Old Firm both win in friendlies

Celtic and Rangers both took good wins in their foreign pre-season friendlies this week, as the Old Firm sides test out their new blood and make the choices that will decide the lineups we see on the first weekend in August when the SPL starts up.

Celtic were south of the border in West London this week to take on Queen’s Park Rangers. It was a battle of the Hoops, as both sides claim that moniker, but in reality was never much of a contest. Celtic are on top of the SPL, with two consecutive league titles, and QPR are a low-tier English Championship side, though one with a rich history of football. In fact, QPR are just slightly older than Celtic, having been founded in 1882, six years before Celtic. Anyway, on to the present day. Andrea Capone got on the right side of his trial bosses at Celtic by opening the scoring with a lovely long-range goal. Jan Vennegor of Hesselink missed an early penalty, but then found his stride and netted a brace. Goals continued to roll in for Celtic, as Scott Brown and Scott McDonald added to the tally. QPR managed a late consolation goal, but Celtic took the friendly in comfortable style, 5-1.

Rangers were in Germany to face amateur side SV Lippstadt in what had to be quite a glamour friendly for the Lippstadt fans. Lee McCulloch scored twice as Rangers took the match 4-2.

In both matches, the newcomers were anxious to show off for their new bosses. Capone is still fighting for a contract with the Hoops, and Brown, McDonald and McCulloch are all new signings. As Scotland manager Alex McLeish today predicted a hard-fought SPL title this coming season, the Old Firm are certainly looking in fine shape to challenge each other. The question is whether another side can do what Hearts did two seasons ago, and break the Old Firm dominance of the league.

Category: Scottish Premier League

Tags: Andrea Capone, Celtic, Jan Vennegor of Hesselink, Lee McCulloch, Old Firm, Pre-season friendlies, Queens Park Rangers, Rangers, Scott Brown, Scott McDonald, Scottish Premier League, SPL, SV Lippstadt

Subscribe   The Offside RSS Feeds

Print

Share