Celtic, desperate to salvage their season, were upbeat ahead of locking horns with Rangers in the Scottish Cup fourth round fixture. A victory today would have made them firm favourites to clinch the Scottish Cup glory, but the sheer supremacy of the Scottish champions could not be tarnished. The Hoops endure a 2-0 defeat and end up without silverware in the 2020-2021 campaign.
Below are the Celtic players rated in their disappointing defeat against Rangers.
Scott Bain: 6.5
Could have done little to deny either of the Bears’ goals, but the custodian saved his side from more humiliation by making some decent stops throughout the game.
Jonjoe Kenny: 5
Had a tough time against Ryan Kent from the wide and eventually scored an own goal under pressure from the Gers’ attacker. Did not offer much going forward and failed to meet the expectations, particularly after last month’s impressive derby display.
Stephen Welsh: 7.5
Denied Scott Arfield off the line and tried his level best to keep things under control in the heart of the backline. But the link-up play of Kent, Joe Aribo and Alfredo Morelos often put the youngster in trouble.
Kristoffer Ajer: 7
Had an effort denied off the line by Filip Helander. Tried to play it out from the back but could not make his trademark dribbles amid pressure from Rangers midfield.
Diego Laxalt: 4.5
Had a terrible game as he continued to struggle against 19-year-old Nathan Patterson. Was taken off at half-time to be replaced by Greg Taylor.
Scott Brown: 5.5
Had a tough time dealing with the pace of Ryan Kent and Joe Aribo. The intelligence of Glen Kamara and the experience of Steven Davis restricted and nullified his game in the middle of the pitch.
Callum McGregor: 8
Tried his level best to control the midfield game. Carried the ball from the deep to operate in the advanced area, but the Scotsman could not beat his namesake in Rangers goal.
David Turnbull: 5.5
An afternoon to forget for the youngster who could not create enough chances despite switching his position time and again in order to have some free space in midfield.
Ryan Christie: 6
Started in the absence of injured-again James Forrest. Could not do enough though to trouble the disciplined Rangers defence. Was taken off to be replaced by Leigh Griffiths around the 73rd-minute mark.
Mohamed Elyounoussi: 7
Got denied by McGregor and failed to find the net despite being close on a few occasions. Tried his level best but his fellow attackers let him down big time on this occasion. Made way for Albian Ajeti with four minutes remaining.
Odsonne Edouard: 5
A shocking display from the Frenchman as he looked isolated all throughout. Did not create enough chances upfront, missed clear-cut opportunities and failed to convert the spot-kick late in the game which could have helped the Hoops stage a comeback.
Celtic Substitutes Vs Rangers
Greg Taylor: 6.5
Restored the balance to some extent in the defensive third.
Leigh Griffiths: 6
Earned a spot-kick which, however, could not be converted by Edouard.
Albian Ajeti: NA
Played too little to warrant a rating.
