Celtic suffered their first defeat of the season after Brendan Rodgers’ side put in a woeful performance against Rangers at Ibrox.
The third Glasgow Derby of the season was highly anticipated as Celtic had the opportunity to go 17 points ahead of Rangers with a win at Ibrox to effectively end their title challenge.
Brendan Rodgers named a strong Celtic starting XI as the Hoops boss looked to record another win over Rangers at Ibrox. But it didn’t go how the Northern Irishman planned it.
The 3-0 defeat doesn’t change anything at the top of the Scottish Premiership but it does take the pressure off Philippe Clement as the Rangers boss had not recorded a win over Celtic in six previous attempts.
Celtic were sloppy, complacent and just couldn’t cope against a Rangers side who appeared to want the victory more and after losing 3-0, it is difficult to give any of Rodgers’ players pass marks.
So with that in mind, here is how 67 Hail Hail rates Celtic’s performance with one player receiving 4/10.
Celtic player ratings as Brendan Rodgers suffers defeat at Ibrox
Kasper Schmeichel – 5
The big Dane didn’t have much to do throughout the 90 minutes. Couldn’t do much at Rangers’ opener as he seemed to be unsighted by Cameron Carter-Vickers. Had one save to make in the second half.
Alistair Johnston – 5
The Canadian couldn’t really get the partnership he has with Nicolas Kuhn going as misplaced passes and poor reading of the game gifted Rangers possession or broke down a couple of promising first-half attacks.
Cameron Carter-Vickers – 6
The big American was the only shining light in a first half full of mistakes for Celtic. Was calm and composed on the ball and saved Celtic from going two behind in at the break. Lost his man at Rangers’ second goal.
Liam Scales – 4
The big Irishman who is normally very reliable was at fault for Rangers’ first goal as misplaced passes blighted his first half. Wasn’t his normal calm self and often ran into trouble as the Ibrox players heavily pressed the defender.
Greg Taylor – 6
Was one of Celtic’s better players and made clearance after clearance in a first half when Brendan Rodgers’ team put themselves under pressure.
Reo Hatate – 5
The Japanese midfielder was poor once again as he was fairly anonymous through the 64 minutes he was on the pitch. Misplaced passes and poor reading of the game put Callum McGregor under pressure on more than one occasion.
Callum McGregor – 6
The Celtic captain was let down by his two partners in midfield. Was man-marked by Rangers and most of his threat was nullified because of that. Couldn’t impose himself of the game as he normally does.
Paulo Bernardo – 5
Was preferred to start the game over Arne Engels and was often bullied off the the ball by the Rangers midfield.
Nicolas Kuhn – 5
The German winger has been Celtic’s most attacking threat all season. However, he couldn’t find a way to impose himself into the game. Made a few runs but those were mainly across the midfield as Rangers blocked snuffed out his threat.
Daizen Maeda – 5
The Japanese winger who normally terrorises the Rangers defence was fairly anonymous throughout the game. Started brightly with a couple of runs in the opening minutes but he quickly faded out of the game
Kyogo Furuhashi – 6
The Japanese striker was lively in the press but starved of any real service. Had a goal chalked off early in the second half for offside even though it was an exquisite finish by the Celtic talisman.
Adam Idah (sub) – 5
Brought on to replace Kyogo in the 64th minute. Never really got involved in the game and, just like the Japanese striker, Idah was starved of any real service.
Alex Valle (sub) – 5
Replaced Greg Taylor and tried to offer Celtic an attacking threat on the left alongside Daizen Maeda. In the end, the young Barcelona defender was snuffed out of the game.
Luke McCowan (sub) – 5
Normally makes an impact whenever he comes on as a sub but, like all of his Celtic teammates, McCowan was nullified as Rangers overran Celtic’s midfield for the whole game.
Arne Engels – 5
The Belgian was dropped to the Celtic bench for the derby and was brought on to provide the spark that was missing in the midfield. Could do nothing to prevent another two Rangers goals in the second half.
Overall, Brendan Rodgers will need to put this down to a bad day at the office but serious questions need to be raised on some of Celtic’s players who have been threatening this type of performance for a number of weeks now.
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