Rangers repeat mistake before facing Celtic in semi-final

Celtic put in an uninspired performance at the weekend to draw 1-1 against Motherwell. These were the first points that the club have dropped since their 2-2 draw away at Ibrox against the Rangers. Since then, they have got the better of Michael Beale’s side on two occasions though and will be looking for the hattrick next weekend at Hampden Park, when the Glasgow rivals meet in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

In many ways, if Celtic were going to have a day off, the game against Motherwell was not a bad occasion to do that. Hopefully, it will serve as a bit of a wake up call before the big game against the Rangers.

Celtic’s performance levels have dropped a bit in recent weeks. Of course, one cannot overlook the fact that they are missing key players. One can only hope that the likes of Jota, Reo Hatate and Liel Abada are back available when they take on the Rangers.

On the other hand, the Rangers appear to be repeating their mistakes from the past ahead of another Glasgow Derby. They have been criticised in the past for comments coming out of the Ibrox camp before facing Celtic. Yet, things do not seem to be changing.

Rangers repeat mistake before facing Celtic in semi-final

As reported by The Scottish Mail on Sunday [23/04 print edition, back page] (via 67 Hail Hail), Rangers coach Neil Banfield said:

"“He said one or two things that I have remembered and I will remember. For what he has achieved at Celtic, we say well done. The use of the market has been excellent and I like the way they play.“But he said one or two things that make you want to say: “Okay, right, we’re coming”. And that’s okay, that is what it’s all about. They’ll want to come at us. That’s what top-level managers are all about. That’s the world we live in.“There’s respect there, no doubt. He is a good football guy and he works for Celtic but he has said things that leave a little taste in the mouth. I’ll keep that to myself but he made a quote after the final and it landed on me. And you think: “Yeah, okay I’ll take that”. Next time we’ll turn that round.”"

To be very honest, we cannot remember anything that Postecoglou had said that the Rangers coaching staff could have taken a disliking to. But then, that is Banfield’s personal experience of the situation and we cannot question that.

What can be questioned is the timing of Banfield’s comments. In the past, the Rangers have not been helped by the claims that they have made before facing Celtic. Let’s hope this turns out to be another such occasion.