Celtic Star Who Lost 60% of His Duels Among Team's Three Biggest Losers from Rangers Defeat

Celtic's 1-3 home defeat to Rangers in the Scottish Premiership Old Firm derby on January 3, 2026, at Celtic Park exposed key weaknesses, with three players standing out as the biggest underperformers. The match, played on Matchday 21, saw Rangers mount a stunning comeback after trailing at halftime, leapfrogging Celtic in the standings behind leaders Hearts.[1][2][3]

Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland was pivotal early on, keeping Celtic at bay despite the hosts dominating the first half and nearly leading 4-0. Celtic went ahead but crumbled post-interval, conceding three goals in a clinical Rangers response.[4]

Among Celtic's three biggest losers, a star player who lost 60% of his duels topped the disappointing list. Post-match analysis highlighted Tell Asgard (likely a reference to a key Celtic midfielder or defender like Gustaf Lagerbielke or similar), criticized for unreliability in big games. Pundits noted the manager's selection error in trusting him, as he struggled physically and failed to win crucial battles, contributing to Rangers' midfield dominance.[4]

The other two underperformers included players in defense and attack who faltered after the break. Rangers equalized before Mikey M (possibly Michael Moore or a stand-in for a scorer like Cyriel Dessers) drilled home the winner, sealing a 3-1 scoreline that delighted the away end.[4] Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy, in his tenure, faced fresh scrutiny despite prior wins like a 3-1 over Aberdeen; this loss dropped Celtic to 38 points, three behind Hearts and now trailing Rangers.[2][4]

Reaction podcasts praised Rangers' resilience: "It should have been 4-0 at halftime, but results matter in the Old Firm."[4] Celtic's duel-loss issues, especially the star's 60% failure rate, underscored tactical flaws in a match promising intensity but delivering Rangers' title-race boost.[3]

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