Artur Boruc For once not at
the centre of any controversy
in another heated Old Firm encounter. Failed at the one serious question asked of him, namely to keep out Novo's
angled drive, although it was virtually past him before he
could move. Biggest danger
in the first half came from Darcheville's flying boot rather than any Rangers shots 6
Andreas Hinkel Steady performance from the German who looks more and more like
a shrewd signing with each passing game. Battled well with the more powerful McCulloch
in the air and offered a threat moving forward too. Rarely
tested defensively as Rangers failed to beat a regular path
to the Celtic goal-line 7
Gary Caldwell Much-maligned defender can take credit for
his role in the winning goal deep
into stoppage time. Rangers' persistence with a 4-1-4-1
formation meant he and
McManus could share the
task of babysitting Darcheville although, in truth, there was
little for either to do 6
Stephen McManus Coped
well with the pace of Darcheville and the aerial threat of McCulloch.
A regular presence in the opposition box for corners and
free kicks but got little change from Cuellar and Weir in an attacking sense. His spat at
full-time with his opposite
number Ferguson demonstrated just what the victory meant
for him 6
Lee Naylor Scarcely troubled defensively due to Whittaker's regular back-tracking, allowing him the space to amble
occasionally forward to add his presence to the Celtic attack.
A back injury, however, resulted
in him being replaced by Wilson
at half-time 6
Shunsuke Nakamura
Outrageous banana shot deceived McGregor for the opening goal
and it was his goalbound strike that prompted Cuellar to throw up a hand to concede Celtic's penalty. Aside from those two pivotal moments, though, it was hard
to recall the Japanese creating anything else from open play 6
Barry Robson Elbow into
Dailly in first minute signalled
his heart for the battle and he
put in a productive shift in central midfield in place of the suspended Scott Brown. In-swinging corners caused endless problems before he was sacrificed, to universal disapproval by the home hordes,
to allow Samaras to add his not insubstantial weight to the
Celtic attack 7
Paul Hartley Needed to be dominant in central midfield
and came out on top in the heavyweight battle with
Ferguson. Offered a protective shield to his defence that allowed Robson the freedom to motor forward. Early booking could
have blunted his edge but he responded responsibly 7
Aiden McGeady Celtic's most creative outlet. Had to cope with the twin presence of Broadfoot
and Whittaker in the first half
but still managed to send in a number of tantalising crosses. Faded after the break when Whittaker dropped back to
full-back but was still able to
add a contribution whenever
he received the ball 7
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink Will steal the headlines and the glory after his late winner but in truth it was his first meaningful contribution to the match.
A clumsy first touch denied him
an early chance to test McGregor and it would prove symptomatic
of his performance overall before his late, late intervention 6
Scott McDonald Penalty miss and first-half dive aside, the Australian put in a productive
shift against Cuellar and Weir.
His tenacity often carried Celtic forward into dangerous areas,
one first half shot testing McGregor at his near post.
His assist for Vennegoor of Hesselink's late winner made amends for spot kick blunder 7
SUBSTITUTES
Mark Wilson Half-time replacement for Naylor was
twice culpable at Novo's
equalising goal, coming out second-best in a 50:50 tussle
and then left floundering as
the Spaniard dashed past him 5
Georgios Samaras Thrown
on after McDonald's penalty
miss and passed up a golden chance to put his side back in
front but couldn't direct his
header on target 5
Sport
INDEX
