Advertisement

Philippe Clement Rangers gaffe picked out as surprising key title moment by Celtic hero

Philippe Clement made a "boo-boo" after the Old Firm draw at Ibrox that has been highlighted as a key moment in the title race.

Celtic secured the title last night after their win over Rangers last weekend meant they were only one game away and they followed that up emphatically by thumping Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. That derby came just five weeks after the previous league meeting which ended 3-3.

Gers had trailed 2-0 and then 3-2 in that one before managing to come back again with Rabbi Matondo's stoppage time stunner securing a point and there was debate about which team that suited most. Clement and his players were celebrating on the pitch post-match and the Belgian later told the media it was a "moral victory" for his men.

But they went on to follow it up with a defeat at Ross County and a draw with Dundee, handing the initiative back to Brendan Rodgers and creating a gap they ultimately couldn't recover from. Peter Grant saw the Ibrox aftermath as a key moment.

Asked for anything that stood out for him as an important moment, he told Go Radio: "Something that didn't involve Celtic. When they played the 3-3 game, I thought Philippe Clement made his first boo-boo as the manager. I've been really impressed with him the way he's got the team galvanised but when you celebrate moral victories...you've got be careful of that in Glasgow.

"The punters yeah, get sucked into that if you want. Up celebrating and saying it was 3-3. Remember it's a home game and you've dropped points against your rival who nine times out of 10 would take a point away from home. Celtic left the park disappointed and I thought that was his first boo-boo.

"I said afterwards 'that could come back to haunt him.' And sure as fate, what happens? Not what I expected, the Ross County results comes up and the Dundee result comes next These are wee moments that give you a lift. And Celtic still had their moments when it wasn't going swimmingly."