John Lundstram catastrophic on way out, Jack Butland shines – Rangers player ratings v Celtic
Rangers were unable to fight back from self-inflicted adversity in another defeat to Celtic at Parkhead as a 2-1 scoreline likely ended their title hopes.
Having grown into the game after a shaky start the Light Blues went behind as Matt O’Riley smashed in low in acres of space on the edge of the box after 35 minutes and the implosion appeared to have set in when John Lundstram put one into his own net three minutes later.
Cyriel Dessers hit back immediately to nod home a Dujon Sterling header from Borna Barisic’s cross before Lundstram likely ended his Ibrox career in nightmare fashion as he was sent off by Willie Collum just before the break for a lunging tackle on Alistair Johnston.
It nearly went from bad to worse soon after the interval as Mohamed Diomande clipped O’Riley in the box and the obligatory VAR controversy arrived as Collum reviewed the contact for an age before confirming his decision, only for Jack Butland to keep out O’Riley’s kick, but Philippe Clement’s 10 men were unable to fight back.
Here, Ibrox News rates the Rangers players out of 10 for their derby performances at Parkhead.
Jack Butland – 9 (Man of the Match)
Vital, again, but exposed by his teammates, again. Unlike the April draw at Ibrox he was able to prevent a first-minute catastrophe as he kept out a potential own goal by Souttar, and made a crucial stop to keep out Kyogo after half an hour. The penalty save wasn’t relatively routine but kept the Light Blues in the game as it looked to disappear out of sight.
James Tavernier – 6
Rebounded from a shaky start up against Daizen Maeda as he attempted to drive his side forward but the telling influence he often has was lacking.
Ben Davies – 7
Despite becoming a forgotten man at Ibrox in recent months his forced elevation to the starting line up didn’t prove to be the weakness that may have been feared as his defensive display was probably the strongest for Rangers until Sterling joined him, with a number of important blocks made. Arguably should have closed down O’Riley quicker for the opener but the Dane should never have been on his own in the first place.
John Souttar (off for McCausland ’46) – 4
A chaotic start didn’t inspire confidence in the absence of Leon Balogun and Connor Goldson, as he was turned too easily by Kyogo in midfield and nearly scored an own goal inside a minute. Didn’t get a great deal better from there as his replacement at the half despite not being injured demonstrated.
Jack Butland shines again in chaotic Rangers Old Firm derby
Borna Barisic (off for Yilmaz ’60) – 5
Barisic’s Gers career in a nutshell as he was weak defensively but put in a good attacking cross to create the goal for Dessers. Surprisingly started over Ridvan Yilmaz he failed to prevent James Forrest getting a dangerous ball in straight away but avoided one of his complete Parkhead nightmares as Celtic instead had so much space in the centre, and his deep ball on the overlap which found Sterling was important.
Mohamed Diomande – 3
A good signing but a bad game. Failed to get up to speed early as he conceded a dangerous early free kick which O’Riley curled narrowly wide and then took out Callum McGregor in midfield moments later and was lucky to escape a booking. Outperformed his catastrophic midfield partner but the clumsy penalty concession, albeit a soft one, could have thrown any hope of a comeback away straight after the restart.
John Lundstram – 1
Hard to imagine how he could have had a worse Old Firm. If Diomande was failing to time his tackles then Lundstram wasn’t even getting close enough to make any as Celtic players were frequently left with all the time in the world on the edge of the Rangers box. O’Riley opened the scoring from that very spot with the Englishman walking aimlessly nearby. The own goal came after he found himself in no man’s land in his own box after struggling to track Kyogo’s run before he aimlessly passed it into his own net, then was dismissed for finally connecting with a challenge, but late and with his studs up, to give his teammates an uphill struggle in what may be his last act for the club before a summer exit.
Dujon Sterling – 8
Not extensively involved early out on the right but assisted Dessers by winning an important header at the back post. Played in nearly every position but the central midfield spot Rangers surely needed him in as Clement tried to respond and ended up as a very effective centre-back as he kept his side within one goal through the second period. May be the best player at Ibrox aside from Butland.
John Lundstram may have ended Ibrox career in ignominy
Tom Lawrence (off for Raskin ’60) – 5
Preferred to Todd Cantwell in attack he was unable to really justify that faith as he showed willing but nothing really came off in his hour on the pitch.
Fabio Silva (off for Wright ’74) – 7
Booed from the off after his penalty win at Ibrox and slammed for his recent behaviour ahead of kick off the Wolves loanee was arguably the only outfield player showing anything close to his best. Looked up for it early and swung in a dangerous ball that Sterling almost put away inside five minutes then went close himself shortly after, but messed up a golden chance with his head after getting the wrong side of Johnston to undercut a lot of good work.
Cyriel Dessers (off for Roofe ’83) – 6
Scored a goal with close to his only real involvement in the action. Climbed to nod past Joe Hart from close range but saw very little of the ball otherwise.
Substitutions
Ross McCausland (on for Souttar ’46) – 6
Decent performance but unable to make an incisive contribution in attack in the way that Abdallah Sima and Rabbi Matondo did in this fixture last month.
Nico Raskin (on for Lawrence ’60) – 7
His regression this season has been an unwelcome footnote at Ibrox but the Belgian’s introduction saw the first hint of control in the midfield in a very encouraging cameo. May have played his way into the side as the two starters ahead of him possibly played themselves out.
Ridvan Yilmaz (on for Barisic ’60) – 7
Slipped and fell over on his face the first time he was put under pressure defensively but rebounded to show some good threat going forward. Admittedly looked tired to perhaps explain his lack of start.
Scott Wright (on for Silva ’74) – 7
Showed the sort of intent that was lacking with an excellent run most of the length of the pitch soon after coming on as he injected some threat but wasn’t heavily involved thereafter.
Kemar Roofe (on for Dessers ’83) – 5
Little impact.
In other Rangers news, the Light Blues are ready to take advantage of a contract snub by snapping up a free agent target.
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