Hotline Live Debates Rangers’ Wild Celebrations at Parkhead
Rangers’ exuberant celebrations after their 3-2 victory over Celtic at Parkhead have sparked debate, with opinions split over whether they went too far. Michael Gannon, speaking on Hotline Live, supported Chris Sutton’s view that the post-match scenes highlighted why Rangers aren’t “trophy winners” like their rivals.
Gannon, a Record Sport columnist, acknowledged that while the celebrations were emotional given Rangers’ challenging season and the presence of thousands of away fans at Parkhead for the first time in years, he questioned whether the response was excessive. Hamza Igamane’s late winner secured Rangers’ first away derby victory in five years, making it a moment of relief and joy for Barry Ferguson and his team. However, Sutton suggested on social media that true trophy-winning sides wouldn’t celebrate in such a manner.
Gannon reflected on this sentiment, stating: “I don’t think they went over the top. They’ve had a tough season. Their European campaign gave them some joy, but they’ve been battered domestically. The fans finally returned to Parkhead in numbers, and that brought a sense of relief and happiness.”
He added, however, that despite the emotional high, Rangers’ overall season has been disappointing. “These are the same fans who were calling for heads after defeats to Motherwell and Queen’s Park. It’s a bit rich given the league is gone and the cups have slipped away. But a late winner in a derby is something to enjoy, and the fans got caught up in the moment.”
Gannon acknowledged Sutton’s point, emphasizing that if Rangers had the mentality of consistent winners, their response would have been more composed. “If you’re a trophy-winning team, you take the applause and walk off. The mindset should be: ‘We’ve got Celtic’s number, but we’re still 13 points behind them. How did we let that happen?’ They should be asking themselves that.”
He further noted that even if Rangers were to win the next derby at Ibrox and beat Celtic three times this season, they could still finish 10 points adrift in the league. “That’s something they should be reflecting on. The emotion of the moment is understandable, but it should have been quickly followed by a sense of regret over what they’ve failed to achieve this season.”
