Rangers player ratings v Celtic: Fabio Silva flops with 2/10 in Old Firm draw at Ibrox
Rangers missed the opportunity to claim their first Old Firm victory of the season and move above Celtic in the table as they drew 3-3 to Brendan Rodgers’ side at Ibrox.
Second-half strikes from James Tavernier, Abdallah Sima and Rabbi Matondo ensured that Philippe Clement’s side completed a remarkable comeback to share the points on Sunday (7 April).
The draw means that Rodgers’ Hoops remains top of the Scottish Premiership, but the Light Blues have the opportunity to move top if they win their game in hand against Dundee next time out.
Ibrox News have rated the players out of 10;
Jack Butland – 7
On a day where very few players impressed, the Englishman was once again excellent and did all he could to keep Clement’s side in the contest. Little he could do to stop Maeda’s opener and was well beaten by O’Riley’s penalty. Several huge saves to stop the away side’s lead extending.
James Tavernier – 6
The Rangers captain has been one of the Light Blues’ best players this season but the fullback couldn’t have had a worse start at Ibrox. As he so often does though, the Englishman found a way to make up for his mistake with an excellent second-half penalty. An incredibly mixed afternoon for the right-back who will rue that big early mistake.
Connor Goldson – 3
Had a golden chance to level things up in the first half but couldn’t hit the target and then handled the ball in the box to give away a penalty. Those were arguably the two biggest moments in the contest and the Englishman failed to make the correct call in both instances. If the Gers want to lift the title this term, they have to cut out these sloppy mistakes.
John Souttar – 5
The Scottish international got stuck in defensively and had the battle scars to prove it as he sported a Terry Butcher bandage for much of the game. Maintained possession well but was part of a defence that was pulled apart far too often by Celtic.
Dujon Sterling – 6
Deployed at left-back after Ridvan Yilmaz missed out with injury and deputised well despite the difficult circumstances. Didn’t manage to impact proceedings going forward as much as he would have liked but did his job out of possession as he won plenty of individual duels in the clash. Maybe should have done more to stop Idah’s winner.
Mohammed Diomande – 6
The first taste of the Old Firm for the midfielder and he would have been shellshocked by the early stages of the clash. While he wasn’t as impressive as he has been since joining in January, the 22-year-old fashioned a couple of chances in front of goal and battled away well against the Hoops’ midfield. Improved as the game went on.
John Lundstram – 5
Normally the calm centre of Clement’s team, the Englishman struggled to get a foot on the ball in the first half and was uncharacteristically sloppy in possession. Calmed down in the second half and put in a more composed performance. When the 30-year-old is playing well, Rangers tend to look much better.
Tom Lawrence – 5
Preferred to Todd Cantwell in the attacking midfield position, but the game passed the Welsh international by in the opening 45 minutes. Grew into the game in the second half but still missed a couple of opportunities to really add something in the final third before he was replaced by Todd Cantwell.
Scott Wright – 4
Like many of the Light Blues’ attackers, the winger barely had a kick in the game as Celtic dominated proceedings at Ibrox. The 26-year-old only had 19 touches off the ball and could do very little with it before he was replaced at half-time.
Will Rangers sign Fabio Silva permanently in the summer transfer window?
Fabio Silva – 2
The Portuguese forward spent far too much time down on the turf but somehow managed to win a penalty even if it was in controversial circumstances. The Wolves loanee missed a couple of great chances late in the second half and flattered to deceive before he was substituted midway through the second half. He needs to start showing more in a blue shirt.
Cyriel Dessers – 5
Having barely touched the ball in the opening 45 minutes, the Nigerian international thought he had levelled things up earlier in the second half but the goal was ruled out for an earlier foul. Led the line as well as he probably could and didn’t waste any big scoring chances like he did at Parkhead.
Subs
Abdallah Sima – 7
A great goal and gave the Gers an extra dimension going forward.
Todd Cantwell – 6
Rabbi Matondo – 8
The winger changed the game and scored an absolute screamer. What a magic moment that could define the title race.
Kieran Dowell – 6
In other Rangers news, Sam Lammers has been tipped to leave Ibrox in a £1.5million move to Utrecht this summer
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