Our man Michael Gannon was at Ibrox to run the rule over Martin O’Neill’s comeback heroes
14:18, 01 Mar 2026Updated 16:50, 01 Mar 2026
Celtic emerged from Ibrox with a valuable point(Image: SNS Group)
Celtic looked down and out at Ibrox after a shambolic first-half threatened to destroy their title hopes.
But the Hoops came roaring back after the break to rescue a point that could prove so precious come the end of the season.
Youssef Chermiti wreaked havoc with a brace but the champions refused to give up as Kieran Tierney and Reo Hatate salvaged a draw to sicken the Rangers crowd.
Here, Record Sport delivers our player ratings.
Viljami Sinisalo: Didn’t look fazed by getting the nod in such a huge game, had no chance with the goals but always looked comfortable and capable when under the cosh. 6
Julian Araujo: Had a nightmare start and was guilty at both first half goals while his head was swimming but composed himself as the game wore on. 6
Dane Murray: Under severe pressure and buckled with his fresh air swipe when trying to defend the second goal before settling and then strong late on. 6
Liam Scales: Had it tough going against Chermiti and Naderi, with the Gers duo winning the physical battle at first before recovering. 6
Kieran Tierney: One of the few Celts up for the physical scrap, constantly trying to drive forward and then popping up with a cracking headed goal. 6
Callum McGregor: Badly exposed in the first half as Celtic were overpower but dragged himself and his side back into the game in outstanding second period. 7
Sebastian Tounekti played a super sub role(Image: SNS Group)
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Got swamped by the fixture from the off as the intensity seemed to take him by surprise. Often caught on the ball and replaced at the break. 3
Benjamin Nygren: Part of the problem in the first half but did much better after the break, getting into better areas and picking out Tierney for the goal. 6
Daizen Maeda: A shadow of the player who has tormented Gers in this fixture but still Celtic’s main threat and more so after the break, when he had a couple of huge chances with headers. 6
Yang Hyun-Jun: Couldn’t get a grip of the game going forward and didn’t exactly do his full back any favours going the other way either. 5
Junior Adamu: Surprise starter ahead of Cvancara but he struggled to win anything in the air or hold the ball up. Offered next to nothing and was off at half-time. 2
Subs
Sebastian Tounekti (for Adamu 46): Instantly gave his side more of a drive with his willingness to go at defenders and asked serious questions. 7
Reo Hatate (for Oxlade-Chamberlain 46): Changed the tone, adding more of an attacking impetus after the break and eventually levelled at the third bite from his penalty. 7
Luke McCowan (for Yang 74): Posed a threat coming off the right and had a big chance to slot a leveller that would have been similar to his Stuttgart strike. 5
Marcelo Saracchi (for Tierney 74): Provided a bit of bite on and off the ball in the closing spell as Celts searched for an equaliser. 4
James Forrest (for Nygren 85): Provided a spark and had a key role in hitting the byline in the build up to the late penalty. 4