Celtic, under Brendan Rodgers, hold an unparalleled domestic record having won all three domestic competitions last season remaining unbeaten and their imposing run is still continuing this term with a view of conquering the Scottish Premiership title the seventh-time on a row.
Rangers FC, their age-old rivals and Saturday afternoon opponents, were also gearing up for the iconic clash at Ibrox following a slow start to the new campaign under Pedro Caixinha who is now determined to end Celtic’s unbeaten run and get closer to the Hoops (who are currently top of the table with 16 points, 5 points ahead of the Gers) in order to challenge for the league title.
But Celtic’s derby dominance continues at Ibrox as the visitors secured a comfortable 2-0 win to extend the gap with their rivals and now 8 points ahead of the Gers after 7 league fixtures of 2017-18 Championship season.
Below are the Rangers FC players rated from the fixture.
Wes Foderingham: 6.5
The Englishman pulled off a couple of outstanding stops to keep his side in the game. But he could have done little to deny Tom Rogic’s second-half strike. Foderingham, however, should have done better when Griffiths’ finished at the first post.
James Tavernier: 6.5
Was good going forward and whipped in a few purposeful crosses. But he should have tracked back more often and left a lot of space behind for Tierney and Sinclair.
Fabio Cardoso: 6
Should have cleared off Tierney’s effort at first place to avoid Rogic’s opener. Was troubled by Griffiths and Sinclair repeatedly inside the box.
Ross McCrorie: 7
The teenager was handed a start in place of injured Bruno Alves and was extremely effective in the first half and kept Pedro Caixinha’s men in the game. But he should have done better to clear off Tierney’s effort that eventually led Tom Rogic to break the deadlock.
Lee Hodson: 5
Hodson was troubled throughout the game by Patrick Roberts and lacked intent in attack as well.
Carlos Pena: 5.5
Had a quiet first half and the Mexican was taken off minutes after conceding the first goal and was replaced by veteran Kenny Miller to add more attacking flair in search of an equalizer.
Ryan Jack: 6
Jack was trying hard to keep things calm in the middle of the park. But he lacked creativity and failed to contribute in constituting attacking movements.
Graham Dorrans: 5.5
Dorrans failed to take control of the midfield and mostly concentrated on screening the back-line. Lacked enough efforts in going forward.
Daniel Candeias: 5.5
Candeias whipped in a few crosses but often failed with his dribbling and struggled to get past the Celtic defence. Was taken off in closing minutes and replaced by Aaron Nemane.
Alfredo Morelos: 6
Morelos has been on a great scoring run and almost found the back of the net with a free header. However, his effort was denied majestically by Craig Gordon and the forward failed to make any other noteworthy contribution.
Josh Windass: 6
The attacker darted forward a few times using his pace but his final deliveries lacked composure. Was taken off and replaced by Eduardo Herrera late in the second half.
Substitutes
Kenny Miller: 6.5
The veteran set up a free header for Morelos which was denied spectacularly by the Hoops custodian Gordon. Miller failed to direct his header into the net a few minutes later from Tavernier’s cross. Celtic doubled their lead seconds later.
Eduardo Herrera: 6
Looked purposeful with his physicality up front. But failed to alter the outcome
Aaron Nemane: NA
Played too little to warrant a rating.
