Celtic’s strength in depth compared to Rangers was highlighted.
Celtic and Rangers had very different Scottish League Cup semi-final experiences at the weekend.
Both teams entered their games at 0-0 at half-time. Celtic were able to turn theirs around to beat Hearts 3-0, while Rangers slumped to a 1-0 loss to Aberdeen.
The difference was that Celtic had real quality to bring off their bench, and Rangers did not.
Celtic were able to call on Scott Sinclair, a player with more than 100 appearances for the club and upwards of 40 goals.
Ryan Christie came on and had a breakout game, but this came after he made 43 appearances out on loan at Aberdeen last season.
Rangers had no such experience to call upon, even within their starting line-up. Ryan Kent and Ovie Ejaria have been solid additions, but this time last year they were either sitting on the bench or playing academy football, not starting a semi-final.
They were forced to make a desperate play to bring on Umar Sadiq, who has never started a game in Scottish football, and may possibly never do again.
Substitute Scott Arfield has experience, but not in big games and was just returning from injury.
Pinning hopes on promising teenager Glenn Middleton to turn it around was more out of hope than expectation.
Until Rangers get some real experience on their bench, they risk continuing to fall short when it counts.
Celtic already have the experience they need, and it turned the game around.
Rangers will be better off for this, regardless of the result, and in a year’s time they will be in a better position. On this occasion, their lack of experience cost them.
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