There are ways to lose derby matches and today’s clash at Celtic Park was one of the worst.
Rangers roared into a 2-0 lead before half-time thanks to goals from Nico Raskin and Mohamed Diomande as Celtic struggled to come to grips with the frenetic pace their rivals were playing at.
Raskin, the smallest player on the pitch, somehow won a header from a corner to open the scoring and the Hoops defence was all over the place for Diomande’s strike into the far corner beyond Kasper Schmeichel.
It was so poor and would have certainly merited a Brendan Rodgers rocket at the break.
Daizen Maeda headed home to reduce the deficit before Reo Hatate netted with a slick finish to make it 2-2 and provide Celts with what they thought would be the impetus to go on as the more likely side to win the game.
It was the opposite, however, as Gers sub Hamza Igamane lashed in a late winner to seal three points.
67 Hail Hail takes a look at the player ratings as Celtic’s 5/10s were simply not good enough.
Celtic player ratings vs Rangers
Kasper Schmeichel – 6
Was lucky to avoid conceding another goal to Vaclav Cerny when his awful pass was cut out. Had no chance with either goal.
Alistair Johnston – 5
Always driving down the right-hand side but his floated passes forward didn’t always quite suit. Did have a hand in Maeda’s goal as he played in Jota but was penned back more often than he and the team would have liked. Fell when looking to defend Hamza Igamane’s winner. Missed a late sitter.
Cameron Carter-Vickers – 5
Wasn’t his best game at the back for Celtic. Even seemed a wee bit nervous at times in defence as Rangers pushed him.
Maik Nawrocki – 6
Should have scored with a free header at 2-0 down. His lack of experience with CCV also played a part in Gers’ second goal as the gap between them was too wide. Had a decent game considering he was thrown in at the deep end.
Jeffrey Schlupp – 6
His first taste of the derby and he did well enough on the left-hand side. Was a calm head at times when Celtic needed one. Good long-range effort was kept out by Butland and he worked well with Daizen after Celtic’s changes.
Arne Engels – 5
Was asked to play the Callum McGregor role in a more defensive spot but it was clear early that’s not his natural game. Was casual at times and lost possession more than once. Also dilly-dallied whenever he did get forward.
Reo Hatate – 7
Wicked effort was well kept out by Butland and he tried to get the team going forward more often than not. Was rewarded for his attacking attempts with a fine finish to level.
Luke McCowan – 6
His desire couldn’t be questioned and he hassled his opponents throughout. A superb assist to find Hatate for the equaliser. Close to a goal of his own as a shot trickled just wide.
Jota – 7
Superb effort from range before the break sailed inches wide. His trickery kept Rangers on their toes and it was his cross which teed up Maeda to cut the deficit.
Nicolas Kuhn – 5
Had very little impact on the first-half and that was summed up by a free-kick he took from outside the area which was bafflingly floated straight out of the pitch.
Daizen Maeda – 7
Had a header cleared off the line in the first-half but wasn’t to be denied in the second after he was moved out to the left. Terrific leap for the goal.
Adam Idah (sub) – 4
Put himself about but didn’t really have much of the ball.
Yang (sub) – N/A
Didn’t get a kick.
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