Old Firm game was more proof of what we already knew

Brendan Rodgers

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In the first half they were undoubtedly the better side without really creating lots of clear cut chances.

But, let’s be honest, in the second half against 10 men Celtic were dire. Rangers had a great shape and defended terrifically. They also crucially had an outball in probably the best player on the pitch. Ryan Kent.

But the one thing about Celtic is they never get too down on themselves and, crucially, they keep going until the very end. It took a terrific finish from James Forrest to win the three points and the result all but clinched eight in a row.

But it was a game that Celtic looked like they could lose for long spells after Rangers equalised.

In terms of Neil Lennon’s prospects of getting the Celtic job on a permanent basis, it was a game in my opinion he simply had to win. I don’t think the manner of the win enhanced those prospects. Since he has taken over from Rodgers it has been a bit of a grind, truth be told.

Yesterday was no different but they got the job done. I genuinely think Lennon would be a safe pair of hands for Celtic, guide them to success and the holy grail of 10 in a row. Neil knows the club inside out and has had success in European terms but the performances in general since he has taken over haven’t been good.

Neil Lennon urges Celtic forward as Steven Gerrard watches on

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Forrest’s winning goal has kept alive Lennon’s prospects of being appointed to the job full-time but I don’t sense that he would be the supporters’ first choice.

For Rangers, it was another case of what might have been. Obviously the huge talking point was Alfredo Morelos being sent off for an elbow at Scott Brown which once again crushed the hopes of his team-mates, manager and the Rangers fans.

It seems that the young Colombian simply cannot get to grips with the fact that opposition teams in Scotland will be out to wind him up and test his temperament.

I defended Morelos to the hilt when he reacted to what was a calculated rake down his Achilles by Kilmarnock’s Kirk Broadfoot when the half time whistle went at Ibrox a few weeks ago. But on this occasion a slight nick by Scott Brown was not enough to provoke Morelos swinging a flying elbow.

It was not only a disgraceful reaction but also ultimately a selfish one. He left his team-mates stranded in a horrible situation of – a goal down and a man down away at their greatest rivals.

He also killed a manager who has put his absolute trust in him from the very first minute he got the Rangers job.

It was the fifth red card of the season for Morelos and not once has his manager publicly berated him when he easily could have. Steven Gerrard has protected him at every single opportunity but there comes a time when enough is enough. A fine of a week’s wages for the Colombian is a sign of an exasperated manager who has simply had enough.

That’s not even taking into account the teammates he continues to let down. I will be honest if I had been one of Morelos’s team-mates in the dressing room at Parkhead at half time I would have had at the very least strong words with him.

Alfredo Morelos is sent off

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It’s just not acceptable that he continues to misbehave on the pitch. Quite simply put he needs to growup and quickly. I have no doubt now that Rangers will cash in on Alfredo Morelos in the summer if they can find a willing buyer.

I think a deal will suit all parties. The Rangers fans love him because of the amount of goals he has scored but, let’s be honest, any striker worth their salt who plays week in week out for either Rangers or Celtic should be getting between 20 and 25 goals.

If they can get £8m for him they have to sell him. Alfredo has great potential but his temperament has to be a major issue for any potential buyer. It will lead to a much reduced fee.

Alfredo Morelos is 22 years of age. He is not a kid. It doesn’t seem that he is heeding his managers advice nor the pleas of his team-mates to screw the nut. Rangers need to get as much money for him as they can, thank him and move him on.

AND ANOTHER THING
I was at Rugby Park on Saturday and witnessed a fantastic Kilmarnock performance as they ripped Hamilton Academical apart 5-0. Some of the football played by Steve Clarke’s side was breathtaking.

The job he has done at Kilmarnock on a shoestring budget must put him into the reckoning for the Celtic job this summer. In terms of Scottish candidates he is the absolute stand out.