Celtic defeated their bitter rivals 5-1 at Parkhead in the Old Firm, but there was no denying the sense of occasion that has been returned to the Scottish Premiership.
Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas was having his say on Saturday’s Old Firm match, ahead of the game at Celtic Park, in comments appearing on BBC Sport.
Jenas couldn’t contain his excitement as the minutes ticked towards kickoff, and the 33-year-old pointed to the return of Rangers as offering plenty to the Scottish Premiership.
“I all of a sudden want to watch Scottish football again,” the former Spurs star said on BBC Sport. “Rangers will claw that gap back again, just give it time.
“Players are heading to Scotland again. Joey Barton could have played in the Premier League again this season but he decided to go to Rangers.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers with Rangers manager Mark Warburton before the game
It certainly was a match worth watching but certainly not one to dwell on for Rangers fans. The Bhoys were a powerful attacking side, and swept aside their rivals 5-1, but the sense of occasion surrounding the match was easy to pick up, even if it will be hurting Gers supporters following the result.
In truth, both the Ibrox faithful and neutral football fans would have been oversimplifying the task by suggesting the Gers would have no problem challenging Celtic despite being out of the division for four years.
Celtic’s Moussa Dembele shoots at goal
Of course, with their legacy, their fan base, and the new group of players Mark Warburuton has put together, Rangers are going to be one of the stronger teams in the Premiership, but it might take a few months, if not an entire season or two, for the club to get back to the performance level to really push on and make a confident challenge for the top spot, rather than a hopeful one.
But their ability to convince players to choose Ibrox over Premier League football means it is inevitable, as Jenas says. Rangers will be up there with Celtic soon, but already the division is better for it.
Though Scottish football fans would of course have still been enjoying their football even without Rangers in the top flight, what is undeniable is that with both Glasgow giants in the same division, the league is healthier and there is a bigger draw between Celtic, Rangers and the other clubs in the Premiership.
Rangers’ Joey Barton looks dejected
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