Rangers player ratings vs Celtic: Rohl in 26-year first with title officially gone as woeful 2/10 epitomises post-split decline
Here’s how we rated the Rangers starting XI and subs in their 3-1 Old Firm defeat against Celtic at Parkhead
Rangers shocking post-split decline continued as they slumped to a 3-1 defeat against Celtic in a compelling sixth and final Old Firm derby of the season at Parkhead.
Head coach Danny Rohl becomes the first Light Blues manager since Dick Advocaat in 2000 to lose three consecutive derby games as a sensational second half overhead kick from Daizen Maeda propelled their city rivals back within a point of Premiership table-toppers Hearts with two games remaining.
The home side trailed to Mikey Moore’s early opener but were back on level terms before half-time when Yang Hyun-jun swept home a clever cutback. Maeda turned the game on its head with a neat finish beyond Jack Butland as the defending champions hit the front after 53 minutes. A moment of sheer quality from the Japanese forward saw him hook the ball over his shoulder into the top left-hand corner of the net to seal an impressive comeback victory.
Rangers - without crocked trio Nicolas Raskin, John Souttar and Ryan Naderi due to muscle injuries - must now accept their season is done and dusted with two rounds of fixtures still to fulfil. It’s a third season without silverware in their last four campaigns for the Light Blues as their faint title hopes were officially binned.
Three important post-split ‘cup finals’ as Rohl labelled them have yielded three defeats. It’s a sorry state of affairs for Rangers and questions will continued to be asked of the team’s mentality after failing to muster up a second half response to Maeda’s brace.
Substitute Bojan Miovski threatened a late fightback but his header rattled the woodwork to sum up the story of Rangers season - close but not good enough.
It wasn’t so long ago when the Ibrox club had briefly moved top of the table for 24 hours. Now, they can no longer finish any higher than third spot. They must lift themselves off the canvas when they host Hibs at Ibrox in their penultimate league game within nothing at stake other than pride.
Here’s how we rated the Rangers players:
GK: Jack Butland - 5/10
Unconvincing early stop from Engels long-range effort. Beaten by Yang’s low finish and had no chance of keeping out both of Maeda’s second half strikes, including a overhead kick which left him rooted to the spot. Blushes spared as Maeda skewed a late effort wide in his hat-trick bid. Decent save from McCowan.
RB: James Tavernier - 3/10
Making his 46th and final Old Firm appearance. Defensively suspect and didn’t pose much of a threat from set-piece deliveries. Allowed Tierney in behind far too easily for Celtic’s second goal. Sarcastically cheered off by the home crowd on the hour mark. Not the farewell he was wanting.
RCB: Nasser Djiga - 6/10
Important block midway through the first-half to prevent Celtic capitalising on a 4v2 situation. Did just enough to prevent Maeda from hitting the target before half-time.
LCB: Emmanuel Fernandez - 5/10
A real mixed bag. Robbed McCowan of possession to spark the counter-attack which led to Rangers’ opener, picking out Chermiti. Outmuscled by Maeda, but blushes were spared after shot flew off target. Crashed a header off target late in first-half. Let Maeda run across him to slot home Celtic’s second. Caved under pressure
LB: Tuur Rommens - 6/10
On the end of a couple of heavy challenges. Linked well with Moore down the left-hand side and enjoyed plenty of space to break forward, but not as effective as he would’ve liked to be.
CM: Connor Barron - 6/10
Started positively and ended the first half with 100 per cent passing accuracy, but influence faded as the match wore on. Couldn’t affect proceedings offensively.
CM: Tochi Chukwuani - 4/10
Poor display. Dropped his marker for Celtic’s equaliser and slack in possession at times. Posted missing after the break.
CAM: Mohamed Diomande - 5/10
Tasked with keeping McGregor quiet. Offered plenty in attack first-half but fizzled out of the game after the restart. Lost possession that led to Celtic’s third goal.
RW: Oliver Antman - 2/10
Woeful. Hasn’t played many minutes of late and it told first-half. Offered next to nothing and found himself on the periphery of proceedings before being hooked just shy of the hour mark.
LW: Mikey Moore - 7/10
A constant livewire. Made several rampaging runs in behind Celtic’s vulnerable backline. Played Chermiti in which led to an early chance. Produced a calm finish from a tight angle to break the deadlock. Denied a quickfire second with a vital last-ditch block. On the receiving end of a reckless Johnston challenge.
CF: Youssef Chermiti - 6/10
Gave Trusty the run-around first-half. Teed up by Moore for an early chance which he dragged just wide of the far post. Displayed nifty footwork to have a shot blocked by Scales before Moore turned home at the second attempt. Shot saved by Sinisalo moments later. Booked for a late tackle on McCowan. Lacked service after the break and wasn’t able to have the same impact.
SUB: Dujon Sterling - 4/10
Introduced for Tavernier after 59 mins. Defended stoutly enough without doing anything spectacular.
SUB: Djeidi Gassama - 3/10
Replaced the anonymous Antman as part of a triple change. No real impact.
SUB: Thelo Aasgaard - 2/10
Brought on for Diomande. Failed to beat the first man from a free-kick to sum up his contribution. Didn’t look comfortable in a deeper role.
SUB: Bojan Miovski - 2/10
Replaced Chukwuani late on in Rangers’ desperate search for a goal. Late stoppage time header struck the post.