High-flying Celtic were expecting a sterner test this afternoon when they travelled to Ibrox to clash heads with Rangers. A nine-point cushion at the top of the standings could have had reduced to six with a defeat. But they avoided the same, thanks to a late equalizer from Kyogo Furuhashi.
Below are the Celtic players rated in their 2-2 draw against Rangers.
Joe Hart: 6.5
Made a few decent saves, but the veteran Englishman could have done little to stop either goal. His distribution and long balls were not up to the mark as well.
Cameron Carter-Vickers: 7
Commanded the game from the heart of the backline except for a few nervy occasions. Played it out from the back to script swift transitions.
Carl Starfelt: 6
Fouled Fashion Sakala inside the box which led to a Rangers spot-kick. Was clumsy with his tackles, but the Swedish centre-half made quite a few no-nonsense clearances and crucial interceptions.
Greg Taylor: 6
Started the game brightly but he could not continue for long following an injury sustained early into the contest. Josip Juranovic replaced the Scotsman around the 21st-minute mark.
Callum McGregor: 7
A routine display from the skipper who worked hard to dominate possession and pull the strings from his deep-lying midfield role.
Matt O’Riley: 6.5
Not his best game in Celtic colours as the midfield ace got dispossessed twice and failed with his long passes. Was not creative enough as a ‘number 8’, and therefore, made way for Aaron Mooy around the hour mark.
Reo Hatate: 7.5
Was lively with his box-to-box runs. Went for the second ball, won the majority of duels and exhibited his all-round ability before making way for Giorgos Giakoumakis late in the match.
James Forrest: 6
Tried his best to collect the ball from the deep and stage attacking threats. But he lacked the impact high up the pitch which resulted in a substitution around the hour mark. Liel Abada replaced him down the flank.
Daizen Maeda: 8
Was smart enough to find the net minutes after the kick-off. Showed high work ethic from the wide and created an array of opportunities before leaving the pitch for Filipe Jota.
Kyogo Furuhashi: 7.5
Was having a tough time high up the pitch. But his exquisite poaching trait saved Celtic when the Japanese sensation fired in during the closing minutes of the Old Firm derby.
Celtic Subs vs Rangers
Josip Juranovic: 6
Should have defended better against Sakala who kept him on his toes.
Liel Abada: 6.5
Was smart with his runs and link-up play from the flank.
Aaron Mooy: 6.5
Played his part in the build-up of the dramatic equalizer.
Filipe Jota: 6.5
Played too little to warrant a rating.
Giorgos Giakoumakis: 6.5
Played too little to warrant a rating.
