The aftermath of Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup Final has sparked intense debate, with some even calling for the match to be replayed due to refereeing errors. Frankly, the suggestion is preposterous, though one might jest about revisiting past controversies if such a precedent were ever set.
If we’re replaying matches over officiating mistakes, perhaps we should dig up the 2003 League Cup Final between Celtic and Rangers. Remember John Hartson’s goal? It was ruled out for offside despite him being 25 yards onside, and Rangers went on to win the trophy.
Shall we have another go at that? Or better still, let’s replay every major final in history where decisions went awry. It’s an absurd notion, and one that highlights the hysteria of the current reaction.
Rangers may take little solace in Willie Collum’s admission that VAR officials bungled the penalty decision. But using this incident as a distraction from yet another defeat to Celtic – and another lost trophy – does them no favours.
Even if the penalty had been awarded, there’s no guarantee it would have changed the result. Celtic could have scored again, or the penalty might have been missed. Football doesn’t deal in hypotheticals.
Back in 2003, we had opportunities to score after Hartson’s disallowed goal but didn’t take them. That’s football. Similarly, Rangers had their chances on Sunday but fell short. The way they’ve reacted since smacks of diminished expectations and a lingering losers’ mentality at Ibrox.
There’s been a narrative emerging that Rangers were somehow robbed and played exceptionally well. Let’s not forget they conceded three goals to a Celtic side that wasn’t even at its best.
Are we now awarding moral victories because they avoided a heavy defeat? This isn’t the Rangers I remember competing against. This is a team clutching at excuses to mask their shortcomings.
To their credit, Rangers did show fight, particularly in the first half when they managed to stifle Celtic. They battled back to equalise twice, but ultimately, they fell short. And falling short, yet again, leaves major questions hanging over the team.
Under Philippe Clement, Rangers have shown glimpses of improvement. Their performance against Spurs was impressive, and there’s been progress in recent weeks. But the sample size is small, and it’s too early to overlook the disastrous first few months of the season. Clement has bought himself some time, but failure to beat Celtic at Ibrox in the New Year could seal his fate.
His complaints about the Hampden penalty call may resonate with fans, but they shouldn’t overshadow the deeper issues plaguing the club. Nor should they detract from Celtic’s achievement. Unlike Rangers, Celtic know how to win, and they’ve been doing so consistently.
Criticism of Celtic’s recent performances is harsh and misplaced. Winning week in, week out is no easy feat. I know from experience how tough it is to maintain that level. Yet, Celtic have done so admirably. They haven’t lost domestically since March and have rarely scored fewer than two goals in a game. Their resilience in grinding out results, even in challenging conditions like the recent Pittodrie monsoon, is commendable.
The difference between the two clubs is stark. Celtic have more levels to their game and greater financial muscle to strengthen in January. Rumours of Kieran Tierney’s potential return have already excited fans. Tierney is a quality player, but questions remain about his fitness after a difficult few years. It would be a significant coup for Celtic if they could bring him back, but it would also require a major financial commitment.
Tierney’s return would be a deviation from Celtic’s usual financial model. Even with a reduced wage, it would be a substantial investment for a player with limited resale value. Yet, for a player of his calibre, it might just be worth it. The gamble lies in his fitness. English clubs can afford to take such risks; for Celtic, it’s a much bigger question.
Greg Taylor’s situation adds another layer of intrigue. He’s been a fantastic signing for Celtic, despite struggles at Champions League level, but a new deal now seems unlikely. Alex Valle, too, may see his future elsewhere, with no sign of a permanent deal at Celtic. Tierney could provide an answer to these dilemmas, though nothing is certain in football.
For now, Celtic march on, while Rangers are left to pick up the pieces. Sunday’s defeat wasn’t just about one decision; it was a reflection of the broader gulf between the two clubs. Rangers must stop using refereeing controversies as a crutch and focus on closing that gap. As for the calls for a replay, I’ll not hold my breath – nor will I be lacing up my boots for a rematch of 2003.
Celtic didn’t play bad Rangers played well to stop Celtic playing