Rangers fell to a 2-1 loss to bitter rivals Celtic in a frantic and fast-paced Old Firm derby as Michael Beale failed to win his first piece of silverware in the Govan dugout.
A Kyogo Furuhashi double either side of half-time had Rangers in the doldrums, with fans hearing their local rivals goad and taunt with another trophy seemingly in sight. Alfredo Morelos halved the deficit just after the hour mark and the Light Blues were actually the better side in the final half-hour, but superb defending and a lack of finishing touch from the Gers saw them fail to take the game to extra-time.
They shouldn't be dismayed at their performance; Celtic's top-class first-half on the Hampden turf was by no means Rangers' fault - the Hoops showed their class and experience under Ange Postecoglou. But Beale will feel annoyed that he couldn't taste silverware and will now look to do so in the Scottish Cup unless he can spirit a comeback in the top-flight. Record Sport ranks each Rangers player on their performance at Hampden.
Rangers player ratings
ALLAN McGREGOR: The 41-year-old Ibrox keeper was as agile as ever as he pulled off a terrific save to deny a Jota effort but had no hope as his defence opened up to allow Kyogo two simple tap-ins. 7
JAMES TAVERNIER: Gers skipper looked wary of letting Maeda out of his sight. Did well to rob the ball from the Celtic wideman only to immediately turnover of possession as Celtic pounced for their second. 6
CONNOR GOLDSON: Posted missing from the middle as Celtic picked their moment to up the ante and exploit the spaces in the Rangers backline. Couple of big blocks but not enough to half the Parkhead juggernaut. 6
BEN DAVIES: Former Liverpool defender had to be bailed out by his keeper as he left Kyogo run in behind but there was no reprieve as he failed to anticipate Maeda missing Greg Taylor’s cross, with Kyogo lurking for the opener. 5
BORNA BARISIC: The Croatian has had recurring nightmares at the back post in Old Firm clashes but would be hard to pin the blame on the left-back this time as he scrambled desperately to halt Kyogo scoring the second. 6
JOHN LUNDSTRAM: Back after couple weeks out but never looked comfortable with the turbo-charge pace of play. Had to take a couple of deep breaths during the scrappy opening exchanges but there was no keeping up with Celtic’s midfield once they put the foot down. Booked for clattering Mooy on the touchline. 5
GLEN KAMARA: Got the surprise nod from Beale to start instead of new recruit Nico Raskin but it was the wrong choice from the boss as his engine room was repeatedly flooded with green and white jerseys. Took a booking after diving in on Hatate. 5
MALIK TILLMAN: The Bayern Munich loanee was Gers’ big injury concern this week but and looked a fair bit short of 100 percent despite declaring himself fit. A kid of huge talent but there are times where he’s just a bit too casual for a fixture as frenetic as this. 5
FASHION SAKALA: Had a lot to say in the build up but can have no argument with the fact Celtic were the better team on the day. Might have changed the outcome had he managed to equalise instead of sticking rebound from Kent’s shot into sidenetting. 6
RYAN KENT: McGregor apart, the only man from the Ibrox outfit’s starting XV that can be satisfied with his display as he repeatedly drove at the Hoops defence. So close to an equaliser as his scalped the base of the post. Late yellow for a lunge on Iwata. 7
ALFREDO MORELOS: Put the hard yards in off the ball but could have done more in the first half to provide his team with an outball as they increasingly found themselves pushed back. Tidy close-range finish gave his team hope. 6
Subs:
TODD CANTWELL (FOR LUNDSTRAM, 64): Provided Gers with some energy as they chased in vain for an equaliser. Another to have name take in final moments. 3
RYAN JACK (FOR TILLMAN, 64): Big chance to take the game to extra-time but saw shot blocked after charging into the box. 3
NICO RASKIN (FOR KAMARA, 64): Showed why he should have started the match with a cameo of determination and guile. 4
ANTONIO COLAK (FOR MORELOS, 75): Shown a yellow after some stoppage-time handbags. 2
SCOTT WRIGHT (FOR SAKALA, 84): Could’t provide the late inspiration the Light Blues desperately needed. 2
Substitutes
Nicolas Raskin: Occasion maybe just got the better of him as he failed to exert his usual brilliance. No doubting the youngsters' talents. 6
Todd Cantwell: Much better than Tillman in a like-for-like swap and won a free-kick on the edge that Tavernier should have done better with. Exciting to see how he does after a full pre-season under Michael Beale. 6
Ryan Jack: Kept possession well and replaced Lundstram's fitred legs in midfield. Nothing exceptional but did his job well and almost scored. 6
Antonio Colak: Little time to impress but should have taken a better touch in the 87th minute which surely would have levelled the tie. 5
Scott Wright: Had little time to do anything as Rangers pushed for an equaliser. 3
