Yesterday was the day this Rangers team grew the set that shows they are game in this battle for the title.
One team looked like a well-oiled machine, and the other looked like a disorganised rabble. It was men against boys, if you will.
After the cup final, the Rangers players’ mental strength was questioned by everyone, including myself. By three o’clock yesterday they had thrown that back in my face and left me with a smile from ear to ear.
It was a cup-final type performance from Rangers who were excellent all over the park, proving again that they are a far better team than most people in the country give them credit for.
Rangers were utterly dominant and the system Steven Gerrard deploys is one that Neil Lennon cannot tactically combat. He looked bamboozled as his midfield was being schooled by Steven Davis, who played with his slippers on. He was my man of the match.
However, it wasn’t easy for us to come away from Parkhead with the victory when Celtic’s man of the match Kevin Clancy did his very best to make sure he made himself centre of attention.
Rangers were miles on top when Odsonne Edouard ’s handball goal was allowed to stand - why?
Did Clancy close his eyes? Because he appears to be looking right at it. Again, we were on the wrong end of a disgraceful decision.
Rangers could have crumbled but it was the belief and mental strength they now possess that saw them grab the victory.
Niko Katic for example - he gave away the penalty but the team are so much of a unit that he battled on and swatted Ajer away like a fly to win the game with his bullet header.
The ball is now in Rangers’ court. Two points behind, with a game in hand and in a title race against a team they are better than and relies on refereeing mistakes. That in itself should give the Rangers support, management and players the confidence they require for them to take this to the wire and thus overcome the most over-hyped team on planet football.
In terms of individuals, every Rangers player gets pass marks. Allan McGregor was superb. The back four were outstanding and the midfield swarmed all over theirs. Kent showed why the manager shelled out big money for him despite others calling him a panic buy, and Alfredo Morelos missed a few chances but again he bullied Kris Ajer and Christopher Jullien.
It was a victory that was richly deserved by a team who looked better than their rivals – that in itself displays the progress that has been made under Gerrard and how far this group of players have come.
Of course, it was the first victory for Rangers at Parkhead since 2010. It was a sweet one, especially given how the game panned out and how poor Clancy was, but it was the day Steven Gerrard’s Rangers side finally came to the title party.
The fans have every right to laud this one over their Celtic counterparts. Now, Rangers have to make sure they come back from the winter break on top form and try and press home this psychological blow they have just landed.
Gerrard’s reaction at the end summed it up. It’s a massive win and one we have all craved for a long time. If they are able to come back from the winter break in the same frame of mind, and with the same mentality the title won’t be far away.
It’s a great position to be in and it’s one Rangers must seize. We are all willing for them to now go on and put the foot to the throat and kick on.
The long and short of it is - we are better and we’re coming for that title.
As for the fans, they will be delighted with the win, and it's sure to be a very Happy New Year.
