Tom Rogic ‘nullified’ by ‘dangerous’ Rangers tactics – Hutton
Celtic star Tom Rogic was “nullified” by Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s “dangerous” tactics against Rangers, according to Alan Hutton.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Gers defender and Rangers TV pundit praised the Dutchman’s “big call” to start Borna Barisic at left-back and Calvin Bassey at centre-back.
Bassey, 22, had started on the left-hand side when the Glasgow giants met at Ibrox earlier this month.
Playing at the heart of the defence on Sunday, the versatile defender was often seen stepping into midfield to disrupt and break up play.
Hutton admitted it was a “very brave” tactical decision that kept Rogic quiet until he was subbed off before the hour mark.
Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “I thought it was a big call from the manager, putting Barisic back in.
“Even though he had been playing well before, his confidence had been low, especially against Celtic. It was a big call.
“I thought the job that Bassey did was outstanding. He was coming out of the back-four into midfield to pick up Rogic and nullify him.
“Rangers were three for three at the back on occasions and it was very brave from the manager.
“Rogic has been outstanding in Old Firm games. Obviously, Van Bronckhorst came up with a game plan which was dangerous.
“If Rogic got away from Bassey, it was three-v-three. There were a couple of incidents, five or ten minutes in, where one went over Barisic and two went over Tavernier on the inside.
“I was thinking: ‘This could be a problem.’
“To be fair to Bassey, he stuck to it. He got ultra-tight, gave them no space ad nullified him for the whole game.”
In other news, Daizen Maeda among three Celtic stars slammed for display against Rangers.