Rangers delivered an exceptional performance against Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup final at Hampden Park, despite ultimately losing 5-4 in a penalty shootout.
Building on the momentum of a spirited 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at Ibrox, the Gers gave their all on the pitch, pushing Celtic to their limits in a thrilling and hard-fought final.
Although Philippe Clement remains winless in six Old Firm clashes, the Rangers manager can take great pride in the effort and determination displayed by his team.
Rangers endured a heartbreaking defeat after battling through numerous challenges and forcing the game to penalties following a dramatic 3-3 draw in extra time.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers acknowledged Rangers’ impressive performance, noting that his team had to show resilience and character to secure the victory.
“I thought Rangers played well in the first half and we had to show heart to come back,” said Rodgers after the game, as quoted by BBC Sports.
“Over the last few weeks Philippe Clement has changed it a bit so it didn’t surprise us. When you’re a big club you want to be on the front foot and press and Rangers did that.”
The loss will undoubtedly sting for Rangers, but signs of progress under Philippe Clement are becoming evident.
Two consecutive high-intensity matches have demonstrated the quality within the squad, showing that the team can compete with top sides when executing their game plan effectively.
Rangers implemented a clear strategy to neutralize Kyogo Furuhashi’s threat, successfully limiting his impact.
They also displayed impressive energy in midfield, maintaining relentless pressure throughout the match. While they capitalized on some opportunities, their decision-making in key moments could still improve.
Clement can now reassure fans that the players are beginning to embrace his system and that the club is moving in the right direction under his guidance.
