It’s not often a prelude to a derby comes with a script as intriguing as Thursday night at Ibrox. Ange Postecoglou’s return to Glasgow, albeit as Spurs manager, carried a unique subtext. Many expected his side to show the authority and poise befitting their lofty Premier League status, but football, as ever, thrives on subverting expectations.
Rangers showed an intensity and organisation that forced Tottenham to toil. Philippe Clement’s men were the ones dictating terms for large spells, unsettling Spurs and leaving Ange’s Spurs outfit looking second-best. It took Fraser Forster’s last-gasp heroics—rolling back the years with a reflex save—to keep the scoreline at 1-1 and salvage some dignity for the visitors.
A Sobering Thought for Celtic Fans
If you’re a Celtic fan and tuned into that game, it might have offered a sobering dose of perspective. For weeks, there’s been talk of large margins and cantering to the League Cup. It’s easy to fall into that rhythm when you’re 11 points clear at the top of the table. But Thursday night reminded us that in cup finals—especially against Rangers—nothing is ever straightforward.
Let’s not forget the Scottish Cup final earlier this year. It wasn’t a demolition; it was decided in the dying embers. Celtic had the better of it overall, but the game hung on a knife edge until Adam Idah struck late. Moments like that are a reminder that anything less than full focus can see even the strongest teams unravel.
A Wake-Up Call in Disguise?
Oddly enough, watching Rangers play like that gives me more confidence heading into Sunday. Not because it diminishes Celtic’s quality but because it removes any chance of underestimating the challenge. There’s a fine line between confidence and complacency, and Thursday’s performance from Rangers will have sharpened the minds of everyone at Lennoxtown.
Celtic’s performances in recent weeks have been solid if unspectacular. Three games without defeat but also without hitting the dizzying heights we’ve come to expect. Yet, as we’ve seen so many times under Brendan Rodgers, Celtic know how to find a way when it matters. That experience, that grit, will be crucial at Hampden.
No Forgone Conclusion
This isn’t about league standings or recent form. Finals are won on small details—mistakes avoided, chances taken, and composure held in moments of madness. Rangers have nothing to lose in this game, and that makes them a dangerous opponent. But Celtic have shown time and again they are capable of rising to these occasions.
Sunday won’t be a procession. It’s going to be a battle, and if Celtic want to lift the cup, they’ll have to earn it the hard way. The league may show a gulf in class, but on the day, it’s all about who handles the occasion better.
