Celtic player ratings vs Rangers as Hoops flop in Premier Sports Cup on day of calamitous derby performances

Celtic crashed out of the Premier Sports Cup after a wretched 3-0 quarter-final loss to rivals Rangers at Ibrox.

Liam Scaled had to clear a home effort off the line before Dan Neil’’s opener. Kevin Kelsy doubled the Rangers advantage after the break with Celtic suffering an ill-timed poor afternoon all over the pitch. Neil’s second ended the game and the Premiership champions are next in action on Thursday as their league phase campaign in the Europa League begins against Ferencvaros of Hungary.

The Hoops made a nervy start with no away fans behind them due to fan trouble at the Scottish quarter-final in March. Misplaced passes allowed Rangers chances at goal, and none more so than Kelsy’s blast wide, when he ought to have hit the target after on-loan Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone gifted the striker a strike inside his box.

Camilo Duran missed Celtic’s first chance at the other end as he dragged an effort wide but Johnstone was again culpable when flapping at a cross. Kim Min-su’s effort had to diverted off the line by Scales as what looked like a Rangers 4-4-2 turned into what appeared as 3-5-2, matching the Hoops in midfield, and it looked to be catching them out. One of those midfield men, Neil, broke the deadlock when Celtic failed to close him down on the edge of the box and he dispatched low.

Rangers had deserved it with O’Neill’s side looking dazed and never really getting to grips with their opponents at all in the first half. Min-su forced Johnstone into a good save after half-time but nothing could be done as the ball broke to Kelsy inside the box soon after. He dispatched into the bottom corner as Celtic chances of winning the League Cup evaporated. Neil curled a winner into the top corner as a tin lid was put on a day to forget in a hurry. Here’s how we rated the Hoops players.

Sam Johnstone - 3/10

Wolves loanee looked all over the place early on with a couple errors he was lucky to get away with. Good save from Min-su but not commanding all afternoon. Conceded three.

Colby Donovan - 4/10

Some nice attacking contributions but Djeidi Gassama’s pace was an issue and booked because of it. Second strike comes down his side.

Cameron Carter-Vickers - 5/10

Has to do better at goal, slow on ball, then outmuscled. Fought and scrapped on first balls but overwhelmed.

Liam Scales - 6/10

Key intervention early on but didn’t engage Rangers when proceeding on goal. Did a lot of decent battling. Bar not high but probably best of the lot.

Kieran Tierney - 5/10

Tried to get up the pitch but left penned in. Leaves Kelsy spare at the back post at second goal.

Callum McGregor - 4/10

Skipper dispossessed on a couple occasions. Little command of the midfield but still most active on the ball in that area.

Mika Baur - 3/10

Summer signing was far too deep for Neil’s goal and overran by Rangers. Seemed to get caught up in the occasion and those in blue swarmed him.

Benjamin Nygren - 3/10

Booked. Needed to show more that goalscoring prowess as Light Blues dominated the middle. Nothing came off for him and subbed.

Sebastian Tounekti - 3/10

Major show of faith from O’Neill but didn’t offer a lot and subbed at half-time. Big chance up in smoke.

Kasper Hogh - 3/10

Big money import breaking through on goal and falling over his own feet summed up his poor afternoon.

Camillo Duran - 5/10

Looked most likely with some nice runs but looks far better through the middle. O’Neill has a big decision to make over his number nine.

Hasseim Hassan - 5/10

Instantly looked like a pacy outball and did break forward a couple times. Wasn’t utilised often enough. Some will wonder why he was on the bench.

James Forrest - 3/10

Brought on at 2-0 to try and calm troubled waters.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 3/10

Another subbed in to try and steady the ship.

Shim Mheuka - N/A

Hard to judge him with game all but gone.

Same for the full-back.

The Scottish Football Social Club is presented by BetSBK.com | 18+ | Gamble Responsibly