Former Rangers striker Andy Little thinks that Steven Gerrard’s side have scored a major psychological triumph with their most recent victory, believing that a potential fear factor has been eradicated.
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The ‘Gers ended 2019 on a major high after a 2-1 victory in the Glasgow derby at the home of their Premiership title rivals, their first at Parkhead in almost nine years.
The win moved Rangers to within two points of the Hoops at the top of the table and, having lost to their rivals in the Betfred Cup final just three weeks previously, Little believes that the ‘Gers won’t be as fearful of Neil Lennon’s team when they meet again later this season.
He told The Scottish Sun: “If I was a Rangers player I would have viewed it as a massive relief to win at Celtic Park. The players endured the pain of the cup final but they managed to get the win and that will put the final behind them.
“They will have a belief in themselves now and I don’t think they’ll fear Celtic as much going forward. Rangers beat Celtic last December and then again at Ibrox towards the end of the season, but by then the league was over.
“To go to Celtic Park, the hardest venue in the league, off the back of the disappointing result at Hampden, it shows great character. To pick yourself up and to boss the game at times at Parkhead was very impressive.”
Little’s belief that Rangers jumped a massive psychological hurdle with the win at Celtic a few days ago is quite justified.
Gerrard’s team had already lost twice to their Glasgow rivals this season, including a 0-2 defeat at Ibrox in September, and failed to overcome a 10-man Celtic side in the Betfred Cup final.
Therefore, to go to the Hoops’ own backyard and exact revenge for those defeats was an ideal response and, significantly, it is a result which has put them in control of their own destiny in the title race – Rangers may still be two points off the lead but have a game in hand on Lennon’s side.
They have also put an end to an unenviable run at the home of their arch-rivals – prior to the 2-1 win at the end of December, the ‘Gers had not won in their previous 11 visits to Celtic Park, with nine defeats in that time including 4-0 and 5-0 hammerings in 2017/18. [via TransferMarkt]
Indeed, when Rangers had last won away to Celtic in the league in 2010/11, they went on to clinch the Premiership title that season. The Ibrox club have seen their Glasgow rivals hoover up every league title since then, which could well make the recent win all the more satisfying.
Little is right to believe that his former club should have every belief in their ability to end the title drought and ought not to fear their arch-rivals after finally conquering Parkhead to narrow the gap on the Premiership leaders.
Rangers fans, what did you make of Little’s remarks about the win at Parkhead? Comment below with your views!
