Rangers' Back-to-Back Wins: A Turning Point Against Celtic
Rangers’ back‑to‑back wins over Celtic have done more than tighten the title race. They’ve jolted the mood of an entire support. Two Old Firm victories in the space of a week, the gap at the top cut to two points, and suddenly the conversation has shifted from damage limitation to domination.
For many Rangers fans, this feels like a turning of the tide.
“The beginning for Rangers – and the beginning of the end for Celtic”
Derek didn’t bother with caution. He went straight for the big statement.
"It's the beginning for Rangers and the beginning of the end for Celtic," he said, reflecting a surge of belief in the Ibrox ranks. What’s changed, in his eyes, isn’t just the scoreline. It’s the identity.
Rangers, he argued, now marry work rate and physicality with a growing confidence on the ball. Direct, powerful, relentless running, and a visible bond between players – this is the version of the team he recognises and has been craving.
At the heart of that, he picked out Ryan Naderi, who has led the line with a mix of aggression and intelligence that “epitomised” the new message under Derek McInnes. Alongside him, Olwethu Makhanya was hailed as “an incredible signing and unflappable” – a defender who looks like he has been in these fixtures for years, not weeks.
Silencing Parkhead
Louise admitted she wondered if lightning could strike twice. Another statement win over Celtic, and in such commanding fashion? She wasn’t sure.
Then she watched it.
“What a performance again from Rangers,” she said, still processing a display that could have run up a far bigger scoreline. Makhanya and Naderi again drew praise, but this time she highlighted Dan Neil’s grip on the midfield and described it as “probably Dujon Sterling's best performance in a Rangers shirt”.
The cutting edge was the only complaint. Had Rangers been more ruthless in the final third, Louise felt “it could have been a cricket score”. In the end, one goal was enough. Enough to drain the noise from Parkhead. Enough to underline that last week wasn’t a fluke.
Her bigger point landed with weight: this team, in her view, have “grown up very quickly” and now have a clear idea of what they can do. That, she insisted, must be the foundation, not the peak. McInnes, she believes, has “made his mark as Rangers manager now” and whatever comes next, he must be allowed to build on it.
Midfield masters and tactical questions
Sally’s eye went straight to the engine room. Seven days earlier, she saw Dan Neil run the show. This time, it was Nico Raskin who took control.
Raskin’s performance, she felt, swung the midfield battle, while Naderi again stood out up front. Djeidi Gassama, she added, could count himself unlucky not to score with a sharp effort that almost capped another impressive display.
Her surprise came from the dugout. McInnes stuck with his approach from the previous win, and Celtic, in her view, failed to react. Same Rangers shape, same problems for their rivals. Same outcome.
Makhanya wins over a sceptic
Chris confessed he wasn’t sold on Makhanya when the defender first arrived. That doubt didn’t last.
By the time Rangers had chalked up a second win in a week over Celtic, his tone had flipped completely. This, he said, looked “like a kick about in the back garden with the kids” for the South African. Calm, dominant, assured.
The disallowed goal only strengthened the impression. The finish, Chris insisted, was “absolutely stunning” – the kind of strike that would have gone straight into Old Firm folklore had it stood.
Two wins. Two points in it. A Rangers side suddenly playing with bite, belief and a clear identity. Celtic still lead the Scottish Premiership, but with McInnes’ team charging and a support sensing something bigger, how long can that grip on top spot really last?
