After dropping points in the league, Rangers fans would have been demanding a response from their team in the Scottish League Cup Final. Steven Gerrard’s side certainly responded, dominating the cup final from start to finish. They created 16 shots to their rival’s five, forcing a Man of the Match performance out of Fraser Forster (BBC). Despite this, the side lost.
Many Rangers fans shared their anger on Twitter. Although they pushed Celtic to the limit, there were a few players who didn’t live up to the fans’ expectations.
But overall they were annoyed at the team’s inability to see the game out when it was quite clearly there for the taking. When one fan defended the team, claiming that they didn’t ‘bottle it’ because of their domination, other fans disagreed. It was the side’s absolute domination that caused them to call their team bottlers in the first place.
Don’t agree. I wouldn’t say they can’t find bottle in the future but there is a pattern of failing to capitalise when in positions to press on and achieve something. Killie in January etc. To have that much control in the game and not even score – to miss the pen – is bottling it
— Rupert DeBoer (@RupertDeBoer) December 9, 2019
Twice in five days they were the dominant side, lost a goal against the run of play and just stopped doing all of the good things that had gotten them into that position.
They then start shelling balls in from all angles. It’s never worked but it’s their go-to when they panic.
— Ted (@NewcoTed) December 9, 2019
Completely disagree. We have a mental block when it comes to them.
— Stevie Jukes (@StevieJukes) December 9, 2019
A free hit from 12 yards and still couldn’t score, Morelos had 9 attempts I believe, he’s had countless chances and still can’t score, I would suggest that’s a mental block, certainly for him .
It’s worrying they have been very average in 2 of games yet we still can’t beat them.
— Stanley Spadowski (@Stanspadowski72) December 9, 2019
Would you define the Rangers loss in the final as 'bottling it'?
Yes
No
Some fans say this isn’t the first time they have seen their side bottle it. It has been the same for the last few seasons.
Until we win something, we’re bottlers in mine and many people’s eyes……. Last 25 against 10 men and couldn’t score is bottling it, same as the 2-3 game a few seasons back……..
— GingerWalloper (@GWalloper) December 9, 2019
Home at Celtic-Played no wingers(bottled)
Away to Hearts-Top of the league for 1 game(bottled)
Away to Aberdeen and can’t keep a 2-0 advantage(bottled)
Cup final against Celtic-dominated possession,corners,shots on target,extra man and even a pen but still bottled it.— TrueBlue72 (@True_Blue_1872) December 9, 2019
What do we think?
Regardless of whether the team bottled it or not, the inability to win the match is objectively the more pressing concern. It is something Rangers will need to figure out quickly. Each match going forward will become increasingly more important. There is still a lot to play for this season, but they must be mentally strong.