Celtic’s never-say-die spirit reminds Michael Beale just how big the task ahead of him will be at Rangers
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Rangers 2-2 Celtic (Maeda 5′, Kyogo 88′ | Kent 47′, Tavernier PEN 53′)
Kyogo Furuhashi’s late equaliser denied Michael Beale a famous victory in his first Old Firm in charge of Rangers as Celtic took another step closer to the title.
Beale made a huge call in naming Alfredo Morelos in his starting XI at the expense of Antonio Colak, and it was one that bore immediate consequence with the Colombian’s stray pass across the defence finding its way to Daizen Maeda, who beat James Tavernier with a touch and produced a cool finish past Allan McGregor.
Maeda, one of the stars of Japan’s unlikely run to the last 16 of the World Cup, continued where he left off in Qatar and terrorised Rangers’ defence. After handing Celtic the lead after just five minutes, he nearly doubled it with a superb cross from the left that James Forrest could not quite reach.
If Rangers had been the masters of their own downfall, with Borna Barisic needlessly giving away possession and almost giving away another, Joe Hart matched them with a moment of complacent dawdling that allowed Morelos to snatch the ball and set up Ryan Kent’s effort that the former England goalkeeper was able to tip over the bar.
Hart’s error seemed to revitalise the hosts, Morelos missing with a free header from a corner but swinging the momentum firmly into Rangers’ favour going into the break, so much so that Kent’s equaliser straight after half-time felt inevitable.
It was a goal which have caused just as much alarm in west London as in Glasgow; Chelsea target Josip Juranovic, the Croatian international the Blues have identified as Reece James’ replacement and who came on as an early substitute for the injured Greg Taylor, was hopelessly out of position for a long ball up the pitch that found Fashion Sakala. Kent was waiting on the left and cut inside before curling his effort past Hart.
Alistair Johnston was making his debut at right-back after signing from CF Montreal last month, leaving Juranovic out of position on the other flank. And almost the same combination followed for Rangers’ second, Juranovic passed by Sakala who was brought down by Carl Starfelt. Tavernier’s penalty into the roof of the net was unstoppable.
From there, Celtic struggled to find a response until Aaron Mooy wriggled through to set up Kyogo from inside the box, Rangers paying the price for ball-watching.
The gap is still nine points, with Rangers in second – and while there were plenty of positives for Beale, Rangers come away having squandered an opportunity, and with no illusions as to how much work there is to do to seriously challenge again.