Even Giovanni van Bronckhorst isn't hiding the real truth about Celtic draw

By David Walton

May 1, 2022

As the Rangers fans no doubt try to take some sort of moral victory from today’s 1-1 draw at Celtic Park, even their manager isn’t hiding the real truth about today.

Rangers failed to get the job done at Celtic Park. They had to beat Ange Postecoglou’s men in order to have any chance of securing the title. They remain 6 points behind with only 3 games remaining. Not to mention Celtic have a vastly superior goal difference that won’t be overturned.

It marks an incredible points swing since van Bronckhorst became Rangers manager. Celtic were 6 behind but still in the early stages of the Ange era when the Dutchman was appointed. Since then, there’s been a 12-point swing in Celtic’s favour as the Hoops have proven to be the dominant team in Scottish football.

Van Bronckhorst was speaking post-match on Sky Sports Football [01/05/22, 2:08pm], and even he wasn’t in the mood to fabricate the true reality of today:

“As I said before the game, we needed a win to close the gap to 3 points. We didn’t. We drew. I think we did everything and I couldn’t have asked for more. We did everything we could to win this game but in the end we’re 2 points short.

“Of course, I think only a win today would’ve given us a chance to close the gap even more. But it’s still 6 points and the goal difference is in favour of Celtic. So it will be more difficult after today.”

Celtic closing in on the one thing van Bronckhorst was brought in to avoid

It says a lot that van Bronckhorst can’t even paper over the result today. He knows just how grim a result that is for their title hopes.

What we’re now seeing is Celtic earning the rewards from their 2-1 win at Ibrox at the beginning of last month. If we had failed to get 3 points in that one, then this title race would be looking a lot more tricky.

Even defeat today would’ve left us in a strong position. There really is no downside to today outside of a bit of pride being hurt in failing to get the win.

You can expect rival-supporting friends and colleagues to tell you about how lucky we were to get away with it due to their missed second-half chances. But just be sure to remind them that we could’ve been out of sight by half-time. That Daizen Maeda should easily have had 2 goals on the day.

Indeed, we move on and attention must turn swiftly to Hearts at Celtic Park next week. 3 points there and we can start getting the champagne out.

Rangers failed in their mission today. Celtic achieved theirs – no damage done in our title pursuit.

In other news, Ange delivers the title reality of Celtic derby draw; says rivals “needed to win”