Ahead of the highly anticipated clash at Ibrox, Celtic faced significant pressure following their wins against their arch-rivals. The visitors sought to maintain their dominance at the top of the league standings, while a resurgent Rangers, unbeaten under Philippe Clement, aimed to extend their impressive five-game winning streak in the Premiership. However, the tables turned dramatically for the Gers as they not only conceded twice but also ended the game playing with ten men, triggered by Leon Balogun’s dismissal. Skipper James Tavernier’s late goal pulled one back to slightly ease the deficit.
Here’s a breakdown of the Celtic players’ performances:
Joe Hart: 6.5
The goalkeeper made a couple of routine saves early on and was unable to stop Tavernier’s stunning free-kick late in the game.
Alistair Johnston: 7
Received the first booking of the match while contending with Abdallah Sima but managed to maintain composure, offering a presence with timely overlapping runs, crosses, dribbles, and cut-ins.
Stephen Welsh: 6.5
Started in the defense but had to be substituted due to a fitness concern, making way for Maik Nawrocki. He dominated aerial duels before being replaced.
Liam Scales: 7.5
Delivered a resilient performance as the left-sided center-back, showcasing precise blocks, recoveries, and clearances.
Greg Taylor: 7.5
Balanced his game between defense and attack, creating chances with his forward runs and linking up with teammates.
Callum McGregor: 7.5
Orchestrated the game from the midfield, completing the most passes and making crucial recoveries to frustrate the opposition.
Matt O’Riley: 7
Provided an assist for Kyogo Furuhashi’s stellar strike and displayed relentless effort to win possession and carry the ball.
Paulo Bernardo: 8
Found the net with a scintillating volley, securing a timely lead for Celtic before being substituted.
Daizen Maeda: 6.5
Kept the opposition on their toes with his movements and one-twos, drawing a pivotal foul that led to the opponent’s dismissal before being replaced.
Luis Palma: 6.5
Demonstrated creativity from the left but struggled to pose a consistent threat and was substituted.
Kyogo Furuhashi: 8
Continued his remarkable scoring streak with a majestic strike, proving to be the difference once again in the exhilarating encounter before being substituted.
The intricacies of individual player performances reflect a competitive and eventful encounter, ultimately shaping the outcome of the intense match.
