Celtic V Rangers: Old Firm derby becomes must-win for both clubs at Ibrox
Sunday’s Ibrox fixture between the sides is a simple, brutal test: celtic v rangers is a must-win for both teams as they chase down Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership, and a draw will do little for either club.
Old Firm stage set at Ibrox for second v third
Ibrox will host a game between second and third in the Scottish Premiership, with pressure described as returning to Rangers and Celtic for what the called a "must-win to end all must-wins" on Sunday. Martin O'Neill turns 74 on the day, a milestone that the former manager will spend in the furnace of the Old Firm rather than celebrating with candles.
Celtic V Rangers and the stakes involved
The match is framed as one that demands a winner: a draw is of little use to either club now, and the wrote that if there is a winner there has to be a loser and "the wrath will descend, " especially if Celtic lose. The article noted jeopardy for both from each other and from Hearts and Motherwell in the title-line analysis.
Rangers’ boardroom moves and Danny Rohl’s position
Rangers owner Andrew Cavenagh has made sweeping changes: he "got rid of a manager, a chief executive and a sporting director, " and spent millions in the January window on top of millions in the summer. The club had a "£20m net spend" in the summer and invested again in January, and the side are described as having a popular manager in Danny Rohl and an apparent boardroom ambition.
Celtic’s internal turmoil and financial picture
Celtic are portrayed as directionless without a manager to rebuild the team and with the same unpopular people who appointed Wilfried Nancy now tasked with finding his successor. The piece described Celtic supporters as apoplectic with their board, split on how to voice that anger, and arguing in the underworld of social media where accusatory language is flying and toxicity is pervasive.
The also set out Celtic’s recent financial scale: in the past decade Celtic have made an estimated £195m in prize money and television rights, sold three different players for £25m apiece, a further five players for between £10-£20m, and a number of others in the £5m-£10m bracket, and hold £67m in cash reserves.
Where Hearts and Motherwell fit into the title race
Hearts sit stubbornly at the top of the Scottish Premiership and, the noted, Rangers are still behind Derek McInnes' Hearts. Motherwell under Jens Berthel Askou are described as winning and entertaining and "almost incapable of conceding a goal in the league, " creating additional pressure on the Glasgow clubs.
The story contrasted European revenue over the last decade: Rangers have made close to £100m from European football in those 10 years, Hearts have earned about a tenth of that, and Motherwell have made about a tenth of what Hearts have made.
Match coverage and club sites
Efforts to follow live coverage showed some access issues: a Sky Sports blog returned the message "Sorry, this blog is currently unavailable. Please try again later. " The Rangers club site displayed a short placeholder headline, "Just a moment... ", when accessed for updates.
The next concrete milestone is the Sunday match at Ibrox itself; both clubs face an immediate requirement to win as they chase down Hearts in the Scottish Premiership, and the fixture will be decisive for the Old Firm’s hopes this week.
