Source: TheGuardian
Celtic fans fear Steven Gerrard’s Rangers can end their supremacy | Ewan Murray
The Liverpool legend has given his side hope and is looking for his first trophy as a manager in the Scottish League Cup finalIt would be natural for Celtic supporters to have spent recent days in a state of apprehension. For the prospect of their domestic dominance being halted by their Old Firm rivals Rangers is galling. Were Aberdeen, Dundee United or Motherwell to end Celtic’s consecutive trophy haul, which currently stands at nine, there would be joy for the underdog and widespread shock. If Rangers break the spell, the mutual impact would be considerable. For all that Celtic should be the favourites heading into Sunday’s Scottish League Cup final, a Hampden Park showpiece likely to be more intense, and bitter, than most knockout football supplies no guarantees.This cup competition, often derided as Scotland’s poor relation, has thrown up a first Old Firm final since 2011. That Kilmarnock, St Mirren and Ross County have lifted the trophy during intervening years subtly emphasises the opportunity presented by Rangers’ demise. Yet those in Scottish football high office, sometimes quite blatantly, care little for fairy stories; this is the final they crave. Nonsense such as the sadly inevitable sectarianism will be ignored. Related: Steven Gerrard: ‘If I text, call or see him, Jürgen’s always got time for me’ Continue reading......read full article
