Second-half joy, but Celtic can’t be ignored

The second half was a proper lift, no doubt about it. But I’m not getting carried away to the point of thinking Celtic aren’t a threat. You can be delighted with what Rangers did after the break and still be very, very cautious about what’s coming down the road.

Truth is, Celtic’s first-half level showed they’ve got a ceiling that’s still high. It wasn’t perfect, and it didn’t last, but it did give you a glimpse of what their manager is trying to build. If they ever manage to keep that intensity and cohesion going for 90 minutes, you’re looking at a side that’s hard to live with, regardless of what we’ve got going.

Why writing Celtic off is daft

This is the bit some folk won’t want to hear, but it’s just common sense. Celtic have enough good players that one strong spell in a match can put you under real pressure. Even when they’re not at their sharpest, they can still dominate patches, win second balls, and pen you in if your distances are wrong.

And if they’re getting key players back from injury, that matters. More options, more rotation, more quality off the bench. That can be the difference between looking good for 45 minutes and looking good for 90. That’s why I can’t join in with any “they’re finished” chat. Not yet.

What feels different at Rangers right now

The refreshing part, from a Rangers point of view, is how clear things look on our side. You get the sense the manager knows exactly what he wants the team to be, and the players are buying into it. That shows up in the way we start the second half, the way we react when something goes against us, and the way we move the ball with a bit more purpose.

Form helps, of course. Being the form team builds belief, and belief makes everything look cleaner. Your press is half a yard sharper. Your decision-making improves. You stop panicking in the big moments.

Credit where it’s due: Chermiti and Jack

I’ve already given big praise to Chermiti, but he deserves more of it if he’s putting in performances like that two games running. For a striker, it’s not just goals, it’s the nuisance factor too: making centre-halves work, being available, and giving you an out ball when you’re under pressure.

And big Jack. That first half could have got away from us. Celtic had moments where you’re thinking it could be 3 or 4 if we don’t dig in. Jack’s reading of danger and his calmness in the middle were massive in keeping the thing from turning into a long afternoon.

So aye, enjoy the second half. Take confidence from it. Just don’t kid ourselves that the other lot won’t respond. That’s Scottish football for you.

Written by Boy blue 4: 4 January 2026