MAN BY MAN

RANGERS

WES FODERINGHAM

6 Although he made some important saves, especially in the first half, the goalkeeper repeatedly looked uncomfortable at crosses, adding to the nervousness in the Rangers rearguard.

JAMES TAVERNIER

6 The full-back kept Kieran Tierney quiet but it stunted his own attacking nature. Celtic dropping deeper also denied him the space to drive forward effectively.

DAVID BATES

4 Stretchered off early on after an accidental clash with Tom Rogic when the Australian scored.

BRUNO ALVES

5 Kept his place in the side with Russell Martin not yet ready to return, but he had an uncomfortable afternoon against Moussa Dembele, especially in the first half. Not as commanding a performance as Graeme Murty would have hoped for.

DECLAN JOHN

7 Arguably Rangers’ best performer in a frantic opening 45 minutes, he consistently broke past Jamie Murphy into open space behind Celtic’s defence and it was from his cross that Daniel Candeias capitalised.

GREG DOCHERTY

6 This was a test of Docherty’s progress and one he struggled to pass. While bustling and energetic in the first half, he didn’t have a telling influence and fell out of the game entirely after half-time.

SEAN GOSS

6 So often of late, Goss has controlled games from a deep position in midfield. Against Celtic, though, the pace seemed too fast to allow him to dictate in his preferred manner and, as a result, his influence was minimal.

DANIEL CANDEIAS

6 The winger took his goal well but as Rangers searched for a way past massed Celtic ranks in the second half, too often his delivery was disappointing.

JOSH WINDASS

6 Started the game like a man in-form and took his goal very well, but after Jozo Simunovic’s red card the onus was on him to provide the nous required to unlock the Celtic defence. Sadly for Rangers, he struggled to do so.

JAMIE MURPHY

7 Although both Rangers goals came down the right flank, it was on the left where they looked most dangerous. Murphy combined well with Declan John repeatedly in the opening exchanges but, like many of the Rangers side, struggled to make an impact later on.

ALFREDO MORELOS

7 His movement and physicality caused Celtic constant problems and he did everything but score in the first period. But the Colombian striker be remembered for the glaring miss from a few yards out which denied Rangers a point late on.

SUBSTITUTES

Fabio Cardoso (for Bates, 15 mins) An early substitute for David Bates, he showed why he’s been behind the former Raith Rovers youth player in the pecking order. Out-muscled by Demeble for Celtic’s second and looked uncomfortable throughout. 4 Jason Cummings (for Goss, 74 mins) With the game slipping away from Rangers, Murty threw on the previous week’s hat-trick hero but he failed to make an impact on proceedings. 6

SCOTT BAIN

CELTIC

6 An unexpected debut for the former Dundee stopper after Dorus de Vries’ injury forced Brendan Rodgers’ hand. Could do nothing about Josh Windass’ early opener and grew into the game as Celtic hung on for victory.

KIERAN TIERNEY

7 Not the usual gung-ho attacking display we’ve come to expect from Tierney but he successfully checked James Tavernier’s influence and defended diligently as Celtic dropped deep.

KRISTOFFER AJER

6 Rangers repeatedly found space behind Ajer in the first half, which led to many of the home side’s best chances, but he improved after the break and made a crucial intervention to deny Alfredo Morelos at 2-2.

JOZO SIMUNOVIC

5 Simunovic has been a panicky presence in the Celtic back line in recent weeks, but he looked the most composed of the centre halves until his entirely unnecessary red card for an elbow on Morelos.

DEDRYCK BOYATA

4 Not a game Boyata will care to remember. Gifted Windass Rangers’ opener and it was not his only piece of lazy, lackadaisical play throughout the 90 minutes.

OLIVIER NTCHAM

8 Often overshadowed by his midfield partner, Scott Brown, Ntcham had one of his better games. Had an influence going forward in the first half and showed important composure as Celtic kept Rangers at bay after half-time.

SCOTT BROWN

7 Seemed overwhelmed by Rangers energetic midfield in the first half, but Moussa Dembele turned his long ball into an assist as the opening period came to an end and looked more assured as Celtic shut out the hosts after the break.

CALLUM MCGREGOR

6 Had one good effort saved by Wes Foderingham as Celtic turned the screw in the later stages of the first half and was busy and industrious throughout.

TOM ROGIC

6 His wonderful, curling goal was classic Rogic, and his ability to put a foot on the ball helped Celtic wrestle back control of a game they looked in danger of losing.

JAMES FORREST

6 The winger has been one of Celtic’s best players this season, but this was one of his quieter games.

MOUSSA DEMBELE

7 After his hat-trick against Morton last weekend, the Frenchman proved more evidence that’s he’s re-discovering his best form. Took his goal expertly and provided the assist for the winner.

SUBSTITUTES

Jack Hendry (for Rogic, 60 mins) Thrown into the game after Simunovic’s red, the young former Dundee defender showed composure and diligence in keeping Rangers out despite constant pressure. 8 Odsonne Edouard (for Forrest, 67 mins) A super-sub last weekend, Edouard pulled the same trick again; coming on with the contest in the balance, his goal swung the game in Celtic’s favour. 8 Stuart Armstrong (for Dembele, 86 mins) No time to make an impact but helped his team see out the final minutes on his return from injury. 4