Balikwisha poor on debut as defender shines - Celtic player ratings vs Rangers
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Credit: Imago, Celtic FC on YouTube
Edward Bazeley
Sun 31 August 2025 14:02, UK
Celtic were held to a 0-0 draw by Rangers in the first Old Firm Derby of the new Scottish Premiership campaign.
Brendan Rodgers’ men headed to Ibrox on Sunday, 31 August, knowing they could widen the gap between themselves and fierce rivals Rangers.
Celtic were also determined to bounce back from their Champions League qualifier defeat to Kairat Almaty on Tuesday, 26 August.
However, it was Russell Martin’s struggling Light Blues who looked more threatening in a first-half that finished 0-0, after Rangers defender John Souttar saw his headed goal ruled out for offside.
Meanwhile, Celtic had to deal with the absence of Swansea-bound striker Adam Idah, who is closing in on his move to South Wales.
The encounter finished 0-0, with neither team able to break the deadlock in the closing 45 minutes at Ibrox.
Credit: Imago
Kasper Schmeichel – 6
The goalkeeper enjoyed a largely solid afternoon at Ibrox, dealing with Rangers‘ crosses well.
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Anthony Ralston – 6
Anthony Ralston performed well to ensure that Rangers summer signing Mikey Moore did not cause him many problems.
Cameron Carter-Vickers – 6
The centre-back played his role in Rodgers’ solid backline who offered their opponents very few opportunities to score.
Liam Scales – 7
The Ireland international provided vital defensive interventions as Martin’s men failed to make their spells of pressure count.
Kieran Tierney – 6
Kieran Tierney’s presence meant that Djeidi Gassama failed to threaten on the wing, but he didn’t offer the attacking sparkle Rodgers knows he can.
Reo Hatate – 5
A largely disappointing afternoon for the 27-year-old, who could not display his usual class for Rodgers’ side.
Callum McGregor – 6
Callum McGregor did not do enough to help the Bhoys regularly threaten in the first Old Firm Derby of the Scottish Premiership campaign.
Arne Engels – 4
Arne Engels offered very little as Celtic could not win the midfield battle before he was substituted off in the 65th minute.
Benjamin Nygren – 5
The winger could not show the attacking prowess that his 16 goals for his former club Nordsjaelland last term, and his previous Celtic showings suggests he has.
Daizen Maeda – 4
Daizen Maeda left a lot to be desired if he is to be the man to replace the outgoing Idah as Rodgers’ main striker.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha – 4
Similarly to Engels, the left-winger struggled to show quality on his Bhoys debut, and was deservedly hooked in favour of James Forrest.
Credit: Imago
James Forrest (for Balikwisha, 65) – 5
The Celtic fan favourite could not influence the game enough after replacing Balikwisha.
Shin Yamada (for Engels, 65) – 5
Similarly to Forrest, Shin Yamada could not do enough to turn a stalemate into a win for Rodgers’ outfit.
Marcelo Sarrachi (for Tierney, 72) – 6
The fullback was handed the tough task of making his Celtic debut in an Old Firm Derby, but looked largely comfortable.
Luke McCowan (for Hatate, 88)