When it comes to matters on the pitch then you can’t really excuse anything Celtic produced on Saturday, but there was evidence that a decision off the pitch was the right one to make.
At the start of the season, Neil Lennon urged the SPFL to push back the Rangers game as far as possible to get crowds in the door. Speaking to the Scottish Sun, Lennon said: “Should the first Old Firm game be pushed back? I think that’s what everyone would want. Everyone associated with the game would want that and the clubs would want that. I’m sure it would suit the TV companies as well.”
And my god wasn’t he proved right.
The SPFL listened and pushed back the derby to October 17th, undoubtedly in the hope that some fans could get pushed through the door. However, a second spike in Covid cases ended any hope of that, and the game went ahead without any fans.
And what a lifeless, dull affair it was for the most part. Sure, Rangers won’t feel that way having won the game, but as a spectacle, it was absolutely brutal viewing. It may not feel that way for the victors, but when you win the game you don’t really care how or where it happens.
Much of the debate heading into the contest was how much the lack of fans would have an effect on proceedings. Usually when these games are poor on the eye, the sheer tension and the atmosphere of the game always make it an intriguing watch.
But you could tell on Saturday that both sets of players were without a spring in their step. Much has been made of the fact that Allan McGregor had little to do. You can’t deny that either – Celtic only created two chances via Mohamed Elyounoussi and Leigh Griffiths respectively.
Barkas was fairly quiet himself
Yet what hasn’t been discussed is the lack of chances Rangers created too. Outside of their two cross-ball goals, Celtic’s Vasilis Barkas hardly had an effort to save either.
Without the supporters it was lifeless, and felt for large spells like a training game. Granted, the onus was on us to create after going behind, but without the roar of the fans to push us on, it was all just too timid.
And that’s not an excuse for the result either. Rangers very well could’ve won as comfortably had we had a packed stadium. But in terms of an occasion, we saw just how much not having anyone in effects the contest – hugely.
Granted, the nerves were still there – that much is true. Yet it’s usually that combination of nerves and raucous atmosphere that creates that unique spine-tingling and butterfly-feeling effect. That just wasn’t there.
Celtic and the SPFL at the very least deserve credit for trying to push this fixture back as long as possible. It’s nowhere near the same contest without spectators. There was less in the way of aggression, chances, and just the general tempo.
Unlike some in our rivals’ fanbase, I would be delighted if Ibrox was able to bring back a select number of people for the return match on January 2nd. This is a fixture that should scream entertainment, and just having some fans in the stadium will add a more proper feeling to the contest.
It’s just about the only good decision we made regarding the fixture as a whole. Here’s hoping we can celebrate a few more on-field matters come the end of the next one.
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