Celtic’s 3-1 win over RB Leipzig on Tuesday night was widely applauded not only by Scottish fans but also by media across Europe.
Brendan Rodgers’ Champions League campaign took a big step forward with the result at Parkhead, as the Scottish champions are in a good position to qualify for the knockout stages.
Leipzig received a swift and critical reaction in Germany. Many media agencies condemned the Bundesliga team for its fourth consecutive Champions League defeat.
Despite some German publications directing criticism at Celtic’s outstanding player Nicolas Kuhn, the general tone was admirable for Rodgers’ team, whose play on the night was undeniably outstanding.
McCoist responded to Celtic’s dominance:
Ally McCoist, a well-known talkSPORT personality, former Rangers striker and TNT Sports presenter, gave his views on Celtic’s latest European triumph in conversation with Alan Brazil. McCoist’s admiration for Celtic was, as usual, tempered by a certain amount of rivalry-fuelled resistance.
“What can I say? I don’t think it broke my heart, but I don’t feel particularly comfortable saying it. What about your crowd on Tuesday night?” McCoist said, “Oh, my dear.”
Celtic’s current pace is obvious; it has both power and pace, especially in the light of their recent performance in Dortmund.
The aim was to bounce back with two outstanding results, and at first I believed that would be the case. On Tuesday evening, I watched the highlights of the match. A great result.
“But I have to give you credit, you did well.” You have given yourselves a great chance to qualify.
For McCoist, Celtic’s resurgence is a source of pain.
McCoist’s admiration for Celtic’s recent performances is sincere, if sad. He is forced to observe Celtic’s consistent home superiority over Rangers over the past two decades.
Celtic have been a dominant force in the Scottish Premiership this season and are now making waves in Europe.
McCoist has often expressed his less than enthusiastic views on Celtic’s success in the context of the rivalry. The following is a collection of his more reserved statements regarding the Parkhead team this season:
Regarding referees in Old Firm matches:
“Ignoring the possibility that some of the referees officiating at Rangers and Celtic matches may have had a family member or child connected with Celtic or Rangers, we are deluding ourselves.” However, we cannot doubt their integrity.
On supporting Celtic in favour of Rangers:
“Have you enquired whether I will be supporting them?” Yes. I don’t think I would encourage them. I’d hate to concede a win, but I’m not sure I’d be covertly encouraging them. “That may be an overreaction.”
On the current state of Celtic and Rangers:
“I don’t think the two indigenous clubs are doing well on both fronts this year.” I really don’t think so, I mean it. I believe Celtic are superior; but I don’t believe their performance is comparable to their recent performance. However, I am indifferent to the comments of others; it is not sour grapes as I rightly believe both sides are mediocre, as I have been arguing for weeks.
On Celtic’s relegation:
“I am truly appalled by what is happening at my club.” I am looking into it at the moment and the recruitment process has been incredibly inadequate in recent years. Funds have been distributed to individuals who, to be honest, have not used them in a prudent way.
“We are currently playing our home games at Hampden in the top flight.” At the moment we are quite far from the pitch. It is with great sadness that I have to admit that we are far from achieving our goals, both on and off the pitch. We have an enormous amount of work ahead of us.
However, an irregular praise is still a praise:
McCoist, despite his allegiance to Celtic, has consistently demonstrated his impartiality when discussing it. However, it is obvious that acknowledging their dominance, especially when it comes at the expense of his cherished Rangers, does not come easily to him.
However, even McCoist had to acknowledge Celtic’s determination, strength and speed after Tuesday’s resounding victory.
As Rodgers’ Celtic team continues to impress across Europe, critics, including the likes of McCoist, have no choice but to acknowledge its strength as it now confidently battles to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages.