How They Rated Rangers (from The Herald )

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How they rated: Rangers

GRAEME MACPHERSON

April 17 2008

Allan McGregor Not since Sly Stallone defied the Nazis in Escape to Victory has a goalkeeper performed so heroically while in excruciating pain. Made an outstanding penalty stop from McDonald while clearly struggling with an ankle injury before eventually succumbing to the pain and limping off. No wonder the ladies love him 7

Kirk Broadfoot Endured an uncomfortable evening. Required Whittaker's assistance to try to shackle McGeady's persistent probing and failed to offer any real contribution moving forward. An unfortunate booking summed up a night to forget before he was hooked at the break 5

Carlos Cuellar Rogan-esque moment of madness meant an early bath and took the shine off an otherwise robust and impressive performance. Had just about shaded it in an engaging duel with McDonald before leaving his team-mates to battle for half an hour with restricted numbers. Forthcoming suspension may hurt Rangers more 6

David Weir Job made easier by another anodyne performance from Vennegoor of Hesselink although losing his defensive partner to a red card and his goalkeeper to injury heaped further responsibility on his ageing shoulders. Rarely looked flustered in the midst of the mayhem until it all kicked off at full-time 6

Sasa Papac Solidly unspectacular display from the Bosnian international. Meandered forward occasionally to support McCulloch but looked most comfortable doing the defensive basics and sweeping up others' mistakes. Afforded Nakamura too much space at the opening goal 6

Steven Whittaker Spent most of the match running towards his own goal to try to track McGeady's runs rather than creating anything offensively. Reverted to full-back when Broadfoot was taken off at half-time and greatly nullified the threat of McGeady who became noticeably less influential as the match wore on 6

Barry Ferguson Hard to remember an Old Firm game in which the Rangers captain contributed as little as this although, in mitigation, he could do little with the succession of high balls that whizzed continually over his head. Missed the urgency of Kevin Thomson, suspended for this match, alongside him but was marginally more effective after Rangers drew level 6

Christian Dailly Had his hands full trying to contain the boisterousness of Robson, his input restricted to plenty of meaty tackling and much berating of the match officials. More effective at centre-half after Cuellar had been sent off as Celtic poured forward late in the game but was posted missing at the match winner 6

Steven Davis Rangers will do well to hold on to the energetic Northern Irishman whose drive and commitment helped carried his team through an otherwise lethargic first-half. Combined well with Novo after the break and regularly offered an out ball to his besieged defence 7

Lee McCulloch Typically boisterous performance that involved plenty of physique but next to no finesse. A persistent aerial threat but generated little for Darcheville or Novo to thrive upon. Little sign of the early-season impact that had seen him become such a pivotal figure for Walter Smith's men 5

Jean-Claude Darcheville Usual whirr of energy in attack although too often left in splendid isolation while his team-mates struggled to catch up as he dashed towards the Celtic goal. Finishing let him down whenever he escaped his markers, two first-half strikes causing more danger to the crowd than to Boruc 6

SUBSTITUTES

Nacho Novo Cometh the hour, cometh a small Spaniard. Added much-needed dynamism to a hitherto flat Rangers performance and executed an equaliser with a precise strike. Helped lift the whole team with his energy and exuberance 7

Neil Alexander Could hardly have asked for a tougher league debut, thrown on to try to quell Celtic's late surges after McGregor could continue no more. Left exposed at the winning goal 5

Daniel Cousin Late penalty shout aside, barely had time to make an impact. 5