FOR seven minutes of the scheduled 90 at Ibrox yesterday, Rangers rose to the occasion.

Celtic’s shellshock in the centre of the Old Firm colosseum mirrored February’s 3-0 reverse at Parkhead, when the hosts’ brave and effective high press stunted the visitors. Marking up man for man and taking the risk of leaving exploitable space, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side regularly reclaimed possession in promising areas and started on the front foot, playing with the urgency their league position required.

During the intensity of those opening minutes, in which players vindicated fans who have constantly defended their ability to deliver under pressure, the game’s eventual outcome felt so far away.

That’s why of all the details that vex supporters today, the premature ending of their performance will be of paramount frustration. As the title was surely decided, one team stuck to their principles and matched dogmatism with complete commitment while the other saw control gradually spiral and were left flinging endless and aimless crosses into the penalty box.

Unlike the defeat in Glasgow’s East End two months ago, there were no systemic tactical issues, few could argue van Bronckhorst ‘got it wrong’.

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Aaron Ramsey had the ball in the net inside three minutes after a surging run into the box was precisely picked out by Ryan Kent. The Welshman, brought to the club to score goals of this style in matches of this significance, finished smartly as his side swarmed their rivals. Performing with an ambitious attacking approach that left space in abundance, Celtic appeared blunted even if the balls they lost in dangerous areas thereafter were left unpunished.

They did create dangerous wide overloads in moments with both teams intent on going forwards. However, their goals did not derive from moments of tactical ingenuity or undisputed outplaying. Rather, Callum McGregor’s open door through the midfield prompted the affording of three shots, the latter of which was scored by Tom Rogic, before his team again capitalised on a loose ball minutes before the interval as Cameron Carter-Vickers scored the eventual winner.  Rangers were outfought rather than outsmarted in those defining moments. As a result, the noise and momentum whipped up by the crowd gradually dissipated and previously open spaces were closed as the visitors sought to protect their lead.

The game at this point was resemblant of a 2-1 defeat to Malmo back in August when, having gone ahead using the energy of the crowd, Rangers shrunk into a reserved second-half showing that never truly threatened to turn the game. Given that so much of their game plan appeared to centre on the space Celtic would leave, when attacking from a losing position the hosts lacked routines and rhythms to create clear opportunities. The now absent celebratory atmosphere lingered in the air, an unwelcome reminder of the early game expectation.  Camped around the penalty box with only crosses left in their attacking arsenal, the need for a protagonist was paramount. Here was the opportunity to turn the title race and redefine the narrative, just as was the case against Malmo under Gerrard with the same group of players, nobody stepped forward as the willing candidate. Passes were safe and lacked the element of risk required to break down a deep defence. The urgency of the first half had gone and was not coming back.

Having been six points clear at Christmas, and now six points behind in April, questions surrounding the squad’s mentality are justified. Perhaps the issue is not so much rising to the occasion but seizing the moment. Just as last season’s cup exits stopped an Invincible season from being truly historic, and a man and goal advantage still didn’t stop a second-half collapse in the Champions League qualifier last August. Members in this squad have had the opportunity to become true greats at the club and, unless miracles are forthcoming in Europe and domestically, many could leave in the summer without the silverware their general contributions generally merit.

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Yesterday, the opening periods clearly demonstrated the tactical vulnerabilities of Ange Postecoglou’s system and his side was shown to be beatable, while van Bronckhorst’s high-pressing approach provided players with the platform they needed to win.

However, Rangers failed to grasp the opportunity and played out the second half with more caution than conviction. Now, this squad risks that narrative becoming the defining story of their Ibrox careers.