Alex McLeish’s job is hanging by a thread and this result won’t have done him any favours.
Rangers didn’t put up much of a fight in this match and were outclassed by Celtic for most of the game. Celtic were playing a classy passing game while Rangers could hardly string two passes together.
The scoring was opened on 26 minutes with a superb goal from Celtic youngster Shaun Maloney. The young striker noticed Stefan Klos off his line and superbly curled a shot into the top corner of the net from 30 yards.
Although Klos was off his line, some would argue that even if he had been on the line he wouldn’t have saved it as it was right in the top corner.
Rangers brought Lovenkrands on for Bernard at half-time but the winger had no affect whatsoever as Celtic dominated the game.
Sotiris Kyrgiakos was sent off for a second yellow card in the 66th minute. A very harsh decision in my opinion, the first booking was for a tackle which I felt he won fair and square. The second yellow was ridiculous as Soti clapped his hands and the ref seen it as provoking the crowd.
Celtic took full advantage of having the extra man and in the end could’ve scored four or five but they only got the one more goal and it was an own goal from Stefan Klos who seemed to take his eye of the ball as Bobo Balde came towards him.
Player Ratings
Stefan Klos 5/10
Perhaps he is a bit rusty after being out for so long but had a bit of a nightmare here which is unlike him. Was caught off his line for the first goal and took his eye of the ball for the second.
Alan Hutton 6/10
Quiet game for the youngster but didn’t do anything wrong.
Olivier Bernard 5/10
Was unlucky to taken off at half-time but Alex McLeish was obviously making a tactical change.
Julien Rodriguez 8/10
His best performance so far, went off with a hamstring injury in the second half.
Sotiris Kyrgiakos 6/10
Unlucky to be sent off, very harsh refereeing indeed.
Hamed Namouchi 5/10
Needs to give more effort.
Fernando Ricksen 6/10
Quiet game, is struggling to find any form this season.
Barry Ferguson 6/10
Didn’t control the game like he is capable of doing.
Ian Murray 6/10
Average showing.
Dado Prso 7/10
Bags of energy as usual and as always gave 100% but wasn’t as affective as usual.
Steven Thompson 5/10
Replaced by Jeffers early in the second half.
Peter Lovenkrand 3/10
Can’t remember him even touching the ball in the second half.
Francis Jeffers 4/10
Not good enough.
Solid enough after he came on.
Manager Rating
Another nail in the coffin for Alex McLeish who is under immense pressure at the moment.
Some think he won’t even be here by the time the next game comes around on November 19th.
Opponent Rating
After a horrible start to his Celtic career, wee Gordon Strachan seems to be doing a brilliant job with Celtic and he has them playing some good football.