In any game, scoring first can be the difference and when Rangers take on Celtic at Parkhead this weekend, it could decide the title.
Philippe Clement will want to avoid a repeat of the last two derbies where he saw his side go two goals down, but he can’t set his team up to go all out from the first whistle.
Rangers will need to be tighter in defence than they have been in recent games with Celtic and there is a reason why scoring first is so important.
Why Rangers need to score first against Celtic
The last time that Rangers went behind in an Old Firm derby and emerged victorious was 2022.
The Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden under Giovanni van Bronckhorst had seen Celtic score first despite being outplayed, even then, it took extra-time to seal the win.
Since Rangers won the league in 2020/21, only once has a derby been won by a team coming from behind.
At Ibrox in April 2022, Rangers needed a win to have any chance of retaining the title and started brightly when Aaron Ramsey opened the scoring.
The lead, and optimism, lasted just four minutes until Tom Rogic equalised.
The first goal is crucial.
It might have been a dead rubber, but Todd Cantwell’s early strike last April set Rangers up on the front foot, a point made by the Rangers Review’s Joshua Barrie to Sky Sports.
The tempo from the first whistle, in and out of possession, was a marked difference from what we had seen before.
Why Michael Beale played it so safely in the first derby at Ibrox this season continues to baffle.
Clement needs his players to lend a helping hand
Under Philippe Clement, what we have learned is that he can right wrongs.
He can get a reaction from his players when it seems as if all is lost.
Rangers could easily have drawn at Parkhead and missed chances to do so.
At Ibrox recently, the second half saw a 3-1 swing in the home side’s favour.
Celtic can be got at, that much is clear.
With no away fans in the crowd, should Rangers score first, the atmosphere could become very interesting.
They know that a win all but seals the league, but lose, and it’s very much game on.
It doesn’t have to be a perfect performance.
Defensive mistakes need to be eliminated because they have cost Clement and Rangers dear.
Not just in the last few weeks, but over the last couple of seasons.
Statistics can be manipulated to suit almost any agenda.
This one can’t.
Score first and Rangers have a chance.
Don’t, and the league is all but over.
