In a thrilling encounter at Ibrox, Rangers kept their championship aspirations alive with a pulsating 3-3 draw against Celtic on Sunday, the 7th of April.
Daizen Maeda and Matt O’Riley found the net for the visitors, establishing a commanding lead, but goals from James Tavernier and Abdallah Sima orchestrated a late resurgence for the hosts. Adam Idah’s late strike seemed to seal the win for Celtic until Rabbi Matondo’s stoppage-time screamer salvaged a crucial point for Rangers.
Football Insider meticulously evaluates the performances of the Rangers players on the pitch at Ibrox:
- Jack Butland [Rating: 8]
- Despite Tavernier’s early goal, which Butland couldn’t prevent, the goalkeeper showcased his prowess with remarkable saves throughout the game. Butland’s performance, where he made four crucial stops and maintained a 53% pass completion rate, caught the attention of England manager Gareth Southgate, present at the match.
- James Tavernier
- Tavernier had a shaky start, inadvertently conceding an early goal, but redeemed himself by scoring a penalty. However, his defensive displays were not flawless, winning only five out of 11 duels.
- John Souttar [Rating: 3]
- Souttar struggled alongside Goldson in defense, contributing to the team’s defensive vulnerabilities.
- Dujon Sterling [Rating: 6]
- Unexpectedly starting at left-back over Barisic, Sterling displayed determination in supporting the attack and diligently won 11 ground duels.
- Mohammed Diomande [Rating: 6]
- Diomande stood out for his fighting spirit, making significant defensive contributions with three tackles and an interception.
- Fabio Silva [Rating: 6]
- Despite criticism for simulation, Silva put in a mixed performance, receiving a yellow card for diving before VAR awarded a penalty overturning the decision.
- Cyriel Dessers [Rating: 4]
- Struggled to make a significant impact for Rangers, with his apparent equalizer disallowed by VAR due to a foul in the build-up.
- Substitutes
- Abdallah Sima [Rating: 7]: Made a notable impact after coming on at halftime, troubling the Celtic defense.
- Rabbi Matondo [Rating: 7]: Became the hero with a brilliant stoppage-time goal that salvaged a crucial point for Rangers.
Incomplete assessments due to limited playing time:
- Todd Cantwell
- Kieran Dowell
- Leon Balogun
Rangers’ dramatic performance in the derby clash showcased a mix of standout displays and areas for improvement as they continue their pursuit of the championship title.
