Mark Warburton’s Ibrox side Glasgow Rangers lost to Celtic again on Sunday.
Mark Warburton’s Rangers missed the chance to avenge last month’s 5-1 defeat by Celtic after losing to their Old Firm enemies again on Sunday.
Moussa Dembele’s clever finish on 87 minutes was enough as Celtic edged out the Gers to reach the final of the Scottish League Cup final at Hampden Park in November.
Despite the 1-0 scoreline, it was relatively comfortable for the Hoops in a somewhat one-sided affair which saw Warburton’s side struggle to create much going forward.
Dembele and Scott Sinclair threatened, after wreaking havoc on Warburton’s defence in the 5-1 mauling back in September, while second-half substitute Leigh Griffiths – who set up the goal – also looked a handful when he came on.
But the 54-year-old manager has identified two other Celtic lads who were dangerous, singling out left-back Kieran Tierney and James Forrest for their contributions to the cause on Sunday afternoon.
“We have to recognise in Tierney and Forrest they had two players who made a dangerous combination,” he told Rangers TV. “But we got forward as well and we were brave.”
The scoreline suggests that Rangers have improved a little since what happened at Parkhead in the Premiership, and they have, but there is still a big gulf in quality between both sides and recruits are needed in January.
It would have been far more comfortable for Brendan Rodgers’s side if not for Rangers goalkeeper Matt Gilks, who pulled off a flurry of fine saves to keep his side in it.
Celtic’s Moussa Dembele celebrates scoring their first goal
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