The Rangers 2-2 Celtic – Jekyll and Hyde performance but Celtic still in title race | OneFootball

Well after all that today Celtic is somehow still in the title race. When we reached half time at Ibrox it looked like our title challenge was dead in the water, but yet again we have managed to scrape ourselves off the floor and cling on to our title ambitions by the tips of our fingers…

Celtic players enter a huddle prior to the Scottish Premiership match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on March 01, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

Today we witnessed this entire season in a nutshell. The most quintessential Jekyll and Hyde performance of them all, in a campaign that has been full of them. The first half we were atrocious. Outfought and outthought by theRangers, in an embarrassing 45 minutes that left Ibrox rocking and their fans dreaming of just a second league title in their short history.

Emmanuel Fernandez of Rangers commits a hand ball offence which results in a penalty kick awarded to Celtic during the Scottish Premiership match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on March 01, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

Then out came the other version of Celtic in the second half, full of guts and determination who somehow clawed their way back into the game and became the side most likely to secure all three points before the final whistle got blown.

It left me at full time feeling like I had been emotionally put through the wringer. I felt pride at the way Celtic didn’t go down without a fight, and left with a point when it looked more likely we may have left on the end of a thrashing. I also felt frustrated however, annoyed that we didn’t turn up in the first half.

Reo Hatate of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on March 01, 2026 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

I think today partly affirmed what Luke McCowan was talking about on Thursday. When we turn up we ARE the best team in Scotland. The problem is we don’t turn up enough. We can see that there is still a good team in there somewhere, but it only appears in patches.

If we could consistently turn those patches into 90 minute performances then we could still go on and win this league. If we continue this inconsistency then we can kiss our league title goodbye. I said to a friend earlier that this Celtic side are like Benjamin Nygren except on a larger scale, most of the time anonymous and uninspiring but also capable of looking incredible at certain moments. Those moments need to become more frequent.

Martin O’Neill and Danny Rohl look on during the Scottish Premiership match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on March 01, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

A few things about today I need to mention. I don’t take pleasure in criticising Martin O’Neill but his starting line up was flawed. I was surprised when I saw the starting eleven, and not in a good way. That midfield was weak. One look at the team sheet left me worried we would get overrun in that area. It was too lightweight. It was clear there wouldn’t be enough physicality and so it was proved.

Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlin won’t have played in a game as intense as that in a long long time, and it showed. Junior Adamu played well on Thursday but this was going to be a totally different challenge, and he failed it miserably. After a poor performance out left, Maeda showed he can still be effective as the lone striker, causing theRangers defence multiple problems in the second half.

Reo Hatate of Celtic takes the penalty kick that was saved by Jack Butland of Rangers (not pictured) during the Premiership match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on March 01, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

Although I criticised Martin O’Neill for his starting line up, he made up for it by making some key changes at key times in that second half. Tounekti was much more effective on the wing than Daizen. Sarrachi, McCowan and Forrest all put in good displays when coming on but the man who had the biggest influence off the bench was Reo Hatate.

Much maligned by many Celtic fans this season I admit I questioned his introduction at half time in a game where we clearly needed more fight in midfield.

The Japanese star thankfully proved me wrong by putting in a great shift and played a huge part in turning the game around. All the quality we know he possesses was on show in those 45 minutes. If he can take that form into the latter part of this season he could become one of our most important players.

Sebastian Tounekti of Celtic celebrates his team’s second goal scored by teammate Reo Hatate (not pictured) during the Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox on March 01, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

Today will have provided a blow to theRangers psychologically, it proves that for all that they have improved under Danny Rohl, they are still mentally weak. Martin O’Neill will have found out a lot about his players today and who he can trust. Sort out our starting eleven next week, put the pressure on from the first whistle, get the free Broomloan behind the team and we are more than capable of progressing in the Scottish Cup. What a huge mental boost that would be for the season run in.

Jack Butland of theRangers looks dejected during the Scottish Premiership match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on March 01, 2026.. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

First thing first however will be our trip to Aberdeen on Wednesday. Nothing but three points will do. I feel like I may be saying that a lot before the end of this season.

Conall McGinty

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order

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