Glasgow Derby: Rangers v Celtic

[ForzaChievo]

On tonight, who will win it.

I'm predicting Rangers to take the points.

[Missing Post Count]

No it's not. Tonight's game is at Ibrox

[ForzaChievo]

Sorry typing error, all fixed.

[Missing Post Count]

[Missing Post Count]

Scottish Premier League - Strachan calls for calm
Eurosport - Fri, 28 Mar 13:40:00 2008
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has urged his players to keep their cool in Saturday's potentially explosive Old Firm derby at Ibrox.



Rangers will be hoping to open up a six-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League, while Celtic will be looking for the win that blows the title race wide open.

With so much at stake for both sides, discipline will be crucial in what is a notoriously fiery fixture.

Hoops goalkeeper Artur Boruc, in particular, has found himself at the centre of controversy in several Old Firm clashes in the past but Strachan believes every player has a responsibility to behave on the day.

He said: "Leave Artur out of the way as I think we all have a responsibility to behave in a way that will not cause anyone to get upset.

"But, in saying that, it is funny that we have to pander to people who get easily upset at the slightest thing.

"We always try to tell players to stay focused."

Scott Brown has received 14 yellow cards so far this season and is another player who could be targeted by the Ibrox fans.

Strachan added: "It's new to Scott as we've been top of the Fair Play League in the past two years.

"Scott's not helped. I think he's taken us down the league!"

With tongue firmly in cheek, Strachan said: "Aiden McGeady has also become a monster and had a few bookings, but we need to stay focused on every game.

"You need to turn any anger into positive thinking."

Meanwhile, Strachan has no fears about Celtic coming off worse in a physical battle with Rangers, insisting football nowadays is more about mental toughness and talent than brute strength.

"There is decent protection now," he said.

"Years ago when you used to play Wimbledon? Gee whizz. When I played against them years ago, I know Manchester United used to change the team just to play against them. I was left out and I wasn't too fussed!

"The game is completely different now. When people say do you change for different sides, you say no. Years ago, you might have had to because it was such an evil game.

"People say the game was better in the 1980s. Well, it wasn't. Some of the football was rotten. Kicking the ball the length of the pitch and players fighting and scrapping.

"I don't think it is about the physical nature. Look at Barcelona's wee guys like Xavi and (Andres) Iniesta. (Luka) Modric for Croatia in midweek. Terrific. (Paul) Scholes.

"You don't have to be a giant as talent can see you through. What I am saying is that you need to have a mental strength."

And Strachan reckons even one of the most volatile fixtures in the world is more tame these days.

"I think the Old Firm game has become more sanitised," he added.

"The rules have the game more sanitised. It's easier to play football now than it was in the 1970s and 1980s.

"There are no arguments on that and I think the game is a better product now."

[pires7]

Celtic 2-0

[Missing Post Count]

Celtic 2-0

By gosh I hope you're right

[yogi]

Celtic 1-0 Rangers,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Venegoor of Hessilink to score.

[Missing Post Count]

I'll settle for that too

[Missing Post Count]

Rangers beat Celtic 1-0 thanks to a first-half goal by Kevin Thomson in an Old Firm SPL derby at Ibrox.



It was a special day for Thomson on several counts, scoring his first goal since joining the club in the summer and carried off with a leg injury after a simulation incident for which he was fortunate not to be dismissed.

Hoops boss Gordon Strachan, meanwhile, has now lost the last four of his Old Firm matches, with the Rangers support waving ironic banners calling for him to stay at Celtic Park.

Celtic were, however, the brighter side in the first half, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink deftly flicking Aiden McGeady's superb cross just wide of the near post as early as the fifth minute, with Scott Brown denied by Alan McGregor after appearing to have been tripped by Steven Whittaker a quarter of an hour later.

Steven McManus went close soon afterwards, the Scotland centre half sending a trademark header just wide of the far post, while McGeady again got a great ball in from the by line, flicked on by Georgios Samaras but the finish sent crashing against the woodwork by Brown.

While Celtic looked the more confident on the ball, Rangers - crowding the midfield with a 4-5-1 formation - had their chances too, Lee McCulloch heading an early Thomson free-kick just wide, with Barry Ferguson shooting low at Artur Boruc after a quick throw to Steven Davis caught the Hoops defence flat-footed.

And it was the hosts who took the lead, Thomson finishing with aplomb into the bottom left corner after a clever one-two with Jean-Claude Darcheville moments before the break after a move down the right wing.

Thomson - who has a habit of scoring against Celtic from his former club Hibernian - was starting to become Rangers' key man, linking up well with Davis to send Ferguson clean through but the Gers captain seeing his shot blocked by the retreating Gary Caldwell, moments after Hesselink had headed straight at McGregor for the visitors.

While the hosts were exercising a touch more control on the game than previously, Celtic were still threatening, passing the ball neatly while Rangers looked for the counter attack.

