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Celtic striker Adam Idah scored a second-half equaliser to deny Rangers a third successive Old Firm derby triumph in a 1-1 William Hill Premiership draw at Ibrox.
Rangers looked well placed to make it three wins in a row over Brendan Rodgers’ newly crowned champions when Cyriel Dessers struck just before the break.
But Irish striker Idah hit back to seize a share of the spoils, ensuring the Ibrox side have now gone six games in a row without a victory in all competitions.
But were there any glimmers of hope among the boys in Light Blue? And was the gulf between the sides in the league table reflected by the performance of the visitors? Here, Mail Sport’s CALUM CROWE rates the individual performances on display in Glasgow’s south side.
Idah salutes the crowd after hauling his side level in the second half
Dessers’ goal just before the interval was the striker’s first involvement of any note
Neil Warnock was an interested observer in the stand at Ibrox… but who caught his eye?
RANGERS
LIAM KELLY — 6
Distribution was nervy at times as his passes put Rangers under pressure but made amends with a couple of good saves.
JAMES TAVERNIER — 5
Another poor performance from the Rangers captain in an Old Firm fixture. Lacked energy and his passing was slack.
JOHN SOUTTAR — 6.5
Solid in the air and dealt with most danger. But Idah’s shot deflected off him and flew into the net for Celtic equaliser in second half.
LEON BALOGUN — 7
Playing with a face mask on and clipped the top of the bar with a header inside the first minute. Brilliant recovery tackle on Forrest.
JEFTE — 5
Struggled to deal with the threat out wide as Rangers’ shape left him exposed and without cover. Never settled into the game at all.
John Souttar clears a dangerous cross before Idah can threaten
NICO RASKIN — 8
Involved in a couple of scuffles with McGregor. Looked like he had headed opening goal but ruled out for offside. A good shift overall.
CONNOR BARRON — 7.5
A bundle of energy in central midfield. Set the tone for Rangers early and snapped into some good tackles.
MOHAMED DIOMANDE — 8
Bossed the midfield along with Raskin. Definitely a player worth building around heading into next season.
NEDIM BAJRAMI — 5
Given the freedom to roam and play in behind the striker but this was another game which totally passed him by. Simply not good enough.
Man-in-the-mask Leon Balogun helps Dessers celebrate his opening strike
VACLAV CERNY — 5
Was guilty of giving the ball away with slack passes on too many occasions. Looked furious when he was subbed off midway through second half.
CYRIEL DESSERS — 7
Was having a quiet game until he popped up just before half-time to score the opening goal. Showed good composure on his left foot.
Substitutes: Igamane (Cerny 66), Hagi (Bajrami 66), Rice (Hagi 83), Danilo (Diomande 90). Not used: Butland, Cortes, Kasanwirjo, McCausland, Nsiala.
Booked: Rice 88.
MANAGER: Barry Ferguson — 6.5
Still hasn’t won a game at Ibrox, but one win and one draw from two games against Celtic allows him to leave with his head held high in summer.
Barry Ferguson urges his side to show more passion
CELTIC
VILJAMI SINISALO — 7
First taste of the Old Firm derby. Tipped over a deflected shot from Cerny in first half. Good save to deny Raskin late in the game.
ANTHONY RALSTON — 6.5
Always made himself available for the ball out wide but never really threatened Rangers with his delivery.
CAMERON CARTER-VICKERS — 7.5
Bulleted a header towards goal in first half which was tipped over by Kelly. Dominant in any 50-50 challenges.
Greg Taylor competes for a high ball with James Tavernier
LIAM SCALES — 6
Couldn’t get near Dessers as the Rangers striker held him off to tuck away the opening goal. Not his best day overall.
GREG TAYLOR — 6
Tucked in to midfield and tried to create an overload with Maeda against Tavernier. Passing was slack in the second half.
ARNE ENGELS — 6.5
Caused problems in the first half when he drifted out wide into the half-spaces but he faded before being replaced by Bernardo.
CALLUM MCGREGOR — 7
Lucky to escape a booking when he lunged in late on Raskin. Held things together well enough and also played some decent passes.
Mohamed Diomande finds the going tough on this occasion up against McGregor and Engels
REO HATATE — 7
Played a couple of incisive passes in behind the Rangers defence but forwards ahead of him failed to apply the finish.
JAMES FORREST — 6.5
The evergreen winger continued his run of recent starts after Kuhn failed to make it. Couple of bright moments but was replaced by Yang.
ADAM IDAH — 7
Went through one-on-one in closing stages of first half but shot was saved by Kelly. Lashed the ball past Kelly for 1-1.
DAIZEN MAEDA — 7
Nipped in behind Tavernier and burrowed his way in from the left in the move which saw Idah fire the equaliser. Great chance at the end but couldn’t score.
Idah’s shot on goal is blocked by Souttar as the sides battled to a score draw
Substitutes: Bernardo (Engels 63), Yang (Forrest 63), Schlupp (Taylor 79), Kenny (Idah 83). Not used: Bain, McArdle, McCowan, Nawrocki, Trusty.
Booked: Kenny 90.
MANAGER: Brendan Rodgers — 6.5
Will finish the season with only one win in four league matches against Rangers. Team looked blunt in attack.
