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Will Lancaster

Kenny Miller in Celtic climbdown as Rangers hero admits he hasn't given Ange Postecoglou’s game 'enough credit'

Kenny Miller has made a u-turn in his criticism of Rangers after analysing Saturday's derby day defeat to Celtic - by admitting he hasn't given the Hoops enough credit for their pressing ability.

Celtic's second and third goals against the Light Blues over the Easter weekend came through defensive blunders after exceptional closing down. Kyogo's second in his brace was a result of Ben Davies being put under pressure on his own goal line, and moments later Jota harried John Souttar into a poor back pass before beating veteran Allan McGregor in a foot race and sliding home to send Celtic Park delirious.

Much has been made of Rangers' performance over the weekend, with many being divided in their opinions of Michael Beale's men. A key figure who has been praising the Ibrox outfit is Miller, who claimed earlier this week that Rangers only needed '3 or 4' players over the summer in terms of the missing ingredients for a top side.

But the former striker - one of only a handful to have crossed the divide - accepts that he thought Rangers could've been better, though he has come to realise that instead Celtic's pressing game was the difference, labelling it as 'unbelievable'. Miller told Go Radio: "Rangers need to be more decisive when they get that, because the opportunities were there - they just never took them.

"You think when Aaron Mooy, who I think was a little bit off his top level, had a misplaced pass early on and Ryan Kent took it early. He had a big opportunity to run at [Cameron] Carter-Vickers with [Alfredo] Morelos and [Todd] Cantwell alongside him, but eventually he turns around and it comes to nothing.

"Then, they've just scored to make it 3-2, he gets another really good chance and goes again. He's right at the heart of that Celtic team, he slides it to Morelos and you're thinking 'pull the trigger!'. He turned around, it came to nothing. In those moments, you need to be getting an end product or a shot on goal or at least driving at somebody. The moments are there. They have the players to make the most of those moments but unfortunately for Rangers at the weekend, they never took them.

"And when Celtic saw mistakes? Kyogo, ruthless. Jota, working ever so hard. He didn't give up on a lost cause and he got his reward. Celtic made the most of their time. They get a lot of credit for the way they play, but see the way they set up against the ball as well, John? It's unbelievable how hard they worked to go and stop Rangers.

"I thought Rangers could have been better on the ball, but maybe I wasn't giving Celtic enough credit for how they set up also. The two of them actually play pretty similar off the ball - really hard-working and try and force turnovers high up the pitch. I think it gets overlooked, a bit."

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