The Liverpool legend has given his side hope and is looking for his first trophy as a manager in the Scottish League Cup finalIt would be natural for Celtic supporters to have spent recent days in a state of apprehension. For the prospect of their domestic dominance being halted by their Old Firm rivals Rangers is galling. Were Aberdeen, Dundee United or Motherwell to end Celtic’s consecutive trophy haul, which currently stands at nine, there would be joy for the underdog and widespread shock. If Rangers break the spell, the mutual impact would be considerable. For all that Celtic should be the favourites heading into Sunday’s Scottish League Cup final, a Hampden Park showpiece likely to be more intense, and...
Hibernian and Aberdeen have also risen to the occasion as Celtic prepare to set out for an eighth title in a rowThe swagger returned to Scottish football in recent days. A close battle between Aberdeen and Burnley, Hibernian’s success over the fifth-ranked team in Greece last season and Rangers’ victory over the fourth-best team in Croatia triggered giddy excitement. Celtic had already taken a further step towards the Champions League with their defeat of Rosenborg. Glory, glory hallelujah. Related: Scottish Premiership 2018-19 preview: Celtic favourites but focus on Gerrard Related: Europa League: Burnley’s Cork and Barnes sink Aberdeen in extra time Continue reading...
The notion that players would be queuing up to play for a Rangers team on Gerrard’s watch is hilariously overplayedPerhaps Rangers and Steven Gerrard are operating on the basis of shared risk being a minimised one. There is precious little by way of alternative reasoning for this management alliance being recognised as mutually beneficial.At a time when Rangers desperately need experience, they are in danger of being blinded by a big name and the kind of desperate urge to reannounce themselves as a grand club that is undermined by a string of core details relating to behaviour and performance. Joey Barton was once part of a similar, short-lived, Rangers initiative. Related: Steven Gerrard confirms ‘positive talks’ with Rangers after Murty...
Portuguese at Ibrox joins the ranks of left-field coaches who arrived in Scotland’s Premiership but were destined for short staysTop-class foresight was hardly required before suggesting Pedro Caixinha and Rangers may not prove to be an effective alliance. Or a long-term one.One glance at his CV at the time of his appointment was sufficient to raise eyebrows concerning a coach prone to changing job with such regularity it seemed odd that Rangers, a club desperate for stability, would be attracted to him in the first place. Related: Rangers sack Pedro Caixinha as manager after seven months in charge Related: Pedro Caixinha under pressure after Rangers slump to Motherwell defeat Continue reading...
Romelu Lukaku has a big chance to make an impact against Chelsea, Hull City battle against history and Rangers seek to end Old Firm derby drought Related: Tottenham clash with Arsenal takes Pochettino back to another demolition derby | David Hytner Related: Joey Barton’s ban for gambling on football was ‘shortest possible’, says FA Continue reading...