After what will go down as one of the classic Old Firm derby days in recent history, Kris Boyd crowned one Rangers star the “king of Ibrox” even though the Gers were denied all three points.
Hatate rescues Old Firm point against Rangers
As if even possible, there seemed to be an extra bite to the Old Firm derby. Both Rangers and Celtic have not enjoyed the season they had been hoping for. Both have sacked managers and both find themselves behind shock leaders Hearts in the race to win the Scottish Premiership.
It’s Rangers who have shown the most impressive form, however. Ahead of the derby, Danny Rohl’s side hadn’t lost in six games and that run included a frantic 4-2 victory over Hearts.
That form was very much on show inside the first-half. The Gers swarmed their rivals and deservedly opened the scoring in sensational fashion.
For all the criticism that he has received at times this season, no one can deny that Yousseff Chermiti is a big game player. He netted a brace against Celtic earlier this season, a hat-trick against Hearts last month, and saved his best goal of the season for the Old Firm at Ibrox.
His first effort was sensational, but what came next highlighted just how composed the former Everton man is on the big occasion. The forward looked like he had all the time in the world as he gathered possession past Julian Araujo before finishing with ease. 2-0 up, Celtic looked down and out.
Birthday boy Martin O’Neill soon brought the changes, however, and Kieran Tierney’s header ensured that Celtic were no longer against the ropes – they were doing the big hitting.
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A late handball by Dujon Sterling then gave Reo Hatate the chance to have the final sat and he did just that, following up his penalty twice after Jack Butland’s save to bundle home the last-gasp equaliser.
On a day started by Chermiti’s brilliance and ended by Hatate’s fortune, it was Hearts who came out the true winners. They now sit six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Kris Boyd crowns Chermiti “king of Ibrox”
Amid all the drama, Boyd reserved special praise for Rangers’ goalscorer. Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Gers star crowned Chermiti the “king of Ibrox” after an “unbelievable” display in the Old Firm derby.
“[Chermiti’s opener] was unbelievable. It is brilliant from Skov Olsen, just dinking it into an area, not looking to pick anyone out. Just put it into an area and something will happen.
“The connection is so clean to get the power on it. It is incredible, the height he gets up to as well. What a finish that is. Wow. Right now, he is the King of Ibrox.”
After Celtic’s fightback, Chermiti’s performance will be easy to forget. Yet again, however, he stepped up on the biggest stage for Rangers and is continuing to prove doubters wrong.