Simon Donnelly blasts ‘terrible’ Ben Davies as BBC Sportscene show Rangers footage v Celtic
Simon Donnelly has blasted Rangers defender Ben Davies for his “terrible” mistake in the 3-2 loss to Celtic at Parkhead on Saturday (8 April).
The hosts extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table to 12 points with the victory at Parkhead.
Michael Beale’s side impressed at stages in the match, but were ultimately undone by their own mistakes and some fine finishing from Celtic’s goalscorers.
Speaking on BBC Scotland’s Sportscene show on Saturday night (8 April, 17m20s), Donnelly said: “This one here, [Kyogo] has made a little dart to the back post there and he keeps himself alive.
“It’s a terrible mistake [by Davies] and it falls back into him and he sticks it in the back of the net. He’d be happy to capitalise on that mistake.
“He’s onside, there was a bit of debate on it, he steps away and he sniffs out the danger. That looks as if it’s going for a goal kick but it falls nicely for him and before you know it, it’s in the back of the net.”
Poor defending
Following his disappointing spell at Liverpool, where the centre-back failed to make a single appearance under Jurgen Klopp, Davies has been a firm favourite under Beale at Rangers.
He did have initial struggles getting into the starting XI at the Ibrox club, but since December he has made himself a permanent figure at Rangers.
The defender has been impressing at the back as Beale’s side enjoyed a strong unbeaten run, but it all came tumbling down against fierce rivals Celtic, and Davies will be extremely disappointed looking back on the game.
The visitors conceded three goals to Ange Postecoglou’s side, with Davies undoubtedly responsible for the home side’s second goal of the afternoon after he failed to clear the ball on two occasions.
While the Scottish Premiership title looks certain to head Celtic’s way, the centre-back can learn from this moment, particularly that you simply cannot make such mistakes against a forward of Kyogo Furuhashi’s quality.
In other Rangers news, Kris Boyd has slammed the “embarrassing” decision to disallow Alfredo Morelos’ first-half goal against Celtic.