The Night Celtic Took Back Control; Rangers Downfall

On January 2nd 2022, the highly anticipated Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers was due to take place. However, the game was postponed due to the introduction of a COVID circuit breaker by the Scottish Government. Much to the dismay of Rangers, who changed their position from playing games in front of fans just a year before to now claiming we should get on with fixtures behind closed doors.

It‘s a formula that proved successful for Ibrox‘s club who felt much more secure against Celtic without any spectators in the stadium.

The winter recess was inevitable anyway, and it was an obvious conclusion to advance it. Most teams were in agreement with the decision, but Rangers refused. According to Glasgow Times‘ Matt Lindsay, Gers supporters were likely to ‘storm the SPFL offices‘ should the winter recess be introduced. You can read his full article entitled ‘The SPFL risk incurring the wrath of Rangers‘ – it’s quite the read.

Celtic were seven points adrift when the SPFL prematurely shut down for the winter recess, the fate of the title firmly in Rangers‘ grasp.

The Glasgow Derby was to be rescheduled for a month later than its initial date on February 2nd. As time passed, Celtic supporters were eager to learn if the circuit breaker measures would be extended or if they would be able to attend the game with a reduced capacity. Fortunately, their prayers were answered when all bans on large gatherings were abolished, though spectators wear asked to wear face masks when moving around the arena.

By the time the game rolled around, Celtic were flying while the current title holders were faltering. The seven-point gap diminished to just two points ahead of the game taking place.

Earlier in the season, an own goal from the Ibrox club had resulted in no tickets being given out to Celtic fans for the reverse fixture. This meant that the stands were filled with only Celtic fans. I thought this might dampen the atmosphere, but I was wrong! The place was rocking.

This was no ordinary night for the Glasgow Derby – the lights at Celtic Park, the smoke from the flairs coming from the Green Brigade filling the air, and the inability to hear a thing as the players took to the stage – it was clear that this was a special night for Celtic fans. Being a night–time fixture, 60,000 Celtic fans, and the first Glasgow Derby at Celtic Park post–lockdown, the atmosphere was electric and unlike anything I‘d experienced before.

It would take just five minutes for new bhoy Reo Hatate to send the Celtic Park into an almighty frenzy. Firing home a superbly placed shot beyond Allan McGregor and giving Celtic the early lead.

Ange’s men had their rivals on the ropes, and they knew it! Celtic hounded Rangers relentlessly every time they had possession and pressured them into making so many mistakes. The bhoys could have gone 2-0 up much earlier had it not been for McGregror’s last-ditch goalkeeping.

As we entered the final five minutes of the half, Celtic were in control but not out of sight, which would have been the only consolation for every Rangers fan watching at home.

However, their last remnant of solace was shattered by Reo Hatate in the 42nd minute when he took the ball from outside the area and smashed it into the Rangers’ goal. The atmosphere inside the ground had reached another level; the stadium was trembling, and the noise was so loud you could have probably heard the roar of the Paradise crowd back at Ibrox.

The team was flying and heading into the break with a two-goal cushion. Hoops fans were on their feet long after the ball had been picked out the back of the Rangers net – the party was in full swing.

What happened next was something that will probably be etched in my brain until the day I die; I surveyed the scene after Reo’s second, the fans going wild, Ange standing on the touchline unfazed by the chaos around him. I’m honest enough to admit I almost missed what happened next!

From the corner of my eye, I saw Reo swing a ball into the box. My eyes darted to see where it would land, and Liel Abada had stealthily made his way past Borna Barasic and perfectly timed his run to meet the ball and slot it into the back of the net for a third!

I thought the second goal had seen the crowd reach the zenith, but I was wrong again. I can’t do the noise, the feeling, the moment justice with words.

Locked out of Paradise for well over a year, locked away from our family and friends, watching soulless football inside empty stadiums week after week as our team couldn’t come to grips with what was happening in the world. The last 18 months had been full of frustration, anxiety, and distress. The euphoria of watching the night unfold alongside our fellow supporters was released into the crisp night air of the East End of Glasgow.

We hadn‘t just arrived with the intention of defeating Rangers; we had come to send them an unequivocal message: We are back! And we are gunning for the title!

The second half wasn‘t nearly as exciting as the first. Rangers attempted to prevent Celtic from furthering their lead rather than attempting to regain a foothold in the game. It was clear that they were scared and didn‘t want to concede any additional goals.

When the final whistle blew, another party began! Oasis‘ “Roll with it“ played over the tannoy, providing a soundtrack to 60,000 Celtic fans, who joyfully sang along as the bhoys took a lap of honour. For the younger fans, it was just a great moment. For guys in their thirties and beyond, we recall the song being played on many memorable days in the past, the Celtic Park DJ giving a nod to our past triumphs while celebrating this one.

When Celtic fans recall some of the best games they’ve ever been to or watched, this game is regularly referenced. We beat Rangers 4-0 at Celtic Park less than a year after this game, and while satisfying at the time, it didn’t hold a candle to that extraordinary night in February.

The Bhoys would hit the top spot that evening and never lose that position again. Ange Postecoglou winning the title in his debut season. He turned a group of players from all around the world into a team in less than ten months.

Match Highlights: