The scale of Celtic’s domestic success under Brendan Rodgers is such that there is a danger of over-analysing minor setbacks. The audible frustration which met this scoreless draw with Rangers was unquestionably linked to the earlier expectation that Celtic would swagger to another derby victory. Plus, of course, Celtic’s support are not at all accustomed to not getting their own way in Scotland’s top flight.
The fatigue as associated with a 38th competitive game of this season was visible in the performance of the champions. Yet the sense of Celtic failing to hit the heights of last season needs context; they remain untouchable at the summit of Scotland’s top flight. This marked only the second out of 74 domestic games of Brendan Rodgers’ tenure in which Celtic failed to score.
It would seem harsh if Celtic are to be consistently judged against a series of outstanding feats throughout season 2016/17. This position, of 51 points and just a single defeat from 22 league games, would have seemed perfectly acceptable before a ball was kicked. Where Rodgers has a serious challenge, as recent months illustrated, is launching Celtic to a position where they can make proper inroads into the Champions League. A humdrum draw with Rangers makes no difference whatsoever to that scenario.
The winter break – Celtic will return to competitive action on 20 January – has arrived at an opportune time for Rodgers and his players. The same cannot be said for Rangers, who returned such an impressive second half display here that they were unfortunate not to win.
“It was probably a fair result in the end,” said Rodgers. “We didn’t take chances in the first half. In the second half Rangers had a couple of chances. I thought the game lacked quality. It was a wee bit frantic.”
Rodgers did not deny the significance of tiredness. “I think it’s obvious, with number of games we have played and all that goes into it,” added the former Liverpool manager. “But then I have seen a lot of games like that, you can maybe lose it 1-0. You don’t take chances and the opponent gets a goal. We showed resilience and resolve when we couldn’t score, that made sure we didn’t lose.”
The Rodgers analysis – including of an error-prone game where an ambulance was needed for the ball – was perfectly fair. Moussa Dembélé, James Forrest and Scott Sinclair spurned opportunities for the hosts before the break with Rangers’ only real attacking threat a consequence of loose Celtic defending.
The Rangers manager Graeme Murty later revealed a “frank exchange of views” between players at half-time. It apparently worked wonders. James Tavernier came within an excellent Craig Gordon save of volleying Rangers into the lead, three minutes after the restart. Gordon produced an even better stop, this time with his legs, from an Alfredo Morelos header before the same player nodded wide from Tavernier’s cross. Gordon’s value to Celtic has been questioned in recent times but he remains capable of the kind of marquee moments which separate him from “normal” goalkeepers.
Rodgers introduced Leigh Griffiths in place of the ineffectual Dembélé in a bid to snatch a crucial goal. Griffiths was not to be provided with sufficient opportunity to break the deadlock as Rangers remained the more impressive team for the remainder of the second half. Only when Olivier Ntcham replaced Sinclair did Celtic offer some positive contributions once again. Sinclair’s glaring loss of form has been one ominous aspect of Celtic’s campaign to date and, perhaps, an explanation as to why he arrived in Scotland in the first place.
“The guys are in the changing room frustrated because we created such good chances,” said a rueful Murty. “I’m really proud of the way the players approached the game. I’m elated with the manner of performance but know we could have won it.
“We have shown can step up to a level that can cause anyone problems. Our job is to make that our minimum standard.” Celtic’s is far higher. Which, by definition, can fuel criticism where not required.