Thomas Hinkel, driving forward from right back, forced McGregor into a spectacular save with a superb rising shot, while Celtic were aggrieved at another decision going against them when goalscorer Thomson - who clearly stuck his leg out to dive over a challenge by Samaras - was not shown a second yellow card for simulation, Boruc instead booked for remonstrating with the Rangers midfielder as he lay injured by his own folly.

Celtic went full-gun for the equaliser, throwing McDonald and Barry Robson on with Boruc coming up for a late corner, but it was Rangers who almost scored again with a breakaway that saw Nacho Novo free fellow substitute Charlie Adam, whom Boruc foiled with a superb save.

There was further controversy, with referee Stuart Dougal only allocating three minutes of injury-time despite Thomson's injury holding up play for 30 seconds further than that timescale, not to mention other delays and substitutions, but the match finished 1-0 to Rangers, who surely now have the title in their grasp after moving six points clear with a game in hand.

Gretna were officially relegated after overnight results

[Hawkesy]

Rangers beat Celtic 1-0 thanks to a first-half goal by Kevin Thomson in an Old Firm SPL derby at Ibrox.

Go the Gers!!

[Missing Post Count]

Grrrrrrrrrrr

[Hawkesy]

Grrrrrrrrrrr

[Bomber]

Yay - just about wrapped up the title now!

[BillShankly]

well in gers

unlucky celtic, looks like you cant buy the league then

[MG&Son]

ahhhh how good does it feel lads!

[Missing Post Count]

Two home wins at Celtic Park won't be enough unless Rangers drop points elsewhere

[yogi]

well in gers

unlucky celtic, looks like you cant buy the league then

Very true shanks, Hearts would know all about that.

[yogi]

Grrrrrrrrrrr

Bigot,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[yogi]

Rangers beat Celtic 1-0 thanks to a first-half goal by Kevin Thomson in an Old Firm SPL derby at Ibrox.



It was a special day for Thomson on several counts, scoring his first goal since joining the club in the summer and carried off with a leg injury after a simulation incident for which he was fortunate not to be dismissed.

Hoops boss Gordon Strachan, meanwhile, has now lost the last four of his Old Firm matches, with the Rangers support waving ironic banners calling for him to stay at Celtic Park.

Celtic were, however, the brighter side in the first half, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink deftly flicking Aiden McGeady's superb cross just wide of the near post as early as the fifth minute, with Scott Brown denied by Alan McGregor after appearing to have been tripped by Steven Whittaker a quarter of an hour later.

Steven McManus went close soon afterwards, the Scotland centre half sending a trademark header just wide of the far post, while McGeady again got a great ball in from the by line, flicked on by Georgios Samaras but the finish sent crashing against the woodwork by Brown.

While Celtic looked the more confident on the ball, Rangers - crowding the midfield with a 4-5-1 formation - had their chances too, Lee McCulloch heading an early Thomson free-kick just wide, with Barry Ferguson shooting low at Artur Boruc after a quick throw to Steven Davis caught the Hoops defence flat-footed.

And it was the hosts who took the lead, Thomson finishing with aplomb into the bottom left corner after a clever one-two with Jean-Claude Darcheville moments before the break after a move down the right wing.

Thomson - who has a habit of scoring against Celtic from his former club Hibernian - was starting to become Rangers' key man, linking up well with Davis to send Ferguson clean through but the Gers captain seeing his shot blocked by the retreating Gary Caldwell, moments after Hesselink had headed straight at McGregor for the visitors.

While the hosts were exercising a touch more control on the game than previously, Celtic were still threatening, passing the ball neatly while Rangers looked for the counter attack.

Thomas Hinkel, driving forward from right back, forced McGregor into a spectacular save with a superb rising shot, while Celtic were aggrieved at another decision going against them when goalscorer Thomson - who clearly stuck his leg out to dive over a challenge by Samaras - was not shown a second yellow card for simulation, Boruc instead booked for remonstrating with the Rangers midfielder as he lay injured by his own folly.
Celtic went full-gun for the equaliser, throwing McDonald and Barry Robson on with Boruc coming up for a late corner, but it was Rangers who almost scored again with a breakaway that saw Nacho Novo free fellow substitute Charlie Adam, whom Boruc foiled with a superb save.

There was further controversy, with referee Stuart Dougal only allocating three minutes of injury-time despite Thomson's injury holding up play for 30 seconds further than that timescale, not to mention other delays and substitutions, but the match finished 1-0 to Rangers, who surely now have the title in their grasp after moving six points clear with a game in hand.

Gretna were officially relegated after overnight results

Absolutely disgusting DIVING by Thomson, Just showed he will be forever branded a DIVER.
Not something you want to be tarnished with.

[King Ledley]

McGregor is a class kepper, see the save that he did for Hinkels shot

[Hawkesy]

Grrrrrrrrrrr

Bigot,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Leave Gazza alone!!

[harryhandsome1]

For Thompson see Nakamura and Petrov