THE scoreline and circumstances provided déjà vu for Rangers at Celtic Park yesterday.
They were 3-0 down at half-time, seemingly unable to combat the intensity they faced, and conceded remarkably similar goals when stacked up against last season’s trips to Glasgow’s East End.
“I think it was a repeat of the last game we played in February with a quickly taken throw-in and a free kick,” Giovanni van Bronckhorst said after the game.
“We prepared for these moments that they were able to be dangerous and we weren’t ready so that’s very disappointing because you want to play a good game.
“Of course, you can always have goals against you but not in this manner. That’s not the way we need to concede goals.”
Rightly, the manager highlighted the three occasions his team switched off prior to conceding. Although the visitors never looked threatening throughout and were well-beaten, van Bronckhorst will lament the basic errors that allowed Celtic to ruthlessly capitalise.
Goal 1: Liel Abada – 7:33
After Nick Walsh issue a Celtic throw-in, Rangers lapse in concentration. Ryan Kent, having initially won the ball back, stands arms aloft alongside James Tavernier who is aware he needs to find his marker Matt O’Reilly but lags a fraction behind.
Steven Davis is attracted to the short throw option and steps forward, leaving room for the throw to be targeted. Although Tavernier is only a yard behind O’Reilly, that provides a sufficient gap for the midfielder to cross from.
Before Liel Abada unleashes his shot it appears that he has made a run off of James Sands.
However, looking at the wider picture shows Borna Barisic on his heels as Abada peels away towards the penalty spot.
Sands has to try and close down the winger but can’t make up the distance and the shot squirms under Jon McLaughlin.
According to StatsBomb, the chance had an xG of 0.13 and a Post-Shot xG (PSxG) of 0.76. While the shot was hit with power, the keeper let it trickle into the back of the net after making initial contact.
Goal 2: Jota – 31:17
Following an offside decision, Rangers switch off again. Kent, John Lundstram and Glen Kamara surround the ball but fail to react to O’Reilly’s movement.
Leading to a furious van Bronckhorst reaction.
Celtic have reacted quicker at a restart while the visitors issued complaints to the referee for the second time in half an hour. Jota makes a diagonal run off of Tavernier from the left wing, moving in the blindside of Connor Goldson with Sands stepping up to track Abada in midfield.
Barisic should perhaps react quicker and close down O'Reilly, but the fault starts with Lundstram, Kent and Kamara reacting slowly at the restart.
Jota takes a perfectly-weighted ball in his stride before chipping McLaughlin.
According to StatsBomb, the chance had an xG of 0.07 and a PSxG of 0.29. Arguably, the keeper made up Jota's mind by going to ground early with the angle limiting the winger's options.
Goal 3: Liel Abada – 7:33
Tavernier and Goldson are arguing in this image after a breakdown in the side’s build-up play led to Jota testing McLaughlin.
They have not learned from the first goal. Celtic retain focus to take a quick throw and play the ball back to Callum McGregor.
The hosts now have a wide overload because their opponents have reacted so slowly and simply work the ball to their free man, Greg Taylor, before cutting a cross into a dangerous area once again.
This time, Abada is Sands’ man.
Barisic is pulled to the front post by Giorgos Giakoumakis while Sands is ball-watching. Like Abada’s first, a deflection helps the cross on its way but the attacker gambles and got his reward, firing through the keeper’s legs.
It’s not clear if Barisic was instructed to track the striker, but it’s likely that Celtic deliberately targeted the back post with deliveries and intelligent movement given their successes in this area during previous Old Firm matches.
According to StatsBomb, the chance had an xG of 0.21 and a PSxG of 0.59. Again the shot is straight at the keeper and this time goes through his legs.
From start to finish, Rangers' performance was so far from the required standard.
They weren't ready at the restart and handed Celtic a headstart on three occasions, which the hosts exploited.
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