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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Michael Gannon

Celtic player ratings as Jota shines in derby ding dong

It was a tight encounter between Celtic and Rangers at Parkhead as Fashion Sakala's strike cancelled out Jota's first half opener.

The result puts Ange Postecoglou 's side within four points of the Premiership title with three games to go.

Should Celtic regain the league bragging rights it would be their 10th title in 11 seasons.

And with a favourable goal difference, victory over Hearts next week could all but seal the glory.

Record Sport looks at how the players rated during the hard fought draw with their Glasgow rivals.

JOE HART : Didn’t have much to do for large spells but will be gutted at the leveller as keepers don’t like getting beaten at their near post. But showed he’s a big player. Made a huge save moments later when Gers threatened to spin the game on its axis and another late on. 7

ANTHONY RALSTON : Got let off the hook early on when he got caught napping by Ryan Kent but settled in to the game. Gave Celts some much needed steel and got up the pitch to allow Jota to target Barisic on the flank. 7

CAMERON CARTER-VICKERS : Gave Celtic the physically needed to deal with Aribo playing in a more central role. The centre back looked comfortable and dominated any aerial challenges and was more interested in stepping in to be part of the play. Dug deep late on. 7

CARL STARFELT : Looked comfortable from the start and strong at the end. Cool on the ball when building and he managed to divert any trouble that came his way. Recovered well from a loss ball out to deny a Sakala break. The busier he is, the better he gets. 7

GREG TAYLOR : Played a really disciplined role as he knew Tavernier was a bit threat in front to him. Kept an eye on the Gers skipper and allowed Maeda up top to have a big influence at the other end. In top form at the business end of the season. 7

CALLUM MCGREGOR : Led by example. Sat deep in the first quarter of the game as Rangers pushed and he was the one holding firm and shielding his defence. Then got the chance to build possession and wrestle control. Held drag side over the line. 8

REO HATATE : It might just be because he admitted himself he is tired but he looked a tad jaded again. The pace of the game caught him by surprise but was quality in the moments when he did get more than a second to get his head up. 6

MATT O'RILEY : It took him some time to get a grip of the frantic early pace set by Gers but eventually grew in to the game. Showed some neat touches in tight spaces and had an impressive spell just before half time. Tired after the beak and was replaced. 6

JOTA : Struggled to get much of a sniff in the early exchanges and then did what he does best. The Portuguese drifted in off the back post to fire Celtic ahead. From that point he was a constant threat, taking on Barisic and curling cute crosses for others to attack. 8

DAIZEN MAEDA : Touch and burst of pace was brilliant to burst open the Gers defence to tee up Jota to open the scoring. Never stopped running, either down the channels or even back in defence. Should have had a couple of goals though with a couple of sitters. 7

KYOGO FURUHASHI : Didn’t get on the ball as much as he would have wanted but put in a selfless shift up top. He was the one trying to drag defenders out of position to create space for others. He also helped get his side up the pitch at times. 7

Subs

NIR BITTON : (for Hatate 61) Gave his team another defensive shield when the pressure was coming on from Rangers. Didn’t quite find his feet. 4

TOM ROGIC : (for O’Riley 61) Showed some neat feet to spring a few breaks but was on the back foot in the final few minutes. 4

GIORGOS GIAKOUMAKIS : (for Kyogo 61) Tried to throw his weight around and occupy defenders. Got booked after a series of fouls. 4

LIEL ABADA : (for Maeda 78) Gave Celts a pacy outball and it nearly paid off when he burst through late on. 4

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