Celtic's title hopes are hammered says Gary Stevens

Mar 30 2008 Scott Mcdermott

Rangers Have Nailed It

IBROX legend Gary Stevens reckons Kevin Thomson's winner in the Old Firm derby has killed off Celtic's SPL title bid.

The former Gers right-back - part of Graeme Souness' revolution in the late 80s - was back in Glasgow to watch his old side move a step closer to the championship.

Thomson's goal on the stroke of halftime condemned Gordon Strachan to his fourth straight Old Firm defeat.

Stevens can't see a way back for the Hoops now - and heaped praise on Gers' midfield duo of skipper Barry Ferguson and Ulsterman Steven Davis.

He said: "You would need to be a very pessimistic Rangers supporter not to believe that's it now, the title's won.

"Gers still have to go twice to Celtic Park, which will be difficult. But are they going to lose both matches AND another league game?

"This win is a huge nail in Celtic's coffin. Rangers rode their luck at times but the performance doesn't really matter in games like this one.

"Central midfield was where the game was won and lost, and Davis brilliantly complemented Ferguson, who was my man of the match.

"I had never seen Davis play before and he was excellent.

"The Old Firm derby is just how I remember it - the football hasn't changed. It was frantic and frenetic, and there's never a lot of good football played.

"The big thing for me was how many Scottish players were involved, especially for Rangers.

"Watch the Merseyside derby today and I'm not sure how many Scousers will turn out.

"That makes a huge difference and it has helped Rangers. Ferguson was born near Glasgow and you can almost see his heart pounding during the 90 minutes.

"He puts in that little bit more and is a huge player for Walter Smith."

Stevens felt that weak Celtic lacked a killer instinct in front of goal AND the physical prowess of their Old Firm rivals. Aiden McGeady and Shunsuke Nakamura weren't, he said, suited to the hectic nature of yesterday's clash.

Gary said: "Celtic lacked a bit of luck. They were neat at times but didn't have penetration in the last third. They weren't quite at it and lacked that half a yard.

"You can see Walter has given Rangers that physical edge over Celtic in terms of personnel.

"Stature-wise, Celtic looked weaker. Little McGeady looks very useful to me but has no physical presence.

"I like Nakamura too - he was their most dangerous player but also lacks real strength.

"Aside from the keeper, the centrebacks and Georgios Samaras, Celtic just didn't have that physical power needed for a massive game like that. It makes a big difference if you can get your shoulder or arm across people and actually battle for it."

Stevens, who now works as a physiotherapist, knows just how fickle and cruel football can be at times.

And he's unsure if losing gaffer Strachan can recover from yet another set-back against Smith.

He said: "The pressure is on Gordon. If you're losing the league by a couple of points, it's bad. If you're losing by nine or ten, it's a major problem.

"Strachan's a good manager but it'll be difficult for him now. He can only spend the money he gets and can't compete for the big major players in Europe."