Rangers 1-0 Celtic: Player ratings as Filip Helander heads hosts to victory in Old Firm

Business

Rangers managed to find something close to their best form at the right time as their depleted squad picked up a composed 1-0 victory over Celtic in the Old Firm derby on Sunday.

Celtic began the game on top, but after initially struggling to test goalkeeper Robbie McCrorie, they should have easily been ahead. Hitman Odsonne Edouard missed a sitter midway through the half, tapping wide after Kyogo Furuhashi put it on a plate for him.

Rangers had their own good chance soon after through Ryan Kent, whose curling effort clipped the outside of the post and went wide of Joe Hart’s goal. It summed up the first half pretty well – a lot of fun but with Steven Davis‘ ambitious free kick as the only shot on target.

The hosts came out after the break in control, and their immense pressure on Celtic’s goal paid off in the 67th minute as Filip Helander made sure not to waste the free header he was gifted from a corner.

Celtic had a late flurry at McCrorie’s goal. Kyogo had two excellent chances but seemed to make the wrong decision with each, passing when he should have shot and shooting when he should have passed.

Robbie McCrorie (GK) – 6/10 – Drafted in because of a COVID crisis at Rangers, McCrorie had the quiet game he would have wanted. Sharp off his line and made a solid save to deny Kyogo late on.

Leon Balogun (RB) – 8/10 – Was pinned back by Kyogo but really rose to the challenge. Lost out once or twice but generally did well to keep the winger away from the box.

Connor Goldson (CB) – 6/10 – Had to rely on those around him to bail him out at times. Looked a little too complacent but seemed to calm down as the clock ticked on.

Filip Helander (CB) – 8/10 – A pure defender. Did really well up against Edouard and looked on top of things throughout. Took his goal with real confidence.

Borna Barisic (LB) – 7/10 – Some nice defending and a few dangerous early crosses, including an excellent ball in for Helander.

Glen KamaraGlen Kamara

Kamara took too long to get going / Steve Welsh/Getty Images

Glen Kamara (CM) – 6/10 – Lacked urgency and gave Celtic’s midfield far too much time in the first half, but stepped his game up after the break and eventually started pulling the string.

Steven Davis (CM) – 7/10 – Sat a bit deeper than wanted in the first half, perhaps trying to help Balogun deal with Kyogo, but was given more freedom after the break and really began to dominate.

Joe Aribo (CM) – 6/10 – Underwhelming as a central midfielder but offered a decent amount going forward. Lacked urgency in his press but generated excitement with some dangerous runs when he got on the ball. Probably wanted to be played a little further up.

Ryan KentRyan Kent

Kent was well below par / Steve Welsh/Getty Images

Kemar Roofe (RW) – 5/10 – A little isolated down the wing as Juranovic pinned him back. Got in some good positions but rarely offered any significant threat.

Alfredo Morelos (ST) – 6/10 – Worked very hard to get the ball, dropping deep and drifting out wide to try and get things going, but found it hard to do all those jobs at once.

Ryan Kent (LW) – 4/10 – Looked really off it. Might have had Rangers‘ best chance of the first half but Kent was well below his best. Looked scared to run at Ralston but was mauled whenever he came inside.

John Lundstram – 6/10

Fashion Sakala – N/A

Scott Arfield – N/A

Joe HartJoe Hart

Hart had a quiet game / BSR Agency/Getty Images

Joe Hart (GK) – 6/10 – A spectator. Constantly yelling at his defence to keep them organised but that was all he had to do apart from pick the ball out of the back of the net.

Anthony Ralston (RB) – 7/10 – A menace at both ends of the field. Easily got the better of Kent at the back and was constantly looking to get forward, although his final ball wasn’t always perfect.

Carl Starfelt (CB) – 7/10 – Clearly understood the importance of this game. Flew into every challenge with such aggression and looked like a man possessed at times. Exactly what fans wanted from him.

Stephen Welsh (CB) – 7/10 – Enjoyed his battle with Morelos. Kept the Rangers man quiet and ensured nobody around him could get a real sniff.

Josip Juranovic (LB) – 7/10 – Deployed on the wrong side on his debut but was superb. More touches than anyone else in the first half as he really looked to get Kyogo into the game.

Callum McGregorCallum McGregor

McGregor pulled the strings / Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

David Turnbull (CM) – 5/10 – Struggled to get up to speed with the game, physically and mentally. Some woeful deliveries from set pieces.

Callum McGregor (CM) – 7/10 – Dominated the midfield battle in the first half, keeping possession expertly and pulling all the strings. Saw his influence fade as the game progressed.

Ryan Christie (CM) – 5/10 – Underwhelmed in a deeper role. Didn’t want to get into a battle with Rangers‘ midfield and was clearly begging to be pushed out to the wing.

Odsonne EdouardOdsonne Edouard

Edouard had a poor game / Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Liel Abada (RW) – 4/10 – Not involved in the game at all. Looked terrified by Rangers‘ physicality and was so absent that Ralston had to do a double shift in attack.

Odsonne Edouard (ST) – 4/10 – Missed one of the easiest chances of his career and looked really lost after that. Did not threaten the defenders at all. An underwhelming farewell?

Kyogo Furuhashi (LW) – 7/10 – Looked incredibly dangerous early on, whipping in some excellent crosses and caused real panic at the back, but appeared to tire out as the game progressed. Perhaps should have been in the centre instead of Edouard.

Tom Rogic – 6/10

Ismaila Soro – 5/10

Adam Montgomery – N/A