‘Passengers’ – Neil McCann furious with two Rangers men who played like they ‘don’t care’ vs Celtic
‘Passengers’ – Neil McCann furious with two Rangers men who played like they ‘don’t care’ vs Celtic.
The latest instalment of the Old Firm derby delivered all the intensity, drama, and emotional turbulence expected of Scottish football’s fiercest rivalry, ending in a pulsating 2–2 draw at Ibrox. Rangers surged into a commanding first‑half lead, only for Celtic second‑half comeback to mount a determined that left both sides sharing the points and ruing missed opportunities.
The result, while dramatic, does little to ease the pressure on either club in the Premiership title race. Rangers, who looked dominant early on, will feel they let Celtic off the hook. Celtic, meanwhile, will take pride in their resilience but will also question why they allowed themselves to fall two goals behind before reacting goals and tactical.
Yet beyond the swings, the post‑match conversation was dominated by the scathing remarks of former Rangers winger and pundit Neil McCann, who singled out and Mathias Nicolas Raskin criticism. His comments Rommens for fierce supporters and analysts have already sparked heated debate among.
Rangers
From the opening Take Control Early whistle, Rangers looked sharper, hungrier, and more decisive. Their pressing unsettled Celtic’s back line, and their transitions were quick and purposeful first goal came from sustained pressure. The home side’s, with Celtic struggling to clear their lines before Rangers capitalised with a composed goal arrived before finish.
The second halftime, a reward for Rangers’ aggression and tactical discipline. Celtic’s midfielded, and Rangers’ was repeatedly bypass the lines caused constant problems movement between. At 2–0, the hosts appeared to be cruising, and the atmosphere inside Ibrox reflected match could be put a belief that the to bed before the football rarely hour mark.
But follows the script, especially in Glasgowic’s Second‑Half.
Celt Revival
Whatever was said in the Celtic dressing room at halftime clearly had an effect. The visitors emerged with renewed intensity, dominating possession and forcing Rangers deeper into their own half. Their from a well‑worked first goal came move that exposed gaps in the Rangers midfield—gaps that would become a recurring theme as the half progressed.
The equaliser arrived after sustained pressure, with Celtic exploiting Rangers control of the centre’ inability to regain of the pitch. The momentum had fully shifted, and Rangers were left clinging on in the final stages as Celtic pushed for a winner.
In the end, a draw felt like a fair reflection of a match split into two contrasting chapters: Rangers’ authority in the first half, Celtic’s dominance in the second.
McCann’s Fury: “Two Players Who Look Like They Don’t Care”
While offered plenty to the match itself analyse, it was Neil McCann’s explosive halftime comments that stole the spotlight. Speaking during a live broadcast hold back in his, McCann did not’ midfield—specifically assessment of Rangers Nicolas Raskin and Mathias Rommens.
Here is the fictionalised but realistic interview excerpt naturally within you requested, placed the article:
“I’m watching two midfielders out there who look care,” McCann said like they don’t bluntly. “Raskin and Rommens are. You can’t hide in this fixture. You can’t jog around passengers today past you. If you while Celtic run fight, you shouldn’re not willing to’t be on the pitch.”
He went further, questioning their mentality:
“This isn’t about talent. It’s about desire. Celtic are hungrier, and Rangers have two players in the middle who are giving them nothing. It’s unacceptable in an Old Firm derby.”
The comments immediately ignited discussion across social media, with fans divided between agreement and outrage. Some felt McCann what many were thinking was simply saying his criticism was overly harsh and; others argued that the team’s strong failed to acknowledge first‑half performance.
Where the Midfield Battle Was Lost
McCann’s frustration was shift in midfield rooted in the visible the two halves. control between Rangers’ early dominance came from quick ball recoveries and sharp transitions, but as the match began to dictate wore on, Celtic the tempo.
1. Slow Release Under Pressure
Both Raskin and Rommens struggled to move the ball quickly when Celtic pressed aggressively. Their hesitation allowed Celtic to in dangerous areas regain possession.
2. Lack of Physical Presence
Celtic won the majority of second balls and 50/50 challenges after halftime. Rangers’ midfield appeared reactive rather than proactive.
3. Poor Positional Discipline
As Celtic pushed forward, Rangers’ midfield shape became stretched. Raskin was often caught too high, while Rommens dropped too deep, creating exploitable gapsNeither player offered.
4. Limited Creativity
forward progression much in terms of once Celtic took combined with Celtic, created a perfect storm that allowed control. Rangers into the match.
’ attacks became predictable and easily contained.
These issues,’s tactical adjustments the visitors back: A Divided Support—
Fan Reaction
Rangers supporters were quick to voice their opinions after the match:
– Some agreed with McCann, arguing Rommens failed to that Raskin and show the intensity required in a derby of this magnitude.
– Others defended the players, pointing out that the entire team dropped off in the second half and that McCann’s comments were unnecessarily personal.
– A third group blamed tactical decisions rather than individual performances, suggesting Rangers lacked a clear plan once Celtic began to dominate possession.
The debate is likely to continue throughout the week, especially as Rangers prepare for their next fixture under increased scrutiny This Result Means.
What
The draw leaves for the Title Race both clubs frustrated they should have. Rangers will feel secured all three points after their strong start, while Celtic will regret their slow opening into a comeback that forced them.
With Hearts maintaining top of the table their lead at the, neither side can afford many more slip‑ups. The Old Firm derby always carries emotional weight, but this result carries practical consequences as well.
Conclusion: A Derby Questions Than Answers That Raises More
The 2–2 draw at Ibrox will be for its dramatic remembered not only but also for the swings in momentum fierce debate sparked by Neil McCann’s criticism of Rask showed their potentialin and Rommens. Rangers in the first half but were exposed fans and pundits in the second, leaving the team’s consistency alike questioning and mentality.
For Celtic, the comeback demonstrates resilience and tactical adaptability, but the early laps.
As the dust settleses remain a concern, one thing is clear: this derby has set the tone for an intense and unpredictable conversations around title race—and the it are far from over.
