Rangers took a huge step towards ending Celtic’s domestic dominance
Callum McGregor may have inadvertently made the difference at Ibrox on Saturday, but it was his namesake in the Rangers goal who was hailed by the world’s media.
Celtic were dominant in the first half, but Allan McGregor produced a superb display between the sticks to ensure the sides went in level at half-time.
Nir Bitton’s straight red card for hauling down Alfredo Morelos after 62 minutes was the game’s turning point, with Rangers capitalising eight minutes later when Callum McGregor directed a Rangers corner into his own net.
That win gave Rangers a 19-point gap at the top of the Premiership, and even with Celtic’s three games in hand outlets from Spain to the USA gave Neil Lennon’s men little hope of securing 10-in-a-row.
Here’s how the world’s media have reacted to Rangers’ 1-0 win.
SPAIN
“Rangers confirmed their status as intractable leader of the Scottish Premiership” declared Marca, adding: “Steven Gerrard’s team has no limits this season.”
After noting that Rangers have conceded just five goals and dropped only four points in their opening 22 fixtures, they claimed Rangers are “putting in check the dominance of Celtic”.
MEXICO
Futbol Sapiens called it an “even duel”, but suggested: “This seems to be the year in which the string of leagues won by the Verdiblancos (green-and-whites) will be broken.”
Referring to the Ibrox side’s time in the lower leagues, they said Rangers “today lives its best years in a long time.”
ITALY
La Gazzetta dello Sport hailed a “decisive step towards winning the title”, suggesting McGregor’s own goal “sees the end of a reign”.
McGregor was referred to as “the unlucky protagonist of the day”, with Celtic’s failure to capitalise on their first-half dominance reflected in the comment: “Gerrard’s team suffers at the start, then the green-and-whites hurt themselves.”
They also noted the “feline reflex” of Allan McGregor that denied Leigh Griffiths in the first half as Rangers put their “hands on the championship”.
THE NETHERLANDS
Dutch outlet De Telegraaf echoed those comments from Italy by saying: “The visitors got themselves into trouble.”
Rangers were considered to have “dealt Celtic a sensitive blow” with their victory.
FRANCE
“Rangers prance at the top of the championship” was the message from L’Equipe, who went on to highlight Rangers’ unbeaten Premiership run and impressive record of 57 goals scored with just five conceded.
So Foot said “Gerrard and his clan” had “avoided a great slip”, noting that “Celtic have not managed to come back even a little on their historic enemy”.
“Surely the fatal blow” was their verdict on the result’s significance.
USA
The Washington Post highlighted a post-match “snarl from Lennon” and speculated that “The result placed Lennon’s future as Celtic boss in fresh doubt.”
Although they pointed to Celtic’s three games in hand, the Post added: “It looks increasingly likely this will be Rangers’ year” as they reflected on “A tale of two McGregors”.
The Rangers number one’s display was once again praised as they said: “It might have been a different story had Gers keeper Allan McGregor not pulled off three world-class saves, including brilliantly finger-tipping Leigh Griffiths’ strike onto the post..”
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