Rangers Vs Celtic: Super Eagles trio suffer derby blow

Fresh from the heartache of missing out on the Qatar 2022 World Cup, the Super Eagles trio of Leon Balogun, Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey were dealt another hammer on Sunday.

The trio were left helpless as Cameron Carter-Vickers produced the winning strike in the Glasgow derby as Celtic increased their lead at the top of the Premiership table to six points with a 2-1 win at Ibrox over Rangers.

Aaron Ramsey did give the hosts the lead after three minutes, but as has been shown throughout the season, Ange Postecoglou’s side reacted to the early adversity, with first half goals from Tom Rogic and then Carter-Vickers earning a vital three points on the road.

When derby day comes there’s always the prospect of a fast and fiery encounter and in the first 10 minutes at Ibrox, that certainly was the case. Rangers took the lead inside three minutes when Ryan Kent was played in behind Josip Juranovic and his cutback found Aaron Ramsey in the area and he swept the ball left-footed beyond Joe Hart into the right of the goal.

However, just four minutes later, Rogic had the game back on level terms. Callum McGregor did brilliantly to create space down the right wing and cut the ball back to Rogic in the box. His shot was blocked into the path of Reo Hatate on the edge of the box and his effort was parried by Allan McGregor into the path of Rogic who side-footed home from close-range.

Ange Postecoglou’s team were starting to get more of a foothold in the game after early pressure from the hosts and they were beginning to create a number of chances to show for their efforts.

Rogic went close to adding his second on 25 minutes, blazing over the bar from a good position inside the box after great play from Greg Taylor on the left wing to create the opportunity.

The Australian was at the heart of all of the best opportunities and on 36 minutes he was inches away from making it 2-1. Allan McGregor spilled the ball into the midfielder’s path after stopping Maeda’s advancing run and with the goal at his mercy his effort was blocked by a Rangers defender just as it looked to be heading into the back of the net.

Two minutes later, Maeda was played through on goal and had strong shouts for a penalty waved away as he was taken down by Allan McGregor.

However, it wouldn’t matter as on 42 minutes, the Hoops finally had the lead their play deserved.

An inswinging free-kick from Jota found the head of Carl Starfelt and his header was nodded into the path of Carter-Vickers and the centre half powered home a left foot drive for his fourth goal of the season and the lead at half time.

After a frantic start to the match and a frantic a finish to the first 45 minutes, the second period didn’t start with that same ferocious pace.

Protecting a lead is not within the manager’s nature and the Celts were positive in the opening 20 minutes of the half. However, neither team were creating any opportunities to test the goalkeepers.

With the home side on the hunt for a way back into the match, it was inevitable they would push forward for the equalising goal, but whenever called upon the defensive unit stood firm, throwing their bodies on the line to block anything coming towards goal.

On 75 minutes, Rangers did eventually breach the Celtic defence as Fashion Sakala had an effort on target, but Hart responded expertly, getting down low to stop the ball squeezing into his bottom left corner.

As Rangers pushed for an equaliser, space was opening at the other end and Liel Abada - with his first touches after coming on as a substitute - was played through on goal but with only McGregor to beat he put his effort wide of the right-post with 12 minutes to play.

Then just three minutes later, Abada was the man again to go close, this time McGregor produced a flying stop to keep the ball out after his first time effort on the penalty spot looked to be nestling into the top of the net but for the keeper’s reaction.

However, it wouldn’t be necessary as the Celts held out for the derby victory to send the 700 Celtic fans in the corner of Ibrox home in jubilant mood.