To borrow a phrase from the Glasgow vernacular, Rangers’ gas has been put at a peep according to former Parkhead captain and Scotland internationalist Tom Boyd.
In the build-up to last week’s game, the now infamous decision to announce the cheering from Rangers’ dressing room in the immediate aftermath of the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final draw dominated the agenda.
Where Graeme Murty, the Rangers manager, meant to lend an impression of confidence and belief among his team, the received narrative around that revelation actually morphed into a story of misplaced arrogance.
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There is some scepticism that it fuelled anything from Celtic’s point of view, however, it most certainly underlined a raw naivity within the Ibrox side which has been celebrated by those of a green persuasion in the aftermath of their latest win over their rivals.
“It was as damaging a defeat as any at Ibrox for them and there are a few reasons for that,” observed Boyd, pictured.
“There was the cockiness from them beforehand and the cheering which came from their dressing room after they’d been drawn against the champions in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.
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“They’d been given some adulation after being in some wonderful games and scoring a lot of goals against some lesser opposition so they’d gone into the game with some confidence.
Add to that they were playing in their own territory, they’d been in front twice and Celtic had then gone down to 10 men and still beaten them, which shows the commitment and the desire of Brendan’s players. You don’t ever give the opposition a motivational speech and that’s what he did.
If there was the hint of glee from Boyd as he picked through the bones of the weekend it could be of little surprise. The former Celtic defender enjoyed considerable success in the twilight years of his career with the Parkhead side when he lifted the Treble in Martin O’Neill’s inaugural campaign but there were lean years before that.
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Boyd was an integral part of the years of struggle through the 1990s when Celtic lived in the perennial slipstream of their Ibrox counterparts. And should a level of counselling be required at Rangers for those players who have now endured nine games without a victory over Celtic, Boyd is well equipped to offer an insight into the psychological imprint that such a run leaves.
“It demoralises you and that most recent one [defeat] will certainly lower their spirits because they’d been getting results and scoring goals for fun,” he said. “Harking back to the 90s, Rangers were on top and had all these international and world-class players. Celtic have that now – as well as a top manager.”
Tom Boyd and Simon Donnelly were speaking at a press event
to publicise ‘Smell the Glove: When Celtic Stopped the Ten.’ Tickets are available now from:http://thecelticstarbookstore.co.uk.
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