Calum McGregor admitted Celtic had to “take their medicine” after a bruising first half at Ibrox before fighting back to claim a point. Two down at the break, the Bhoys were second to most loose balls and struggled to get any rhythm in possession.
Rangers started fast and forced Celtic into mistakes. The press was aggressive and direct. When the second goal went in, Celtic looked stretched across the back line and light in midfield. It felt like the game was drifting away.
The interval gave the Hoops a reset. The message was simple. Move the ball quicker and commit to playing through the pressure instead of going long too early. Reo Hatate’s introduction helped, but so did a shift in mindset.
By the final stages, Celtic were the team pushing. They kept the ball higher up the pitch and forced Rangers to defend deeper than they had in the first half. The late equaliser capped that swing.
McGregor said: (Sky Sports), “It’s difficult when you come here and the crowd get on top of you. They start well. They’re a good side, they’re direct, they make you defend. Sometimes you have to take your medicine and regroup.
“I thought we were by far the better team in the second half. Probably unlucky not to actually go and win it.
“A point’s a good result, so it keeps it in our hands as well. We’ve got to just keep winning our games.”
Kieran Tierney added: “When we came out for the second half, we were a totally different team. We kept the ball much better, created chances.
“We just need to be stronger in moments and win our duels. But again, in the second half, we showed the character.”
The captain’s line about keeping it in their hands points to the table. Celtic still have fixtures to come that can shape the race. Aberdeen away is next and that ground has not always been kind to them.
There is no room for slow starts now. The schedule is tight and the margins are thin.
Celtic proved they can swing a game at Ibrox. The challenge is doing it from the first whistle.
