Celtic and Rangers played out an intense Old Firm Derby at Saturday lunchtime, ending up with a 0-0 draw. Here are the best and worst performers.
Best: Scott Brown
When Rangers began the first half flying at a hundred miles an hour, most Celtic players ended up looking like deer’s in headlights. Not Scott Brown, however. The old warhorse has seen too much drama in Old Firm games over the years to be overawed by the impressive Rangers gambit.
All game long Brown was a bulwark in the middle of the pitch, breaking up Rangers attacks, first to every 50/50. He was the beating heart of Celtic’s resistance.
Worst: Alfredo Morelos
Morelos is top scorer in the Premiership, but goodness gracious you wouldn’t know it from watching the Old Firm Derby. Late in the second half, with Rangers playing more on the break, the Colombian was gifted with two glorious chances.
Both came in the air via crosses from the right-flank, the first he didn’t even have to jump. But somehow when he stooped to header the cross the ball flew straight at Craig Gordon who then made a great save (though he should have been given no chance by Morelos. And the second was such a shocking headed attempt that it didn’t even trouble Gordon, calmly dribbling wide.
Best: David Bates
It can’t be easy coming off the bench as a young player, especially into a game as intense as the Old Firm Derby. Yet when David Bates replaced an injured Bruno Alves against Celtic, Rangers lost none of their defensive solidity.
The redheaded centre-back put in a tremendous display, and was first to almost everything. He was voted man of the match and Rangers fans won’t have to worry about how they navigate the future without their injured Portuguese captain.
Worst: Niko Kranjcar
Rangers were always going to suffer without the brutal qualities of Ryan Jack in midfield, but with Niko Kranjcar playing in his place they really suffered. The Croatian veteran is just returning from injury and it showed and he gave the ball away repeatedly without really offering any quality with the ball. He’ll improve, but for this game, Celtic were glad he played.
Best: Wesley Foderingham
Celtic were definitely not glad that Foderingham played. The Rangers goalkeeper was in colossal form, especially in the first half, making a string of sensational diving saves to keep Celtic at bay.
Whilst Rangers played the better football in the first half with their impressive pressing attack, Celtic ended up having the better chances on the break and through set-pieces. Yet Foderingham was constantly on-hand to pull of phenomenal stops and keep Rangers clean sheet in tact. It was a masterclass of a display.
Worst: Scott Sinclair
Sinclair’s general performance for Celtic was actually fairly good. He was dynamic on the ball in the final third, making plenty of great runs and created danger. However whilst his crossing and passing was nice, his finishing was shocking.
Sinclair constantly whiffed on great chances, most egregiously at the end of the first half when, with Foderingham scrambling and unable to make a miracle save, he skewed his shot wide of the target.
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