IT was exciting while it lasted. But everyone, including Rangers
themselves, knew their run of matches without defeat could not go on
indefinitely. They reached 44, but the forty-fifth match took them back
to Celtic Park.
It had been suspected that Rangers might experience some difficulties
in the final Old Firm match of the season because of their heady
exploits in the Champions' League, but they were much more out of touch
than anyone could have anticipated.
The Ibrox side spent most of the afternoon in forlorn pursuit of the
game, and although they had a flourish towards the end after Mark
Hateley's goal had injected fresh hope and enthusiasm, Celtic were in
control.
In spite of another sterling performance from Stuart McCall, who draws
from a limitless reservoir of energy, Celtic commanded the midfield area
and deserved their victory.
John Collins was especially effective for Celtic, and his goal in 37
minutes gave his own side greater belief that they could go on and beat
Rangers. Until Collins beat Andy Goram with a strong and accurate shot
from the edge of the box Celtic had missed a few opportunites and
frustration might have undermined their game.
In the opening seconds of the match John Brown whipped a leg from Andy
Payton inside the box and Celtic should have been given a penalty, but
referee Douglas Hope decided there had been nothing illegal about the
challenge and play rolled on, although Brown was booked minutes later
for a crude body-check on Stuart Slater.
The Rangers defender was living dangerously and it soon become
apparent that such erratic play was widespread throughout the side.
Celtic took advantage and might have had another penalty just before
the interval, when it appeared as though David Robertson had played
Slater's attempted cross with an arm. Again the referee waved play on,
but the incident was further evidence of Celtic's dominance and Rangers'
hesitancy, a failing which led to the second goal.
Collins hurled the ball over from a corner on the left early in the
second half, Goram seemed to watch Neil Murray, who was watching McCall,
while Payton watched the ball have free passage across the face of goal
and slid in to make contact.
The scorer went off soon afterwards to have four stitches inserted in
a head wound, but he was able to finish the game and celebrate with his
team-mates at the end. They and their supporters had waited a long time
for a triumph like this, and even though it meant nothing in terms of
the title, a win over the arch-rivals is always welcome.
Rangers departed the scene without saying much at all, but then they
are unfamiliar with the misery of defeat, although manager Walter Smith
hung around long enough to say a few words about the attitude of his
players during the course of their run. They could not, he said, have
given any more.
If the injury problems with which Smith has had to cope are taken into
consideration, his team really should not have gone on so long without
suffering a loss, but it was inevitable the strain would take a toll.
Apart from McCall, they ran out of steam at Parkhead.
They had to start the game without players like Richard Gough, Gary
Stevens, Pieter Huistra, Dale Gordon, and Ally McCoist, who were all
injured or ill. In fact, Smith, who was reduced to 14 players, had to
ask McCoist to be a substitute, even though he was unfit and suffering
from food poisoning.
After half an hour McCoist had to go on because Scott Nisbet injured
his groin and the team had to be reshuffled. All McCoist received for
his trouble was a booking after a minor squabble with Mike Galloway, who
did not care too much for a tackle by the Rangers striker. The Celtic
player also was booked.
Before the end an injury to Ian Durrant, who hobbled off with a sore
knee allowing Alexei Mikhailichenko to run on, sealed a thoroughly
miserable afternoon for Rangers, even though the Ukrainian combined well
with Hateley to reduce Celtic's lead.
It would have been unjust, however, had Rangers equalised and denied
Celtic a rare moment, because they displayed some nice skills. According
to their man of the match, Collins, the aim now is to finish the season
unbeaten.
They have gone 10 games without defeat and if they can maintain their
form they may be entitled to harbour greater expectations for next
season, provided Brady is able to strengthen the team. When they play
like this it is obvious they are not too far off the required standard,
but they are short of a few quality players and also consistency.
Many of their supporters will be wondering why the team cannot produce
performances like Saturday's with increased regularity, but perhaps this
win will give them greater self-belief.
''I think we all had something to prove to ourselves and to our fans
against Rangers,'' said Collins. It certainly showed.
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