Old Firm supporters will struggle to brag about their rivals’ woes while they are so justifiably unhappy with how their own clubs are being run
N
ever in the history of a derby stretching back to May 1888 and more than 400 matches has the backdrop been as bizarre as this. The yin-and-yang nature of football in Glasgow means supporters of Celtic must be happy because those following Rangers feel dismay, or vice versa. Very occasionally there is general contentment, as in recent times when Rangers could draw kudos from European progress to offset domestic disappointment.
As the sides head for Ibrox on Sunday there is outrage. Widespread, collective outrage. In Russell Martin and Brendan Rodgers, we have managers who do not feel compatible with their clubs. Victory for either side in the first Old Firm clash of the season would douse dissenting voices only momentarily. Embarrassment came in different forms for Celtic and Rangers in Europe this week but it was embarrassment nonetheless. Followers of both clubs can be unrealistic in their analysis and demands. In the current context, they are quite right to voice disquiet.
Celtic’s scenario is the more complex and bewildering. Rangers simply appear to have erred in the appointment of Martin. He had very little leeway with the Rangers support from the outset and the disorganised shambles that was the 6-0 loss to Club Brugge on Wednesday further inflamed opinion. Rangers were lucky to escape with that level of defeat. Much is said of Martin’s philosophy but a manager who cannot implement basic defensive principles can have no excuses. Rangers’ signing policy is wholly unconvincing.
