Brendan Rodgers has insisted that Celtic did not feel the pressure at Ibrox, as they came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against fierce rivals Rangers. The result denied Barry Ferguson’s side a third consecutive Old Firm victory, with Adam Idah’s second-half goal cancelling out Cyriel Dessers’ opener just before half-time.
Celtic had already clinched the Scottish Premiership title with a win over Dundee United, and this draw maintained their 17-point lead over Rangers. Rodgers praised his team for coping well in what was a tense and cagey affair. He also highlighted the fact that they could have snatched all three points if Daizen Maeda had not been denied by Liam Kelly in stoppage time.
“The performance level was good,” Rodgers said. “Rangers changed their structure, playing with a diamond, but once we figured that out, we were able to play through the pressure well. There weren’t many chances for either side, and in the second half, we controlled the game. I never really felt that we were under intense pressure at Ibrox. We got the goal, and we deserved it.”
Rangers, on the other hand, were left frustrated as they failed to secure three consecutive league wins over Celtic since January 2021. This result also meant that Ferguson missed out on becoming the first Rangers manager to win both of his first two league meetings with Celtic in charge of the club.
Speaking after the match, Ferguson expressed his disappointment and highlighted the lack of quality in the decisive moments as the difference between the two teams. “I’m a bit disappointed that we didn’t come away with three points,” he said. “The commitment from my players was exactly what I asked for, and we scored a good goal to take the lead at half-time. We knew Celtic would come out strong in the second half, but we weathered the storm well. It’s just that bit of quality in the end that we need to improve on.”
Overall, it was a closely contested Glasgow Derby, with both teams showing determination and resilience. Celtic’s draw ensured their dominance in the Scottish Premiership, while Rangers will be looking to bounce back and secure a victory in their next encounter.
