Rangers 2-2 Celtic: Player Ratings as Youssef Chermiti scores wonder goal | OneFootball

Rangers 2-2 Celtic: Player Ratings as Chermiti Brilliance Meets Hatate Drama

Rangers and Celtic served up another breathless chapter in the Scottish Premiership title race, drawing 2-2 in front of 50,129 at Ibrox Stadium. For long spells this felt like a defining afternoon, then it twisted again, and again.

Youssef Chermiti lit the blue touchpaper inside eight minutes. The striker’s overhead kick, instinctive and emphatic, had Ibrox rising as one. It was the sort of finish that alters the temperature in the ground and forces opponents to question their defensive structure. Celtic, with a reshuffled back line, were rattled.

By the 26th minute it was 2-0. A hesitant clearance from Dane Murray invited pressure and Chermiti obliged. Slipping between Julian Araujo and Viljami Sinisalo, deputising for the unwell Kasper Schmeichel, the Portuguese forward showed sharp feet and sharper intent. Rangers were clinical, direct and utterly convinced.

At half time, 2-0 reflected that conviction.

Chermiti Takes Centre Stage

There was a familiarity to Chermiti’s movement, his appetite for second balls, his willingness to attack space before it fully formed. Assisted by Andreas Skov Olsen for the opener, he looked every inch the focal point Rangers have craved. Nicolas Raskin and Tochi Chukwuani pressed intelligently behind him, ensuring Celtic could not settle.

Photo: IMAGO

For Celtic, the first half was about survival. Callum McGregor tried to steady possession, Liam Scales attempted to marshal the line, yet Rangers were swarming and decisive. The home side sensed vulnerability and attacked it.

Celtic Rally Changes Complexion

Martin O’Neill altered the rhythm at the interval, introducing Reo Hatate and Sebastian Tounekti. The effect was immediate. Celtic began to play higher, quicker, braver.

The lifeline arrived in the 56th minute. Benjamin Nygren delivered with precision and Kieran Tierney powered home a header that shifted momentum. Suddenly Rangers were retreating, Jack Butland called into action to deny Daizen Maeda and Luke McCowan.

The closing stages were frantic. Maeda was thwarted by an extraordinary Butland save from point blank range. Yet VAR intervened, Dujon Sterling penalised for handball in the build up. Hatate stepped forward. Butland saved the penalty, then the rebound, but Hatate reacted fastest, bundling in at 90+1 minutes.

It finished 2-2, though it felt like far more than a draw.

Title Race Implications and Player Ratings

The result leaves Rangers six points behind leaders Hearts, with Celtic two further back but holding a game in hand. In a season already tight, this point may echo loudly in May.

Below are the full Player Ratings from Ibrox.

Rangers Player Ratings

Jack Butland 7Dujon Sterling 6John Souttar 6Emmanuel Fernandez 6Tuur Rommens 6Nicolas Raskin 7Tochi Chukwuani 7Andreas Skov Olsen 8Mikey Moore 7Ryan Naderi 6Youssef Chermiti 9

Celtic Player Ratings

Viljami Sinisalo 6Julian Araujo 7Dane Murray 6Liam Scales 7Kieran Tierney 7Benjamin Nygren 8Callum McGregor 7Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 6Hyun-Jun Yang 6Daizen Maeda 6Chukwubuike Adamu 6