It was a game that neither manager – for a variety of reasons - dared not lose at Ibrox. In the end, it was one that neither side could find a way to win.
As Old Firm encounters go, this was far from a classic. In truth, it was largely forgettable. Russell Martin will hope that it can be used as the line in the sand for Rangers and the occasion that his side can look back on as some form of turning point.
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The gap at the top of the table remains at six points. Rangers now have a chance to regroup and reflect during the international break. Before that, a hectic day of wheeling and dealing awaits.
Martin avoids more Ibrox noise
Three points from three Premiership games ensured that this fixture was placed in the ‘must-win’ category for Rangers. Every fixture carries that burden, of course, but Martin simply could not afford to sit nine behind. Even at this stage of the season, it would have been difficult to see Rangers coming back from that deficit.
Chairman Andrew Cavenagh met with the squad at Auchenhowie in an attempt to provide a sense of calm in a highly-charged situation, to reinforce that the plan in place will be worked through. The American was joined in the Director’s Box by Paraag Marathe as both men were given an insight into where Rangers are right now. More importantly, the questions are about where Rangers are heading remain.
Banners which read ‘Martin and Co. must go. Enough is enough’ were on display outside Ibrox and then unfurled in the stands. There were no other widespread signs of discontent, however. This was not the most electric that the stadium has been for a big fixture, but the anger and apathy that could have swept across Ibrox did not set in. There were boos at the whistle and as Martin headed up the tunnel.
A hectic final 24 hours of the transfer window awaits. The futures of Nico Raskin and Cyriel Dessers are the two most pressing matters, while others can still be trimmed from this squad. In terms of incomings, a centre-back, left-back and striker are needed.
Rangers did not play themselves out of the title race here. The final day of business will determine if they have the chance to play themselves into contention in the coming weeks.
Another uninspiring attacking display
It took half an hour for Rangers to cause Celtic a real problem. For all the possession and a bit more attacking intent, clear chances were hard to carve out. Rangers had the ball in the net, but a VAR check ruled out John Souttar’s header from a James Tavernier free-kick. At that stage, both teams had combined to have just five touches in the opposition area.
Rangers were the more accomplished side in the first half. That was not saying much, right enough. This had the look of a potentially uninspiring Old Firm before a ball was kicked and that played out.
Mikey Moore and Djeidi Gassama, switched to the right flank on the occasion, couldn’t influence proceedings despite their endeavours. The quality was just not there in the periods when Martin’s side were on top and a series of free-kicks and throw-ins failed to lead to scoring opportunities. The consensus at the interval was that Rangers were better than expected.
A Moore effort that was high and wide of target came as Rangers started the second half in the ascendancy. That momentum was not maintained and it became a difficult watch once again.
Rangers finished on the front foot. The goal did not come. It had never really looked like coming.
Celtic’s lack of quality evident
The need for attacking reinforcements at Parkhead was evident even before the unusual situation surrounding Adam Idah and his move to Swansea City. This was not a forward line that carried the threat of previous teams managed by Rodgers, or the ones that Ange Postecoglou brought with him across the city.
The defensive frailties of that Rangers side are well versed. The fear for supporters was that there would be too much space in behind and that Daizen Maeda would have the pace to exploit it. Maeda was flanked by new recruit Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Benjamin Nygren. Neither had the beating of their respective opponent on a regular basis.
There were moments when Rangers almost played themselves into trouble, with Nasser Djiga particularly nervy on the ball at times. In a low-quality affair, it looked like it would take a mistake rather than a piece of skill for the deadlock to be broken. Rangers were untroubled and Jack Butland was untested in the first half.
Butland saved from Reo Hatate – Celtic’s first strike on target - shortly after the break and then gathered a low effort from the midfielder. Kieran Tierney was denied after a bit of pinball in the Rangers area. That summed up all that this limited Celtic side could offer.
Raskin absence felt as Tavernier proves a point
The name of Raskin was the one that supporters looked out for first when the teams were released just before 11 o’clock. The Belgian was the noticeable absentee. Martin danced around the issue at his pre-match press conference on Friday before the Rangers Review reported that Raskin would not be involved in the squad. He was not even at Ibrox to hear the Union Bears start the chant of his name after 25 minutes.
Those who had hoped for a late change of heart were left disappointed. Raskin is now in the final hours of his Rangers career. When he does leave, he will need to be replaced. Rangers are a weaker squad and team without Raskin. Interestingly, it was Connor Barron who started rather than Joe Rothwell. That decision said everything about Rothwell’s form this term as Martin utilised Barron and Mohamed Diomande behind Thelo Aasgaard.
It was a trio that had the upper hand in the first half. Celtic have won that midfield battle so often in this fixture of late but Callum McGregor, Hatate and Arne Engels did not have that influence here. Diomande was given the Man of the Match award but Aasgaard was on the fringes throughout.
The other big call was at right-back. Again, a summer recruit was overlooked as Max Aarons missed out. Aarons simply could not start on the back of his red card in Brugges.
Tavernier has had more moments to forget in these fixtures than the rest of the team combined. This was not an afternoon to add to the list of ignominy, however. It was one which showed that the captain is still the right man at right-back.
Solid debut from Miovski
Miovski was confirmed as a Rangers player at midday on Saturday. Just 24 hours later, he was leading the line for Martin’s side. The quick turnaround was not an issue for Oliver Antman ahead of his debut against Viktoria Plzen and Miovski was backed to hit the ground running.
Appeals for a penalty seven minutes in were waved away. Miovski put himself about, leading the line with purpose. Yet he made more challenges in the first half than he had sights of goal. For all that the crowd would have been pleased with his energy, they needed to see him on the ball in the right areas.
A deft flick in midfield set Gassama free early in the second half. The North Macedonian continued his run into the area bout Gassama couldn’t pick him out from the right flank.
His debut came to an end after 71 minutes as Cyriel Dessers was introduced. It was a bow that the former Aberdeen forward could have been pleased with. The next few hours will determine who else Miovski is competing with for a start this term.
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