Rangers Fans Celebrate Turning Point After Celtic Defeats
Rangers have beaten Celtic twice in the space of a week and hauled themselves to within two points at the top of the Scottish Premiership. The numbers tell one story. The mood among the Rangers support tells an even louder one.
For many, this feels like a turning of the tide.
The beginning for Rangers – and the beginning of the end for Celtic
Derek doesn’t bother with caution.
"It's the beginning for Rangers and the beginning of the end for Celtic," he declares, tying together belief and brutality in one sweeping verdict. What he sees now is a team that mirrors the crowd.
"We are gaining confidence to go with our work rate and physicality. It is a Rangers I can identify with, what we have wanted as fans. Directness, power, running and a strong bond."
Two names jump out of his assessment. Ryan Naderi, who he says has been “superb up front” and has “epitomised what has been the message”. And Olwethu Makhanya, the defender he calls “an incredible signing and unflappable”.
That spine, that edge, is what he believes has dragged Rangers back into this title race.
One goal was enough to silence Parkhead
Louise admits she doubted lightning would strike twice. A week on from the first win over Celtic, she wondered if Rangers could really repeat it. The answer, in her eyes, was emphatic.
"What a performance again from Rangers," she says. Makhanya and Naderi are again singled out as “excellent”, but she goes further, pointing to the control behind the chaos.
"Dan Neil controlled the midfield and that was probably Dujon Sterling's best performance in a Rangers shirt."
The scoreline stayed tight. The dominance, she insists, did not.
"If we had taken our chances and had a bit more quality in the final third it could have been a cricket score, but one goal was enough to silence Parkhead."
For her, this is not just a hot streak. It’s a coming of age.
"This team have grown up very quickly and have now shown what they are capable of so hopefully they will only continue to go and improve."
And then the line that will echo with plenty of supporters: Derek McInnes has, in her view, crossed a threshold.
"McInnes has made his mark as Rangers manager now and whatever happens next, we must let him build on it."
Midfield control, tactical questions
Sally’s eyes are drawn to the engine room. Seven days earlier, she saw Dan Neil dominate. This time, she hands the midfield baton to another.
"Last week it was Dan Neil running the midfield, this week it was Nico Raskin."
Up front, there’s a familiar verdict: "Naderi was outstanding." On the flank, Djeidi Gassama earns sympathy for a moment that almost lit up the afternoon.
He was, she says, "so unlucky with his shot on goal."
Her surprise is reserved for the dugouts.
"I was surprised McInnes did not change his tactics and that Celtic did not learn from last week's result."
Rangers, she suggests, didn’t need to reinvent anything. Celtic, in her view, simply failed to respond.
Makhanya wins over the doubters
Chris admits he wasn’t sold on Makhanya at first. That scepticism didn’t last.
"Wasn't too sure of Makhanya when he first signed," he says, but after this display, the defender looked as if he was "like a kick about in the back garden with the kids".
The composure, the dominance, the ease of it all stood out. So did the moment that didn’t count.
"The finish for his disallowed goal was absolutely stunning too."
The flag cut it short. The impression lingered.
Two derby wins in a week. A defence suddenly trusted. A forward in Naderi embodying the aggression the fans demand. A manager, in McInnes, now being urged to be backed, not doubted.
Celtic still lead the league. But with the gap slashed and the noise from the blue end growing, the real question is simple: has this been a blip in the title race – or the week it truly caught fire?
