A breakdown of the action from Celtic v Rangers on Sunday

There are few better ways to conclude a tumultuous and emotionally exhausting week than beating Rangers and, in turn, securing a spot in a cup final. It was a definitive full stop in a week of madness, a solid bookend for seven days of emotionally charged change, uncertainty, and blissful nostalgia. It is now time to start looking forward.

O’Neill stated on Wednesday night that his primary job was a “Restoration of confidence.” These last two games have been a step in that direction, a welcome reprieve from the gloom which has enveloped the club and inhibited the team.

It was not without fault, though. Rangers, down to 10 men from the 39th minute, were allowed to come back into this and force extra time. Extra time, when it arrived, was the perfect watershed for Celtic to refresh, recalibrate and focus. Goals from Callum McGregor and 19-year-old Callum Osmond secured a deserved victory.

Celtic need to get back to being brutally ruthless; they also need to start putting both halves of their game together.

Notes

It’s hard to watch these games with much objectivity or offer anything like a balanced perspective at the time. I did scribble down some notes while at the game.

·      Out of the cold and back in the team, Austin Trusty performed to the level we saw in Munich, Atalanta and throughout his first few months at the club. His most pronounced attributes are clearly his height and pace. He can win headers easily; he can recover quickly in 1 v 1 situations.

·         In general, his rangy, stride and physique often make him the most athletic player on the pitch. Harnessing such physicality can be a struggle, but yesterday it manifested itself perfectly. It should not be missed that his job, left-footed, playing on the right of defence, is particularly awkward. He looked all the world, worth his £6million price tag and was justly picked as man of the match.

·         This physicality was further enhanced by Arne Engels and Jonny Kenny. Throughout the spine of the team, Celtic look faster, taller, and more durable now than they did a few weeks back. Both Kenny and Engels have a similar body type that lends itself to this more direct incarnation of football. Describing it as having “legs” doesn’t do it justice, but it is close enough to what I’m trying to convey. Aside from this tangible quality they’re bringing renewed vigour to the side. Post-Falkirk game, I spoke about their enthusiasm. Again, this seems reductive but along with Saracchi, Osmond and even Trusty, you have a group of players, now desperate to win a place and prove themselves. Engles, Kenny and Osmand also give the team a more youthful look; the average age of the team at home to Hibs – September – was 28.2 years old.

·         Jonny Kenny. Some seem quite focused on Kenny being a master of nothing but his jack of all trades performance yesterday, which was the perfect tonic. He was fully functioning, in all aspects and seemed a real focal point, into feet and behind the Rangers defence. I thought he was outstanding, a real presence in Celtic’s attack, which, with him, the returning Maeda and Tounetki on the left, has certainly got an element of pace and punch about it again. Kenny’s header was a superb example of the power and ability he is starting to show. Special mention for his celebration as well. Gallus.

·         Callum Osmand. Superstar.

Rangers

If you follow this page, you may have become aware of the fact that I never discuss Rangers. It’s low-hanging fruit and often very clickbait in nature. I’ll indulge for a second, though.

These games have had next to no jeopardy since the last time we met at Hampden. They often now seem quite lose/lose for us, considering there is such expectation on them. The first half was a great showing from Celtic, but post-match, Rangers seemed to receive plenty of credit. That’s fine, and them being 2^nd best is now becoming self-perpetuating.

In the first half, with personnel parity, Celtic were by far the better side, and this should have been a wrap by the interval. Chasing, though, is now the natural state or default for the Ibrox side, unable to push the boundary when the onus is on them, they are much more comfortable as underdogs; galvanised by victimhood and inferiority. Therefore, when reduced to 10 men, they play with no pressure; the game is simplified and expectations lowered. Trying hard becomes good enough. It is only good enough if you want to be a semi-finalist.