Ibrox View: 2/10 player atrocious in Old Firm embarrassment - Rangers player ratings v Celtic

Rangers were put to the sword in their first Old Firm match-up of the season, being hit with a 3-0 defeat at Parkhead on Sunday (1 September).

Philippe Clement made two changes to the side which thumped Ross County 6-0 last time out and the Gers started brightly, but Celtic smelled blood after an offside goal was disallowed and made it 1-0 through Daezen Maeda a few minutes later.

From there, one-way traffic ensued, and after Kyogo Furuhashi stroked one in from 20 yards to make it 2-0, the Gers were lucky to get to half-time without being further behind.

Clement’s side improved somewhat in the second period, but Cyriel Dessers, John Souttar and Ross McCausland all missed big chances to narrow the scorelines before Callum McGregor’s superb long-range strike sealed the points for the hosts.

Here’s how Ibrox News rated the players out of 10;

Jack Butland – 3

Raced off his line to sieze a ball in behind, getting to it ahead of Kyogo, but was soon beaten by the Celtic forward as he made it 2-0 from 20 yards with his starting position very puzzling. Made a point-blank save to deny Bernardo after he stepped through the Gers defence before half-time, but could do nothing about McGregor’s rocket for the third.

James Tavernier – 4

An early cross into the six-yard box should have resulted in a goal, but Matondo headed wide from yards out. Easily shrugged off by Maeda as he got past the Gers captain to stroke in the opener, but Tavernier then made a vital block to deny the Celtic goalscorer a second goal. Caused problems by Maeda throughout but often looked one of Clement’s most dangerous players in attack. Lashed a volley goalwards which was well-saved by Schmeichel, but didn’t get close enough to McGregor for the third.

John Souttar – 5

Looked to be playing Kuhn onside as Celtic found the net after 11 minutes, but VAR intervened to spare Souttar’s blushes. Caught on the ball in his own box as Celtic nearly created another chance, but later prevented the hosts from going 3-0 up with an awkward clearance off the line. Second-half shot and far-post header in quick succession; one blocked one hit the woodwork.

Robin Propper has nightmare first Old Firm for Rangers

Robin Propper (off for Leon Balogun, 80′) – 2

Got onto the end of an early Cerny cross but couldn’t head the ball on target, and then slipped at the crucial moment as Johnston fired a cross into the box for Maeda’s opener. Stood off Kyogo for the forward’s 20-yard strike to make it 2-0, and then left for dead by his run in behind which Kyogo thankfully missed. Almost skewed a Johnston cross into his own net, but for a last-gasp Butland save, and was taken off with 10 to go after an atrocious Old Firm debut.

Jefte – 4

Hammered a Celtic cross away from danger as Clement’s side were opened up for the first time. Body-check on Kuhn earned the Brazilian an early yellow card, and although he wasn’t at fault for much defensively, he was barely ever able to get onto the front foot.

Dujon Sterling (off for Nicolas Raskin, 80′) – 4

Slid in on McGregor but didn’t do enough, allowing the Celtic captain to release Kuhn in the build-up to Kyogo’s goal which was disallowed in a let off. At 1-0 down and on a yellow card, Sterling didn’t get close enough to Kyogo as he turned the Gers utility man to stroke in the second from 20 yards. Improved in an industrious second half performance before being taken off.

Connor Barron – 4

Clattered into Kyogo in the opening minutes and was lucky to avoid an early yellow card, and continued to be involved in the midfield battle. Did give Cerny a hospital pass prior to Kyogo making it 2-0, but never stopped running in midfield – usually into green-and-white traffic

Vaclav Cerny (Hamza Igamane, 80′) – 3

An overly-ambitious back-heel on the edge of his own box almost resulted in a Celtic chance, before he lost out to Greg Taylor prior to Kyogo’s strike from range. Beaten to the ball by the Celtic left-back again as he made a diagonal run into the box, and couldn’t provide the quality he’s shown previous before being taken off.

Mohamed Diomande (off for Tom Lawrence, 58) – 4

Coming-together off the ball with Johnston earned both players needless yellow cards. Remained energetic throughout and looked dangerous on the break with Dessers, but was taken off for Tom Lawrence with the Gers 2-0 down in the second half.

Rabbi Matondo (off for Ross McCausland, 38′) – 3

Got on the end of Tavernier’s cross just yards out, but couldn’t execute from point-blank range. Switched off just minutes later and allowed Johnston to run in behind and cross for the opener, before picking up an injury.

Matondo tried to carry on, but was eventually forced off seven minutes before half-time, in a performance which reflected that of the entire Gers team: A bright start but missed a glorious chance, and it was game over before half-time.

Cyriel Dessers – 3

It would have been given offside anyway, but Dessers had to do better with an early chance which he put straight at Schmeichel from right in front. A loose touch early in the second half allowed Celtic to clear, and another guilt-edge chance minutes later was almost passed into Schmeichel’s gloves. Threw his weight around trying to carve out chances, but execution let him down yet again.

Substitutions:

Ross McCausland (on for Rabbi Matondo, 38′) – 3 – Replaced the injured Matondo on the left flank, but largely had more defending than attacking to do. Got on the end of a good Tavernier cross, but skewed it well wide on the half-volley, and was teed up by Jefte moments later but again couldn’t finish from right in front. The ball broke kindly to him right in front, but Schmeichel was off his line to deny him.

Tom Lawrence (on for Mohamed Diomande, 58′) – 4 – Could have conceded a penalty on another day for a block in the box which sent Kuhn flying into the air, and was booked minutes later after fouling Celtic debutant Arne Engels off the ball. Had a chance to punish the hosts on the counter, but a heavy touch denied him.

Leon Balogun (on for Robin Propper, 80′) – N/A

Hamza Igamane (on for Vaclav Cerny, 80′) – N/A

Nicolas Raskin (on for Dujon Sterling, 80′) – N/A

In other Rangers news, Clement was slammed by one pundit following the Gers’ elimination from the Champions League.

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