Monday, February 02, 2015

Rangers v Celtic February 2015





1st February  Rangers 0 Celtic 2  Scottish League Cup semi-final  50,925

The Old Firm renewed acquaintances at Hampden Park on a cold February day in Glasgow.

As I said to my Norwegian neighbour this is good day for learning about the history of these islands.
Over hundreds of years.

With the fans split 50:50 it gave us a spectacle of tremendous noise and visceral fervour.
Although far from the full repertoire (now mostly banned) we had a good selection of the battle hymns from both sides.

The Celtic fans behind the goal also produced some banners as they highlighted the tribulations of their counterparts.
Those same issues could have given us a very one-sided contest.

As it was the Bhoys, driven on by the ever combative Scott Brown, dominated the first half scoring early through a Leigh Griffiths header and adding a second via a left foot strike from Kris Commons.

It then looked like being a 4 or 5-0 scoreline.

But Jon Daly came on after half time and he provided some extra presence up front and the Gers held their own in the second period.
Celtic were less effective but still kept their opponents well away from Craig Gordon’s goal.

In the end the predictable result but also some slivers of hope for the beleaguered Light Blues.

Afterwards the Celtic coach, Ronny Deila, was particularly scathing about the quality of the pitch.
On a better surface it could well have been much worse for Rangers.

Meanwhile the history lessons are likely to be retold when these two meet again in the league (probably next season)

more photos at  http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/3160344071

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