Editor’s Note: This was written yesterday and was published on The 4th Official Patreon page at the time, so keep that in mind, please.
I don’t think it would be correct to start any piece without paying tribute to the 66 souls who tragically lost their lives at Ibrox 50 years ago this very day. Forever in our hearts, and may they rest in eternal peace.
The New year and its festivities continue.
The media lapdogs with Oscar winning performances over the last few weeks trying to make anyone who will listen that we were seeing the rebirth of Real Madrid in Celtic. In reality, it was no better than Rushden & Diamonds. You would expect an 8.75 times winning title side on Champions league wages to beat Hamilton youth away, Dundee United at home, bottom of the league Ross County at home and Kilmarnock at home. I’d be concerned at anything less than maximum points in that run. Forgetting being taken to penalties by a Championship side.
Compare and contrast. Hibernian and the messiah Jack Ross (or so you would believe), St Johnstone away, St Mirren away, Motherwell at home, Ross County away, Dundee Utd away.
And then they come to Ibrox. For Celtic, Deliverance was crucial.
Today was Massive. We cannot understate that.
Possibly the Rangers players had been viewing some vintage 80’s movies prior to this one. Rangers 13 wins in a row against a resurgent Celtic side didn’t really count, or so the media would have you believe.
To start with, we witnessed what can only be described as the football equivalent of Rocky 4. Celtic flying out of the traps like Ivan Drago with Rangers very much on the backfoot. Either luck or a perfectly executed gameplay Rocky Balboa would have been proud of in all honesty. Switching channels and you are then given a taste of Back to the Future. Allan McGregor taking a Delorean and returning as a prime Andy Goram of the 1990s. A world-class first-half performance allowing Rangers some half time breathing space. I don’t even think Grays Sports Almanac could have predicted this one.
If you can Total recall Rangers back in the mid-90s, you would call this display a masterclass. They had the knack of winning. This side haven’t earned that trust or accolade yet, but they are inching closer with every point on the board.
Let’s be honest; this was the biggest 45 minutes of Steven Gerrard’s reign so far. The introduction of Ianis Hagi was crucial. Celtic huffed and puffed, and like Ivan Drago, they got tired and made mistakes. A gift of a red card turning the game. I have said this before and will say it again, clean sheets win championships.
Allan McGregor most certainly became John McClane and saving Christmas and New year with his one-man show. Lennon, with his post-match interview, had every inch of Hans Gruber falling from the Nakatomi plaza of grace with every excuse uttered. He knows that it’s edging closer to end game. This Grinch never stole Christmas; he has gift wrapped it for Rangers since August. Every week almost it’s groundhog day. With the obsession with 10, they were too busy watching Rangers accelerate past them while neglecting to see their own wheels not only fall off but crash and burn. Today we witnessed Lost Bhoys vs more than a Few Good Men, and now Lennon will take his snakes on a plane to Dubai.
Yes, it’s 10 points. Celtic’s 3 games in hand are not a given, but you would expect they will get over the line. January 2021 is the End game for us. If we emerge unscathed from Pittodrie & Easter Road, then we are one step closer to judgement day. The Labyrinth of this crazy season being navigated one game at a time.
The only side capable of stopping Rangers as they charge on is Rangers. Only they can throw this away now. It’s simply unthinkable.
We have seen protests during this outbreak, sorry Pandemic turning to adulation within days. I guess 2020 really was crazy in every way.
Enjoy tonight bears. For a decade, they revelled in our misery. They savoured our demise, took every kick. They mopped up access to Champions league and should be out of sight. They fell asleep at the wheel. They have a generation of seething entitlement now foaming at every Rangers win. We now have a generation of kids who have not seen the success our older generation were brought up on. When 55 comes, they fully deserve this.
On a day where we remember absent friends, this was for them. For the 66, for our loved ones who sadly departed as our club rise from the ashes of 2012. For all those who stood by us from Brechin to Broadwood, from Forfar to Fir Park.
Stay humble, stay grounded and most importantly stay safe.
Happy New year.
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