Rangers emerged triumphant despite Celtic having the majority of chances
Michael Stewart has highlighted the crucial difference that he believes separates Rangers and Celtic.
Steven Gerrard’s men took a 19-point lead in the title race on Saturday with a 1-0 win at Ibrox, despite being outplayed for the entire first half.
The momentum swung on 62 minutes when Nir Bitton was sent off for bringing down Alfredo Morelos, with the Israeli deemed guilty of denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Eight minutes later Callum McGregor inadvertently diverted a corner into his own goal and sealed a huge victory for the league leaders.
£5m summer signing Vasilis Barkas had no shots to save in the Celtic goal either side of that moment, while Allan McGregor made a number of stops on his 401st appearances for Rangers.
Leigh Griffiths was left shaking his head in the first half after McGregor somehow tipped his curling effort onto the post.
Former Scotland star Michael Stewart believes the quality in goal is a major factor behind the gulf between Glasgow’s rivals.
Speaking on BBC Sportsound, Stewart said: “He (McGregor) was absolutely top drawer, Allan McGregor is a top class keeper.
“That’s another stark contrast between the sides. Celtic have been scrambling around to see who their number one goalkeeper is.
“They’ve signed Barkas for almost £5m and he has simply not been good enough.
“He doesn’t make saves, he’s not an imposing character and he doesn’t breed confidence in the side, and that has permeated throughout the side.
“It’s been one of the sources of the problems they have had defensively. They’ve got a goalkeeper who isn’t commanding and doesn’t breed confidence.
“Rangers on the other hand, you look at Allan McGregor, he’s absolutely top drawer. He keeps Rangers in the game.
Odsonne) Edouard’s first one, he saves it and he’s offside on the second one but he doesn’t know that, and he jumps right back up and makes the save. The one from Griffiths that he deflects onto the post.
“Allan McGregor makes saves that make a difference to the game.”
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