Four things we learned as Celtic and Rangers draw a blank for the first time since 2017

Add as preferred source on Google

Celtic were unable to find a winner against Rangers as the two sides played out a goalless draw.

A number of Celtic stars underperformed at Ibrox as Brendan Rodgers opted to hand Michel-Ange Balikwisha an immediate debut.

It took until the 60th minute for the Hoops to even register a shot on target and it will be a performance that certainly leaves more questions than answers.

So, with that, here are four things 67 Hail Hail learned from Celtic’s goalless draw vs Rangers.

• READ MORE: ‘I don’t know where he is’ – Celtic told £3.5m signing has ‘fallen out of the sky’ 

Take a bow Cameron Carter-Vickers

Let’s start with the positive: Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Easily the best defender at the club and the best since Virgil van Dijk was playing for the Bhoys.

The American stood out from everyone else in a low-quality Glasgow derby affair. Keeping him will be one of the Hoops’ biggest wins of the transfer window, and he is the most important player in the team.

Celtic miss Alistair Johnston

Because Alistair Johnston is out until November, the man selected to fill the right-back slot is Anthony Ralston.

What is abundantly clear though is how much Celtic miss Johnston. Not only does his courage and leadership shine throughout the side; his lung-bursting runs forward offer an extra dimension to the attack.

Ralston was spotted taking painkillers against Kairat Almaty and looked a yard off the pace throughout. Improvement is required.

Celtic really need a striker

Adam Idah was left out of the squad ahead of his pending move to Swansea City and although Rodgers has said that Idah won’t leave until a replacement is found, they really need to get someone in.

Daizen Maeda is much more effective out wide and both of Shin Yamada and Johnny Kenny don’t seem like first-choice candidates for the role.

Kasper Dolberg has been in talks with the Hoops and this may be the sign to get this one over the line.

Why aren’t Celtic being more brave?

For the first time since 2018, Celtic went the entire first half without having a shot. The long trip from Almaty shouldn’t be used as an excuse to justify the lack of opportunities.

The Hoops have more than enough creativity and firepower in the squad, but seem like they’ve lost their spark in all senses.

Both wingers looked scared to take on their full-backs, despite Rangers’ defensive frailties heading into the game and for large portions, it looked like they were afraid.