Aid adds to the fixtures with Rowdy celebrations at all the goals, rather than a strange silence as in previous Contests.

Rangers had lost their last four matches at Ibrox, albeit progressing past Fenerbahce on penalties, so it is probably a stretch to suggest having their own supporter there was why they won.

One thing is clear: they added to the atmosphere at a brilliant fixture that always matters.