Kris Boyd delivered a scathing assessment of Rangers’ performance in their 3-0 defeat to Celtic, tearing into his former club in what can only be described as a rant for the ages.
The Ibrox legend, now a pundit for Sky Sports, didn’t hold back as he lambasted Rangers for their lackluster showing in the first Old Firm derby of the season at Celtic Park.
The match saw Rangers once again fall short against their fiercest rivals, with Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Callum McGregor sealing a dominant victory for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Boyd, who was part of the Sky Sports studio team analysing the match, was visibly frustrated at full-time. He described Rangers’ performance as “absolutely embarrassing,” drawing comparisons between the current team and the ill-fated side managed by Pedro Caixinha, a period remembered for its underachievement and chaos.
Boyd’s tirade was a continuation of his half-time analysis, where he had already described the match as “men against boys” and accused Rangers of a “total capitulation.” For Boyd, the gulf between the two Glasgow clubs was painfully evident.
“You don’t get time in football,” Boyd began, addressing the situation with his former team. “Do you think Rangers fans are sitting at home absolutely delighted watching Celtic celebrate in front of the TV, watching their team’s performance there? It is embarrassing. Embarrassing.”
He didn’t mince his words when it came to comparing the current Rangers squad to Celtic’s.
“The bookies made Celtic and Rangers the same price as they were under Pedro Caixinha when they came here. That is what they looked like. How many of that Rangers team would get in the Celtic team? None. And that is where you are trying to get to. None of them would get anywhere near it.”
Boyd specifically targeted Rangers captain James Tavernier, who has been a figure of both praise and criticism over the years. Boyd pointed to Tavernier’s lack of urgency and commitment as emblematic of Rangers’ wider issues.
“You’ve got a captain – I know James Tavernier has had his critics over the years – go and show a two-minute clip of why Celtic totally dominated that game. It was summed up within two minutes. James Tavernier laboring back when he lost the ball in the middle of the pitch, to Kyogo running the full length to tackle Tom Lawrence. That is the difference.”
Boyd’s most damning criticism came when he contrasted the mentalities of the two teams.
“Celtic make things happen, Rangers hope things happen. All this ‘we are improving, we are improving’ – it is about time people wise up and realise this isn’t going anywhere fast. That was embarrassing today.”
When asked about the mentality within the Rangers squad, Boyd didn’t hold back.
“The whole calling out your teammates – I don’t think that can happen anymore. There are no characters in football. You look at Callum McGregor, leads by example on the pitch, in terms of getting about it and making things happen.
“On the front foot and getting after teams, but also when it is time to sit off, be disciplined, and keep the ball. He’s totally different from what Scott Brown was. Rangers don’t have any leaders.”
Boyd’s frustration extended beyond just the defeat to Celtic, as he criticised the broader culture within the Rangers squad.
“They can kid themselves on all they want. They don’t have any leaders. Beating Ross County 6-0 and swaggering around like ‘I am the big guy, and it is all good, look at us’ – these are the games that matter and that you are judged on. I will say it again, that was embarrassing after 10 minutes there today for Rangers.”
Boyd’s comments at half-time were equally harsh, as Celtic led 2-0.
“When you look at it, since the offside goal was chopped off, it has been a total capitulation from Rangers. Let’s be realistic – it is men against boys out there at this moment in time. Rangers, in terms of pressing and going at them, it’s all well going that way. You’ve got to go the other way as well. Celtic’s midfield three are the other side of the Rangers midfield three when they score that goal. It can’t happen. It just cannot happen. You’ve got to fear the worst.”
When asked about the long-term damage this result could inflict, Boyd was unequivocal.
“Very, very [damaging]. Philippe Clement has tried to put a positive spin on it. A lot of people are buying into it. But let’s be realistic – if you look at these two teams right now, Rangers are trying to get to Celtic’s level, and the gulf is huge at this moment in time.”
Boyd’s scathing critique reflects the growing frustration among Rangers supporters, who have seen their team repeatedly fall short against Celtic in recent years. As Celtic continue to dominate Scottish football, the pressure on Philippe Clement and his Rangers squad is only set to intensify.