It is a deflating feeling to lose an Old Firm derby, but to lose in such a manner like we did on Sunday was painful. I just hope the players and management feel the same.
The performance was absolutely woeful from start to finish. Gutless, uninspired and a distinct lack of basic ability. Seriously, not good enough.
Credit to Celtic though, the tempo of their play was unplayable for us at times and they pressed the game well forcing us into a number of errors. I was surprised that Ki didn't start the game but I suppose that's the difference in terms of squad depth.
We just didn't get started and a number of players were culpable of constantly giving the ball away - Edu in particular just seemed to give everything back to Celtic.
The opening goal on 16 minutes was terrible from a Rangers point of view. Steven Whittaker was 15-20 yards away from where he really should have been initially. You can't have one defender pressing high up the park leaving big gaps in behind if the rest of the defensive line is so deep. Commons gives it to Hooper who nips inside away from Weir and Bartley and then fires the ball under McGregor.
Izaguirre was at the heart of the second goal with a really nice cross for Hooper's finish, but the damage was done just a few seconds earlier when the majority of the team had pushed into Celtic's half and the ball is given away incredibly cheaply.
Still a long way to go in the season but the momentum is firmly with Celtic and the only way we'll compete until the end is if Smith makes a few big changes in that starting eleven and bring in some fresh blood.
Sadly, I don't see that happening.
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