Sunday was another huge step forward for Celtic. A win over Rangers is always great news. A 3 -1 scoreline and that stunner of a goal from Daizen Maeda make it even sweeter. The result was notable for several reasons, including a remarkable triple for Martin O’Neill from what is likely to be his last Glasgow Derby.
The win keeps Celtic’s title hopes very much in their own hands. The result guarantees a crack at qualifying for the Champions League too. That also consigned Rangers to third place in the league. It was a beautiful Sunday in many ways.
As far as European football goes, Rangers are left hoping for scraps from Celtic. The Ibrox side have a place in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. But if Celtic win the Scottish Cup, that gives Rangers a step up to the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round. Despite that, I’m sure Celtic fans would still rather have the Scottish Cup win.
Martin O’Neill’s Celtic treble over Rangers
Then there’s that quite remarkable triple for Martin O’Neill, a record which he and Celtic fans will love. While we all wait to see what happens in the title race and that Scottish Cup final, O’Neill has been gathering scalps. Danny Rohl’s at Rangers in particular.
O’Neill has now been the man in charge as Celtic put paid to Rohl and Rangers’ hopes in all three domestic competitions. In his first spell as interim boss, O’Neill’s Celtic beat Rangers in the Scottish League Cup semi-final. It was a heavily celebrated 3 - 1 win after extra time at Hampden. Of course, Wilfried Nancy came in after that, and the final against St.Mirren didn’t go so well. But that’s history now.
The second killer knockout came at Ibrox in a Scottish Cup quarter-final tie in March. After extra time, a glorious penalty win took Celtic through to the semi-finals. Rangers and Rohl are missing out on a second trophy for the season, thanks to Celtic and O’Neill.
Celtic aim for a double as Rangers end up trophyless
The third, of course, comes with the ending of any lingering hopes Ranger fans dreamed of in the league. Sunday's win confirmed many things as mentioned earlier. It also finalised that the super triple of O’Neill ended Rangers' trophy hunt for the season.
Quite a record for the Celtic boss in an extraordinary season. A potential league and cup double remains feasible. Rangers, though, haven’t got a pot to pass on to the trophy room. Thanks, Martin!
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