Finally, Steven Gerrad can heave a sigh of relief at the return of Nigerian duo, Leon Balogun, and Joe Aribo after thier Injury Layoff which has kept the latter out for ten (10) matches including Nigeria’s doubleheader against Algeria and Tunisia.
Leon Balogun was invited for the doubleheader but had a knock in the clash with Tunisia.
Joe Aribo sees his return from injury marked with a victory against bitter rivals and Scottish Premiership record holder at their home around, coming off from the bench in a 0-2 encounter.
Steven Gerrard became the first Rangers manager to win back-to-back Old Firm league matches since Walter Smith in 2009 with a dominant display against Celtic.
A goal in each half from center-back Connor Goldson proved enough to move the Ibrox side four points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a game in hand.
Neil Lennon’s men were disrupted by Covid-19 and injury in the build-up to the first derby match of the season – and, remarkably, failed to produce an attempt on target at Parkhead.
Gerrard was left to savor a sweet victory as he aims to stop their fierce rivals from clinching ten titles in a row.
Celtic were without star striker Odsonne Edouard. The France Under-21 international tested positive for Covid-19 and only returned to Scotland on Friday after quarantine.
MATCH FACTS
Celtic: Barkas, Welsh (Turnbull 84), Duffy, Ajer, Frimpong, Brown, Ntcham (Rogic 67), McGregor, Laxalt (Taylor 84), Klimala (Griffiths 67), Elyounoussi (Ajeti 56)
Subs: Henderson, Soro, Ralston, Bain
Booked: Duffy, Brown
Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Helander, Barisic, Arfield (Aribo 90), Davis, Kamara, Barker (Jack 62), Morelos (Itten 86), Kent
Subs: Bassey, Defoe, Balogun, McLaughlin, Hagi, Jones
Goals: Goldson 9, 54
Booked: Arfield, Morelos
