Nick Ware

Sun 21 March 2021 14:46, UK

Kris Boyd criticised Filip Helander for his role in Mohamed Elyounoussi’s Old Firm opener as Rangers drew 1-1 with Celtic.

The opening period of the game was fairly uneventful but the game sprung into life when Elyounoussi nodded in an Odsonne Edouard cross from the left-hand side.

Leon Balogun was beaten easily by Edouard but speaking on Sky Sports at half-time [13:00, 21/03/21] ex-Gers striker Boyd blamed Helander for failing to prevent the goal.

“Once the ball comes in, I still think Filip Helander’s got to defend it better,” he said.

“But I will say it’s not like him because when it usually comes into the box…he had a big tackle here earlier this season as well, when it usually comes into the box he defends it well, he’s not done it there today and Celtic have punished him.”

Multitude of mistakes

Helander was beaten by the pure movement of Elyounoussi for the first goal of the game.

In a tense and nervy start to the Old Firm it was all about who would blink first and some costly defensive errors ensured it was Celtic who gained the upper hand.

The defence was too deep and this was compounded by a lack of pressure in the middle of the pitch and that allowed Edouard to latch onto a ball down the sides.

Balogun was nowhere near tight enough to stop the cross but ultimately Helander is the one who takes the most of the flak as Elyounoussi ghosted behind him to score.

Boyd is right – Helander is usually right on the spot and we don’t expect him to lose his man as he did here.

However we have to begrudgingly applaud the attacking play as it was a great cross from Edouard and matched by some clever movement.

It was an uncharacteristic mistake from Helander and not something we think is a concern going forward and ultimately it did not matter too much as Alfredo Morelos levelled the scores before half-time to keep up our unbeaten streak in the Premiership.

In other Rangers news, Union Bears send message of support to Roofe and Kamara.