Former Rangers defender Alan Hutton has delivered a blunt assessment of his old club’s recent Old Firm performance, describing their dramatic second-half drop-off against Celtic F.C. as “alarming.”
Rangers had looked firmly in control during the first half at Ibrox, racing into a two-goal lead through Youssef Chermiti and dominating large spells of the opening 45 minutes. Under head coach Danny Rohl, the hosts appeared organised, aggressive and sharp in transition.
But the script flipped after the interval.
Celtic, managed by Martin O’Neill, emerged with renewed purpose and tactical adjustments that shifted the momentum. Goals from Kieran Tierney and Reo Hatate pulled the visitors level, forcing Rangers to settle for a 2-2 draw in a contest that had once looked comfortably in their grasp.
First-Half Control, Second-Half Collapse
Speaking on Premier Sports’ Scottish Football Social Club, Hutton admitted he was impressed by Rangers’ initial dominance but deeply concerned by their inability to respond to Celtic’s changes.
“I thought they overran them in the first half, and everything was looking good,” Hutton said. “But fair play to Celtic in what they’ve done. They understand their problems, make changes at half-time. Rangers don’t react to it.”
That tactical contrast proved decisive.
Celtic began to win second balls, control possession and dictate the tempo. The aggressive press and sharp movement that had characterised Rangers’ first-half performance faded. According to Hutton, the warning signs were evident early in the second half.
“They stopped getting those second balls. The momentum swung. Everybody says Rangers were terrible in the second half,” he added.
In derby football, momentum is often everything. Once Celtic gained belief, Rangers appeared hesitant — a shift that Hutton believes may have stemmed from nerves.
“From this moment on, I don’t know if it was a nervousness that came into Rangers’ play or whatever, but I just felt they just let it go in that second half. The drop was quite stark and alarming.”
Psychological Question Marks
The nature of Rangers’ drop-off has sparked debate among supporters and pundits alike. Was it fatigue? Tactical inflexibility? Or a mental block when protecting a lead against their fiercest rivals?
Rohl has received widespread praise for his work this season, instilling structure and resilience into the side. However, Sunday’s collapse has raised fresh questions about whether Rangers can manage high-pressure moments in elite contests.
Allowing Celtic back into the game after such a commanding start will sting — particularly with another derby looming this weekend.
Quick Rematch Raises Stakes
There is little time for reflection. Rangers and Celtic meet again at Ibrox in a Scottish Cup quarter-final clash, with a place at Hampden Park on the line.
If anything, the rematch intensifies scrutiny on Rohl’s side. Can they maintain intensity for 90 minutes? Will they adapt more effectively if Celtic shift tactics again? And perhaps most importantly, can they handle the psychological swings that define Old Firm encounters?
Celtic, meanwhile, must first navigate a tricky Premiership trip to Aberdeen at Pittodrie before turning their focus back to Ibrox. That midweek fixture, previously postponed following a late pitch inspection, adds another layer of intrigue to an already congested schedule.
Fine Margins in the Old Firm
Old Firm derbies are rarely decided solely by quality. Composure, concentration and adaptability often separate victory from disappointment.
Rangers demonstrated in the first half that they possess the tools to hurt Celtic. Their pressing, physicality and directness caused problems. But the second-half fade-out exposed vulnerabilities that cannot be ignored.
For Hutton, the concern lies not in the draw itself, but in how it unfolded.
To dominate for 45 minutes and then relinquish control so dramatically is, in his words, “alarming.” With another high-stakes clash days away, Rangers must prove that the second-half slump was an anomaly — not a pattern.
If they fail to do so, Celtic may once again seize the momentum when it matters most.