The blueprint for a Celtic victory in Sunday’s Scottish Cup quarter-final against Rangers at Ibrox has come from an unlikely source, with former Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson pointing to the moment the Ibrox crowd fell silent as Celtic began to take control of last weekend’s derby.
Ferguson’s observation was rooted in what he witnessed during the second half of the 2-2 draw. Rangers had raced into a two-goal lead by the break, with the Ibrox atmosphere feeding off a frantic first half that suited Rohl’s side perfectly. But once Celtic began to settle on the ball after the interval, Ferguson noticed an immediate shift in the crowd, with the home support becoming nervous and quiet as the momentum swung away from Rangers.
The question for Martin O’Neill is how Celtic approach the rematch. James McFadden, speaking on Open Goal alongside Ferguson and Paul Slane, was clear on the subject. Celtic need to play rather than go direct. He argued that unless Rangers push their defensive line high and invite Celtic to go in behind, there is little point looking for long balls to Daizen Maeda or any other forward who lacks the physical presence to hold play up or compete in the air. The game has to be built through possession.
Ferguson’s remarks sit neatly alongside that view. The moment Celtic started circulating the ball and controlling territory, the energy inside Ibrox changed, and that is the environment Celtic need to recreate from as early in the game as possible.
The passing statistics from last weekend reinforce the argument. Celtic attempted 185 passes in a chaotic first half and 244 in the second. Their possession rose from 51 per cent to 58 per cent after the break, and their entries into the final third increased from 19 to 26. The data paints a clear picture of a team that performs better when they slow the game down and impose their own rhythm rather than being dragged into a frantic, high-tempo contest.
If the Celtic that showed up in the second half at Ibrox last week arrives from the first whistle on Sunday, a Hampden semi-final awaits.