RANGERS HOW THEY RATED
ALLAN McGREGOR .......
8 Produced heroics and made it look easy. Batted away a couple of efforts when Gers were one up and pulled off a couple of crackers at 2-0 to halt any hint of a comeback. Denied Moi Elyounoussi twice before saving the penalty too.
NATHAN PATTERSON ......
8 Youngster had Diego Laxalt on toast from the off when he nicked the ball off the Celtic full-back. It was a green light to go on the rampage. Solid defending but caught the eye with his tireless charges up the pitch. Has given his manager a dilemma with James Tavernier on the way back – along with Scotland boss Steve Clarke.
CONNOR GOLDSON ...........
7 Typically dominant. Dealt with set-pieces that came his way and was a solid presence at the back when Celtic applied some pressure. Much more effective with the ball at his feet than at Parkhead last month and able to hit effective diagonals in behind full-back positions.
FILIP HELANDER ........
7 Big Swede wouldn’t have a hair out of place in a hurricane. Calm and composed, even in moments with the merest hint of danger. Perhaps got away with slight tug on Stephen Welsh in first half but it would be the slightest of contacts. Made sure he was in way when opportunities popped up.
BORNA BARISIC ..
7
Turned tables on Celts from last game across the city as he forced Jonjoe Kenny to abandon his high push up the park at times. Left peg always reliable to whip over a ball and linked up well with Glen Kamara.
STEVEN DAVIS ..
8 At 36 he’d no right to attempt acrobatics in the box but the midfielder master has been defying time all season. His goal was sensational but it was more about the cool performance in a key battleground. Snuffed out danger that came his way and brilliant at building play and turning defence into attack.
GLEN KAMARA ...
One of those neat and tidy Kamara performances that are so effective for Rangers. Never looked in a hurry, never mind a panic, and knocked the ball around in triangles to prise open Hoops rearguard. The calm head was key any time the Parkhead side threatened to get back in the game.
SCOTT ARFIELD
6
..7 Brought back into the side to add some steel and experience and it worked a treat. It was a disciplined, deep role, allowing Celtic to advance before it was like taking sweeties from a wean. He and Davis were link men as Gers bounced the ball around to move up pitch and find spaces down the flanks.
JOE ARIBO ......... 7 Celtic just couldn’t cope with his drive, energy and direct running. Had a hand in both first-half goals and tortured
Celtic throughout. Cut inside brilliantly to let fly in build-up to the opener and it was even more impressive as he skinned Laxalt to tee up Ryan Kent for the second. Only blot was nudge for the penalty.
RYAN KENT .......
Simply too hot for Celtic to handle. There was fancy footwork but it wasn’t for show. Sent Scott Brown for a loaf on the way to the opener and it was his near-post run that forced the second off Kenny. Is so much more than just a winger, he drifts inside, can peel down the flanks and drive in to the box. Another Old Firm star turn.
ALFREDO MORELOS ..........
6 Quietly effective display for the striker, was selfless rather than stealing spotlight. His movement allowed others such as Kent and Aribo to attack the spaces down the channels, while making life awkward for the Hoops defenders looking to pick a pass on the way out.
SUBS: KEMAR ROOFE ...
8
3 Fresh legs at the end (Morelos 80), Roofe used his strength to hold up the ball to ensure that the final moments were stress free.