Old Firm - Heartbreak and Headache at Parkhead for Rangers FC

Rangers FC fell to their first defeat of the new Scottish Premiership season away at Parkhead against Celtic on Sunday, 1st September.

Three goals from Daizen Maeda [17’], Kyogo Furuhashi [40’], and Callum McGregor [75’] were enough to break Gers hearts around the world, and earn Celtic all the bragging rights from the first Old Firm derby of the season.

And even though we are just four matches in, with Celtic five points clear, it already feels like the Bhoys are near guaranteed their fourth successive crown.

Old Firm by the Players and Numbers

Manager Philippe Clement fielded one of his strongest line-ups, with new loan signing Kasanwirjo on the bench.

Line-Up: Jack Butland, James Tavernier, John Souttar, Robin Pröpper, Jefté, Dujon Sterling, Connor Barron, Mohamed Diomande, Václav Černy, Rabbi Matondo, and Cyriel Dessers.

Bench: Kelly, Kasanwirjo, Balogun, Fraser, Raskin, McCausland, Lawrence, Igamane, and Danilo,

Rangers did start well but they could not make it count, and before long, Celtic had asserted their supremacy. The Bhoys kept 53% overall possession, and while there was an equal number of chances for both sides, Rangers never did appear to truly threaten their old rivals at any point.

The Gers took 14 shots, four on target, but failed to convert—much as they have done in recent Old Firm clashes. The midfield too went missing for large chunks of the game, handing Celtic all the supremacy in the middle of the park. And in defense, James Tavernier was particularly guilty of switching off at the wrong moments, losing out to Maeda over and again.

Post-Match Reaction

“Losing 3-0 is very hard, but we didn't reward ourselves,” said Clement, speaking to BBC Scotland.

“We started as the best team with two clear chances. You need to take these moments if you want to win Old Firm games.

“We are a young team, only just together. We have a lot of things to work on. We knew that before the game already.

“In that way, it's positive there were good signs in the way we started, but there are also lots of details to work on.”

Headaches at Parkhead

Philippe Clement has failed to win any of his five Old Firm matches, and even though he began at Rangers miles behind their rivals, he needs to find some solutions quickly because patience is wearing thin amongst this most loyal of fan bases. He has to bring his young squad together somehow, with 11 new players to integrate, and figure out how to win some derbies if the Light Blues are to return to the top of Scottish football once more.