PLAYER RATINGS: Odsonne Edouard offered little and missed an absolute sitter for Celtic… but Rangers’ Leon Balogun was rock solid at the back
- Rangers hosted Celtic at Ibrox in the highly anticipated Old Firm derby
- Steven Gerrard’s side came out on top thanks to Filip Helander’s header
- Odsonne Edouard could’ve gave Celtic the lead in first half but he missed a sitter
Rangers came out on top in the first Old Firm derby of the season thanks to Filip Helander’s second half header.
The Sweden international’s towering header in the 66th minute gave Rangers the three points but Celtic could’ve taken the lead in the first half but striker Odsonne Edouard could not convert from close-range.
Sportmail’s John Greechanand Mark Wilson have analysed how players from both sides fared at Ibrox
Steven Gerrard’s Rangers came out on top in a tight Old Firm derby at Ibrox on Sunday
Rangers (4-3-3)
Robby McCrorie 7.0
The 23-year-old had to wait for direct involvement on his derby debut before twice denying Furuhashi after the break.
Leon Balogun 8.0
Ibrox fans harboured concern when they saw him at right-back, but the Nigerian internationalist was a stand-out and timed his challenges superbly.
Connor Goldson 6.5
Couple of positional errors before the break went unpunished. Stronger thereafter like Rangers as a whole.
Filip Helander 7.0
Headed winner capped a fine performance from the Swede, whose reading of the game was essential in delivering three points.
Borna Barisic 6.5
Busy defensively before the break but stuck to his task well. Excellent corner kick delivery for the winner.
Filip Helander’s towering header in the second half secured the win for Rangers
Steven Davis 7.0
Really imposed himself on the game after struggling to get a grip in the opening period when Celtic were given too much space centrally.
Joe Aribo 6.0
Found it tough to link midfield with attack during the first half. Ability to drive with the ball could have been utilised more.
Glen Kamara 6.0
Wasn’t quite as composited as normal during the early stages but grew into the game and kept Rangers on the front foot in second half.
Kemar Roofe 6.0
No shortage of effort from the ex-Anderlecht man but his lack of game-time showed as he wearied before making way for Lundstram.
Alfredo Morelos 6.5
Fired an early snapshot just too high and remained a nuisance to Celtic through his winning of free-kicks. Slipped when given chance to go clear through.
Ryan Kent 6.0
Shifted to a more central role in support of Morelos and Roofe. Clipped the post with first half strike and kept working hard.
Substitutes: John Lundstram (Roofe 74). Fashion Sakala (Morelos 84). Scott Arfield(Kent 89).
Not used: Wright, Hagi, Itten, Bacuna.
Steven Gerrard– 7.0
Okay, he wasn’t there in person, but the Ibrox manager surely influenced the little tweaks that helped his side secure a huge win after Covid-hit preparations
Despite being absent, Steven Gerrard’s shrewd tactics gave Rangers the victory at Ibrox
Celtic (4-3-3)
Joe Hart 6.5
Nothing he could do about the Rangers goal. The odd loose pass trying to play out.
Anthony Ralston 6.5
Celtic’s most effective defender kept Ryan Kent and Borna Barisic quiet. Mostly.
Carl Starfelt 5.5
Has the knack of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Caught underneath Hellander at the goal.
Stephen Welsh 6
Enjoyed physical tussle with Alfredo Morelos. But any centre-half takes share of rap for a set-piece goal.
Josip Juranovic 6
Composed on his Celtic debut. In a derby. But right-footed left backs can’t overlap.
Ryan Christie 6.0
Good first half, less effective after the break. Still likely to divide opinions among Celtic fans.
Callum McGregor 6.5
Heartbeat of this Celtic team is doing a lot of heavy lifting – and covering acres of ground.
David Turnbull 6.0
Heavily involved in Celtic’s best passages of first-half play. Replaced by Rogic after the goal.
Liel Abada 5.5
Really quiet shift on the right wing from the Israeli international, replaced by Montgomery late on.
Odsonne Edouard 5.0
Hardly a fond farewell, if this was to be the French forward’s last game for Celtic. What. A. Miss.
Kyogo Furuhashi 6.0
Obviously a player of quality, he had opportunities to bag a goal and assist – but rushed his chances.
Substitutes:
Ismaila Soro (on for Edouard, 68) 5, Tom Rogic (on for Edouard, 68) 5, Adam Montgomery (on for Abada, 86) 2. Not used: Nir Bitton, Albian Ajeti, Osaze Urhoghidi, Scott Bain.
Ange Postecoglou 5.5
Failure to react to second-half revival by Rangers left Celtic fans wondering if he has a workable Plan B.