Unlike some of our counterparts, most Celtic fans can acknowledge the phenomenon of being beaten by a better team on the day and Rangers were certainly that at Ibrox on Saturday.
Despite what some might care to suggest, there is only one type of Old Firm defeat – a bad one and, while we should view this season in its entirety rather than constantly whining about failings of style or substance, it is also fair to note that sometimes the players just do not perform.
From a personal perspective, it is difficult to think of one Rangers player who would be preferred to his opposite number in green and white by any objective observer. That said, Walter Smith has now secured two wins over Celtic through employing the old-fashioned methods of organisation, guts and graft. Celtic’s players ought to take note.
Boruc, McManus, Lennon, Naylor, Nakamura and Vennegoor of Hesselink have been the only players guaranteed a start when fit since the season began. The reason is obvious – they always show up when needed. Others, whether big names like Gravesen, super talents like McGeady and Riordan or major signings who combine trying hard with true talent, like Miller and Hartley have had to come to terms with dropability (it will be the new sports hacks’ buzzword by next season).
Strachan has pursued a wise and courageous policy in demanding that players perform to the highest standard at all times to earn a place in the team. When he has eight or nine un-droppable players, Celtic will have a team to reckon with – and one that need not learn embarrassing lessons from less talented but more focused opponents.
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