Rangers come out on top of Old Firm

Against all odds, the Rangers defeated Celtic 1-0 to take a two point lead in the SPL race with three weeks remaining in the campaign. The result was as outstanding as the comeback in which Celtic appeared to be sailing clear in the early spring. Given the split schedule the Scottish Premier League uses the Gers remaining schedule is far from an easy one but they are definitely in the pole position to end Celtic three year hold on the crown.

The only significant change to the lineup was Kenny Miller's return to the starting eleven with Lithuanian international Andrius Velička pushed to the bench. The addition of Scottish international to the fold proved vital as his attacking pulse showed early on and ultimately it was his cross that led to Stephen Davis plunking in the winner eight minutes before the break.

To the surprise of many the pacing of the Old Firm derby stepped away from the expected plow like approach and was decidedly up-tempo. With both sides choosing to "win" the match, opportunities began to emerge with Shunsuke Nakamura forcing the best out of by Gers 'keeper Neil Alexander. Moments later a Steven Whittaker attempt rang off the post and the back and forth pace continued until seven minutes past the half-hour when Kris Boyd's provision to Kenny Miller resulted in fine cross being sent pass Celtic's Artur Boruc by Steven Davis. Prior to the break Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink came within a whisper of equalizing the match however Steven Davis proved to be up to the task on the other end as he cleared the former PSV man's header off the line. After the break Kris Boyd's misfortune in the Old Firm as he was unable to close the day out on two separate occasions yet Celtic equally were denied by a morsel of fate. As the match turned to this final quarter-hour Aiden McGeady beaded down on the leveler but his effort rattled the woodwork before falling to safety. Without further the mark concluded with Rangers victorious and head towards Hibernian on Wednesday with the championship before them.

Nacho Novo to miss Old Firm derby

Walter Smith confirmed that Nacho Novo will be out for three weeks, thus ruling him out of Sundays Old Firm derby at Celtic Park.

The manager said:

"Nacho will miss the Celtic game and unfortunately his ankle will keep him out of that one.

"We are disappointed to lose him because he is one of those players who has been starting in the team and playing well recently.

"Even as a substitute, Nacho is the type to come on and make a great impact so we'll miss him in this game and the next few we have coming up.

"It is a different situation altogether with Kenny and he will be okay for the match at the weekend.

"He's getting a bit of discomfort at the top of his hamstring but the problem isn't actually in the muscle itself. He will be fine."

Celtic v Rangers preview

With both clubs stumbling of late, Rangers have crept back into the title race and tomorrows Old Firm clash at Ibrox is critical for Gordon Smith's dreams to hoist the hardware. While the Gers have had a great deal of success recently at home against Celtic, the pressure is on to earn the full three points.

In this match that defines far more that championship races, all Footballers will be pushing their bodies to the limits. On the injury front the Rangers will have Chris Burke, Maurice Edu and Kenny Miller ready although Madjid Bougherra will undergo a late fitness test. The cat and mouse commentary of whether Kris Boyd will be a part of his first match against Celtic since May 2007 has garnered a great deal of attention but it difficult to imagine that Walter Smith would keep his top scorer out for the match. He may have given a clue the Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller will be paired at striker by stating:

"It's always difficult to leave Kris Boyd out of your team because he is a natural goalscorer.

On the opposite end of the pitch Gordon Strachan's Celtic side looks to be fully fit with only Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink absent.

Henrik Larsson rumour isn’t really that surprising

With a career that has included notable stops in Feyenoord, Celtic and even a short stint last year with Man Utd it isn’t surprising to hear Henrik Larsson mentioned as a possible solution to the striker crisis at Everton. In-fact while many have bantered the Swedish internationals name as a “shocker”, it shouldn’t be that surprising as he is well known to be one of the better “short-term” solutions in the game today. Naturally at thirty-seven years of age, the best days are behind him but he could be the perfect solution in a very troubling time.

Nissan puts hold on Shunsuke Nakamura move

The much ballyhooed move of Blue Samurai Shunsuke Nakamura 中村 俊輔 from Celtic to J-League’s Yokohama 横浜市 has been squashed as the F Marinos F・マリノス parent company, Nissan, is cutting costs during the worldwide financial meltdown.

The thirty year-old veteran has expressed an intense desire to return to Japan with Yokohama, where his professional career commenced in 1997. Although his contract is set to expire June, the Yokohama F Marinos 横浜F・マリノス had noted an interest to bring him during the January transfer window so that he would be available at the start of the J-League season. However Nissan as decided to hold-back on the fee, rumoured to be £3m and wait till his contract expires in June and he can join the club without additional cost.

Yuji Nakazawa out with injury

Takeshi Okada's Blue Samurai's were dealt a tough blow as Yokohama F-Marinos Yuji Nakazawa has been forced to pull-out of the lineup with a muscle strain he suffered in a J-League match against Kyoto Purple Sanga. This situation is further complicated as it is questionable that Celtic's Shunsuke Nakamura will be recovered in time for the Qatar match.

The Old Firm

As expected, the Old Firm was a hot-tempered affair with both clubs finishing one-man down and Rangers stunning Celtic with a resounding 4-2 victory.















Surprise starter Daniel Cousin threaded a shot in at the thirty-seventh minute from a ridiculously tight angle to give Rangers a one goal margin. However Greek international Georgios Samaras leveled the score a few minutes later when he pounced on a bad clearance from Sasa Papac and slotted home a goal from five or so meters. The pace of the second half was hot and heavy and Kenny Miller gave the Rangers the lead again seven minutes after the break when he converted on a Charlie Adam cross. Pedro Mendes added to the lead when rocketed a shot past Artur Boruc to the bottom corner, who was having a uncharacteristically bad day, some twenty meters out at the sixty-second minute. By the seventy-sixth minute, tempers flared and both Daniel Cousin and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink were shown red-cards. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink’s mental lapse was particularly costly as it was more of a retribution type when they had a one man advantage. At the seventy-ninth minute Artur Boruc’s nightmare day continued when he bobbled a volley and Kenny Miller netted the rebound for his second of the day. Deep into added time Shunsuke Nakamura struck a academy-lesson on how to strike a free-kick. To say it was a thing of beauty is an understatement.














This was a great victory for the Rangers and while this leaves them in a celebratory mood, they must remain composed and focus upon one match at a time. This is a long season and championships are not won in August.

Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Wilson (Hutchinson 84), Nakamura, Hartley (Robson 72), Scott Brown, McGeady, Maloney, Samaras (Vennegoor of Hesselink 72).
Subs Not Used: Mark Brown, Crosas, Loovens, O’Dea.

Sent Off: Vennegoor of Hesselink (76). Booked: McManus, Samaras.

Goals: Samaras 39, Nakamura 90.

Rangers: McGregor, Broadfoot, Weir, Bougherra, Papac, Davis, Pedro Mendes, Thomson, Adam (Novo 78), Cousin, Miller.
Subs Not Used: Alexander, Edu, Dailly, Lafferty, Niguez, McMillan.

Sent Off: Cousin (75). Booked: Thomson, Cousin, Adam, McGregor, Broadfoot.

Goals: Cousin 37, Miller 52, Pedro Mendes 62, Miller 79.