Bhoys intensify striker search amid Daizen Maeda woe – Celtic winners and losers vs Rangers
Celtic drew 0-0 with bitter rivals Rangers in the first Old Firm Derby of the Scottish Premiership season on Sunday.
Brendan Rodgers’ men were eager to beat a struggling Light Blues outfit, however Celtic were held to a 0-0 draw at Ibrox on 31 August.
The Bhoys will be determined to get back to winning ways when they face Kilmarnock in their next league game on 14 September.
But which players impressed when Celtic drew with Rangers, and who endured a poor afternoon at the office?
Celtic winners v Rangers
Liam Scales
For spells of the Old Firm clash at Ibrox, particularly in the first half, Rangers looked the more dangerous of the two sides.
However, central defender Liam Scales was on hand to ensure that Russell Martin’s men could not turn their pressure into meaningful chances.
The Ireland man was one of the better performers in an otherwise dull affair at Ibrox on Sunday.
Kasper Schmeichel
Similarly to Scales, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was assertive in the Celtic box to ensure that they maintained their clean sheet.
While Russell Martin’s men did not muster a shot on target, the former Leicester City keeper did well to ensure that the Gers did not threaten from set pieces.
Marcelo Saracchi
Rodgers’ new recruit was given a baptism of fire by making his Celtic debut off the bench in an Old Firm Derby clash with Rangers.
However, the fullback, who replaced the experienced Kieran Tierney, appeared confident both in and out of possession.
Celtic losers v Rangers
Michel-Ange Balikwisha
Michel-Ange Balikwisha offered very little on his Bhoys debut, struggling to cause problems for Rangers right-back James Tavernier.
Rodgers must hope that the winger provides significantly more quality than he showed at Ibrox on Sunday in his next Scottish Premiership outing.
Arne Engels
The usually reliable Arne Engels was largely responsible for the fact that Celtic could not win the midfield battle in the first half against Rangers.
Engels notched a strong return of 10 goals and 13 assists in his first season with Rodgers’ men last term.
However, his exploits against Martin’s side on 31 August shows that he faces an uphill battle to reach those numbers this time around.
Daizen Maeda
The build-up to Celtic’s visit to Ibrox was largely dominated by the fact that striker Adam Idah is close to joining Swansea City.
Amid the former Norwich City man’s absence, Daizen Maeda led the line for Rodgers’ men against their fierce rivals.
However, the 27-year-old proved easy for the Rangers backline to deal with on an afternoon when Celtic lacked attacking threat.
With the transfer deadline looming, it could lead the Bhoys to step up their striker search as they look to add crucial firepower to the side.