Rangers player ratings as Cyriel Dessers miss proves pivotal before red card

Balogun is sent off (Image: PA)

The Rangers players rated in their 2-1 loss to Celtic at Parkhead.

Jack Butland: Had little to do outside of the two goals which were both top-class strikes that no keeper could be expected to keep out. 6

James Tavernier: Not the threat he usually is down the right flank and wasn’t given enough help by the inexperienced McCausland defensively. Not the captain’s best day at the office to say the least until he pinged home a stunning free kick from 30 yards in the 88th minute. 6

Ridvan Yilmaz: Suffered a shaky start but came into the game as it went on. Dealt with the threat of Maeda well and showed some flashes of skill throughout. 6

Connor Goldson: Defended well when called upon. No blame for Celtic’s goals fall at his feet. 6

Leon Balogun: He’s been excellent since coming back into the team under Philippe Clement but looked well below his usual levels. Rightly red-carded for hauling down Daizen Maeda when he got ahead of him in a foot race towards goal. A match the Nigerian will wish to forget. 4

John Lundstram: The midfielder did fine in the engine room and the game wasn’t lost in this area. Subbed off after 77 minutes. 6

READ MORE: Rangers penalty denial vs Celtic explained by Sky’s live VAR feed

Dujon Sterling: Won his battles on the day and continues to look a revelation in central midfield. There are shades of Calvin Bassey about the way he’s adapted to a new role and suddenly excelled. Hard to see him shifted from this new position when others come back. 7

Todd Cantwell: Found good positions but couldn’t find the killer pass. His Old Firm appearances have been marked by his failure to make an impact when it counts. A good player on his day but flattering to deceive in the biggest games will only ever be tolerated for so long in Govan. 5

Abdallah Sima: His worst game in a while. A poor defensive header teed up Paulo Bernardo for Celtic’s opener and another whose match was blighted by unsteady decision-making in the final third. Subbed off with a head injury after an unpunished elbow by already booked Alistair Johnston. 5

Ross McCausland: The young winger is a real prospect and is a live wire going forward. Defensively thought, he has a lot to learn. Left Tavernier exposed at times during the first half. Went close with a couple of shots but faded as the game went on. Still looks a fair bit short physically in these games. 5

Cyriel Dessers: The striker has benefitted from improved fitness and he pressed and harried for his team throughout. Unfortunately for Rangers, his finishing, control and positioning all remain erratic and his failure to pull the trigger when through one one-on-one with Joe Hart allowed Alistair Johnston time to close him down. He’s never going to be good enough to hold down the Rangers’ No. 9 jersey. 4

Kieran Dowell: On for Cantwell after 65 minutes. Worked his socks off in the middle but not much quality to speak of. 3

Scott Wright: On for Sima after a head knock forced the Senegalese off. 3

John Souttar: On to shore up the defence after Balogun’s red. Booked. 2