Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Graeme McGarry

How Celtic rated as champions dig deep to maintain lead over Rangers

Joe Hart: Bad error almost allowed Rangers back into the game when clearance blocked by Morelos, but redeemed himself by tipping follow-up effort from Kent onto the post. That was a spark for Rangers though, who weren’t in the game to that point. 5

Alistair Johnston: Surprise debut for the right-back but handled the occasion well. Tidy on the ball, linking up well with Forrest in first half, and unruffled defensively for most part. Might have got closer to Kent at equaliser. 6

Cameron Carter-Vickers: Had the cigars out in the first half as he dominated Morelos and stepped up in a more difficult second half for his team. Huge block on Tillman at 2-1 down. 7

Carl Starfelt: Had defended cross balls well in the first half, but was rash as he dived in on Sakala to give Rangers a soft penalty to take the lead. 5

Greg Taylor: Picked up an injury early on while contesting a high ball at the back post with Fashion Sakala and had to be replaced by Juranovic. 4

Callum McGregor: Celtic captain was instrumental in a dominant opening half an hour as he controlled the tempo of the game, but his influence waned as Rangers grasped the initiative after the break. 6

Reo Hatate: Flashes of his quality here and there, but not really involvwed often enough. Was replaced for final 15 by Giakoumakis. 5

Matt O’Riley: Midfielder looked jaded, failing to stamp his authority on the game and playing on the periphery, even when Celtic were on top. Replaced by Mooy on the hour. 4

James Forrest: Another surprise inclusion on the right, where his experience was preferred to the energy of Liel Abada. Not his most effective afternoon, and also hooked on the hour. 5

Daizen Maeda: Took advantage of woefully poor defending from Rangers to continue his fine post-World Cup form with a well-taken early opener. Constant menace to Tavernier and Celtic’s best player on the day. 8

Kyogo: Barely involved in the contest at all until gobbling up the late chance that fell his way to get his first goal against Rangers, and a vital equaliser to maintain Celtic’s nine-point advantage. 6

Substitutes

Josip Juranovic: On early for Taylor at left-back and had a nightmare. Careless in possession, caught wrong side of Sakala for Rangers equaliser, and skinned by Sakala again in move that led to penalty. 3

Aaron Mooy: Can feel hard done by not to have started, and played a part in late Celtic equaliser.

Liel Abada: Has had joy in the past against Rangers but not here.

Jota:  On for last 15 and looked brighter than of late.

Giorgos Giakoumakis: His presence was enough to unsettle Rangers for equaliser.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.