Silverware may slip through Rangers’ hands again this season but at least the blue side of Glasgow is home to plenty of bragging rights.
Just weeks after suffering Hampden Park heartbreak, Philippe Clement’s Rangers took revenge on Old Firm rivals Celtic with a thumping 3-0 win every inch as dominant and one-sided as the scoreline suggests.
But it is not only The Gers’ senior stars – Ianis Hagi, Robin Propper and Danilo scoring while Nico Raskin produced an ‘outstanding’ display at a jubilant Ibrox – who can revel in getting one over on those in green across the city.
Back in December, Rangers’ B team defeated Celtic 3-2 in a thrilling, rescheduled Glasgow Cup final.
Less than a month later, lightning would strike twice for David McCallum’s side. A 3-1 victory this time, secured thanks to finishes from Findlay Curtis, Blaine McClure and the always impressive Zak Lovelace.
Lovelace scored the winner as Rangers’ reserves grabbed themselves a trophy only a few weeks ago. He would haunt Celtic dreams again in early January, starting 2025 as he ended 2024 with a goal against those Glasgow neighbours.
Zak Lovelace hailed as Rangers defeat Celtic B in Glasgow Cup again
“Our preparation wasn’t great during the week due to the weather,” B team assistant coach Malky Thomson explains, Rangers powering through the sleet and the rain to ensure a third successive victory over Celtic at first-team and reserve level.
“But I think what is good for the boys is that they’ve come off the back of beating Celtic in the Glasgow Cup, and to go back out and get another result is good. It wasn’t our best display of football, but they got the job done and every one of them contributed to the team.
“When we set the team up there are players who can certainly change a game.
“The goals that we scored, and the timing of the third goal that we scored through Zak, was brilliant. Zak’s always going to be a threat. He has that in his locker with his sheer pace and power.
“I’m really pleased in the way that the guys approached the game considering the fact our preparation was mainly in indoors, but the boys went out and played for each other which was massive.”
After Findlay Curtis opened the scoring, he would turn provider as he assisted Lovelace’s close-range volley. A goal from 17-year-old Blaine McClure – making his first competitive start for Rangers’ B team – was another plus on a night full of positives.
David McCallum and Malky Thomson laud Rangers kids as Lovelace shines
“There is a maturity in the players now,” Thomson adds. “At the start of the season we completed pre-season and everyone was finding their feet.
“But what we saw [on Tuesday night] was some really solid performances in terms of that maturity and handling the fact that Celtic, especially in the second-half, were playing some good football against us. We were always in control of defending those chances that they created.
“We’re well aware of what it takes to be a Rangers player and you need to have that winning mentality.
“But you need to get the wins and those wins give you the confidence and the belief that you’re part of a winning side that can handle the pressure placed on you.”
The London-born Lovelace, capped by England at Under-17 level, has made three senior league appearances since joining Rangers from Millwall.
More will surely be on the way soon enough, Lovelace threatening to outgrow youth team football pretty rapidly.
McCallum, speaking last month, highlighted the teenager’s fearsome combination of speed, movement and killer instinct, Lovelace a Swiss army knife off a forward capable of wreaking havoc in a variety of ways.
“He is a goal threat. He’s got a presence. He’s a finisher,” McCallum said. “He’s got a strength that he can run against the back line, which causes threats and causes problems. So he’s got a mixed variety of how he can impact the game.”
