The first Old Firm Derby of the season is done and dusted and Celtic eased to a stunning victory over their arch rivals Rangers. It was a huge occasion for Scottish football as the stage was set for the first Old Firm Derby in the Premiership since 2012. Mark Warburton’s boys were thrashed by the Hoops with relative ease and Moussa Dembele, on his Old Firm debut, stole the headlines with a hat-trick.
It was quite an end to end game in the first 30 minutes but Celtic started dominating after that as Moussa Dembele headed in from a Scott Sinclair corner rising above a non-existent Rangers defence. Debutant Senderos was fooled by Dembele for Celtic’s second in the 42nd minute. Rangers pegged one back through Joe Garner right before the break but they did not even stand a chance in the second half.
Dembele set up Sinclair for Celtic’s third of the afternoon before Senderos got his second booking. Celtic scored two more against 10-men Rangers after the red card as Dembele got his first Celtic hat-trick and what an occasion he chose for that. Here are Rangers player ratings from the game.
Wes Foderingham: 6/10
Made a number of decent stops throughout the game but his defence let him down time and time again.
James Tavernier: 5.5/10
Probably was the best performer among the back four. Was involved in Rangers’ only goal of the game when he found Miller with a good pass.
Philippe Senderos: 3/10
I have never seen such a horrible debut (maybe Jonathan Woodgate). The experienced Swiss international could not command the back four as Dembele scored a free header. He was easily tricked by young Dembele for Celtic’s second goal. A needless foul got him booked but he did not learn a lesson and let the team down by getting a second booking getting himself sent off on his Rangers debut.
Rob Kiernan: 5/10
Kiernan was just better than his partner in defence. Made a few crucial interceptions but overall it was far from a performance needed in a Derby.
Lee Wallace: 5/10
Started really well and constantly threatened from the left flank but faded later.
Joey Barton: 5/10
Scott Brown literally owned Barton in midfield. The Englishman started in a decent manner but vanished after the 30th minute.
Niko Kranjcar: 4/10
The Croat could not impress at all in a deeper role and was withdrawn at the half-time whistle.
Josh Windass: 6/10
Worked really hard and always tried to make something happen but the end product was consistently missing. But for his willingness and hunger, I am giving a six.
Joe Garner: 6.5/10
In a match Rangers fans will love to forget, Garner was the only good thing for Rangers. The striker worked his socks off for the team and was involved in such nasty collisions. He proved his passion by somehow managing to get his head to divert Kenny Miller’s ball into the goal.
Kenny Miller: 5.5/10
Was largely ineffective apart from the header to set up Joe Garner.
Barrie McKay: 5/10
Was kept silent by experienced Mikael Lustig throughout the game.
Substitutes
Andy Halliday: 5/10
Came on for Kranjcar in the second half but could not really inspire the team.
Martyn Waghorn: NA
Harry Forrester: NA
