The 4th Official
·2 January 2023
The 4th Official
·2 January 2023
High-flying Celtic were expecting a sterner test this afternoon when they travelled to Ibrox to clash heads with Rangers. A nine-point cushion at the top of the standings could have had reduced to six with a defeat. But they avoided the same, thanks to a late equalizer from Kyogo Furuhashi.
Joe Hart: 6.5
Made a few decent saves, but the veteran Englishman could have done little to stop either goal. His distribution and long balls were not up to the mark as well.
Alistair Johnston: 6.5
Was handed a debut ahead of Josip Juranovic. Was outdone completely by Ryan Kent during the Rangers equalizer, but the Canada international did well overall in such a high-profile encounter.
Cameron Carter-Vickers: 7
Commanded the game from the heart of the backline except for a few nervy occasions. Played it out from the back to script swift transitions.
Carl Starfelt: 6
Fouled Fashion Sakala inside the box which led to a Rangers spot-kick. Was clumsy with his tackles, but the Swedish centre-half made quite a few no-nonsense clearances and crucial interceptions.
Greg Taylor: 6
Started the game brightly but he could not continue for long following an injury sustained early into the contest. Josip Juranovic replaced the Scotsman around the 21st-minute mark.
Daizen Maeda
Callum McGregor: 7
A routine display from the skipper who worked hard to dominate possession and pull the strings from his deep-lying midfield role.
Matt O’Riley: 6.5
Not his best game in Celtic colours as the midfield ace got dispossessed twice and failed with his long passes. Was not creative enough as a ‘number 8’, and therefore, made way for Aaron Mooy around the hour mark.
Reo Hatate: 7.5
Was lively with his box-to-box runs. Went for the second ball, won the majority of duels and exhibited his all-round ability before making way for Giorgos Giakoumakis late in the match.
James Forrest: 6
Tried his best to collect the ball from the deep and stage attacking threats. But he lacked the impact high up the pitch which resulted in a substitution around the hour mark. Liel Abada replaced him down the flank.
Daizen Maeda: 8
Was smart enough to find the net minutes after the kick-off. Showed high work ethic from the wide and created an array of opportunities before leaving the pitch for Filipe Jota.
Kyogo Furuhashi: 7.5
Was having a tough time high up the pitch. But his exquisite poaching trait saved Celtic when the Japanese sensation fired in during the closing minutes of the Old Firm derby.
Josip Juranovic: 6
Should have defended better against Sakala who kept him on his toes.
Liel Abada: 6.5
Was smart with his runs and link-up play from the flank.
Aaron Mooy: 6.5
Played his part in the build-up of the dramatic equalizer.
Filipe Jota: 6.5
Played too little to warrant a rating.