"Rangers relegated to the Third Divison after a 25-5 vote gets them out."
July 2012, the dreaded memory for every Rangers fan as they found themselves enter administration and relegated into the third division. Every Rangers fan would have been glued to the TV today watching Celtic face Dundee United in great anticipation to see their 10 year wait for a major trophy to end.
Perhaps the fiercest rivalry in the world, the Old Firm derby has been home for many punch-ups, from players to fans the hatred lies far deeper than football. Both based in Glasgow, the bragging rights have been all in Celtic's hands, with the Hoops the dominant force of Scottish football during recent years. Neil Lennon's side were looking to make it 10 league wins in a row, however, Gerrard's men were having none of it with a truly dominant performance throughout the campaign.
With Rangers' finally celebrating their first Scottish Premier League title in 10 years thanks to Celtic dropping points at Tannadice, is it due to Rangers' inspired performances or Celtic's fatal dip in form? To be 20 points clear with six games to play, shows the problems are a combination of them both.
To win the league, defensive ability is always key and Gerrard's men have been solid. Only conceding nine goals in 32 games, veteran shot-stopper, Alan McGregor, has perhaps been the player of the season, his two biggest saves made against Celtic to stop their rivals closing the gap. His performances have been great although he is surrounded by a great defence that can not only stop goals but can also bag them, with James Tavernier, the right-back, unbelievably the top scorer in the Rangers squad. With young talent mixed with experienced heads, Gerrard has really got his men performing to the highest level, finding themselves in the quarter-final of the Europa League where they will face Slavia Prague. An attack with the likes of Morelos, Roofe, Hagi and even Kent, the forwards have been clinical, a trait the Celtic strikers could only wish for. Winning the league while remaining unbeaten, many fans will be calling for Gerrard to replace Klopp sooner rather than later.
Celtic, so used to cruising to victories, have found it much harder this season. As the Celts' fans know, Neil Lennon has never been the most tactical coach, relying instead on his motivational skills along with youth development. His regular formation changes and bizarre tactics, such as playing three at the back against a lone striker and wingers who drop back, have seen his team lacking in attacking power. With motivation supposedly his best skill, Lennon still seemed unable to get his players 'up for it' enough and it was no surprise that he parted ways with the club. Normally so strong, with strength in depth, it's strange that the loss of key winger, James Forrest who has been sidelined for a large chunk of the season through injury, has also affected the Hoops to such a degree.
Liverpool legend, Stevie G, will now be seen as a Rangers legend too and will go down in the club's rich history as the manager who turned the tide.
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