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Glasgow Rangers of Scotland trio, Leon Aderemi Balogun, Calvin Bassey Ughelumba and Joe Aribo were all in action for their Scottish Premiership side, but they failed to save The Gers from losing their Old Firm derby against Celtic, megasportsarena.com reports.
In contrast with high expectations that the return of Balogun from injury and Aribo’s recovery from the shock of failing to take Nigeria far after the Africa Cup of Nations would boost The Gers, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side fell flat on the night.
Aribo, Bassey and Balogun cut sorry figures, as Celtic blew Rangers away in the second Old Firm clash of the season to seal a 3-0 win and move top of the Scottish Premiership as the title race took another twist.
The hosts started brightly and almost took the lead after three minutes when the ball fell to Greg Taylor in the box but the defender’s shot was cleared.
However, minutes later Reo Hatate put Celtic in front as he switched the ball from his left to right foot on the edge of the box then rifled a shot into the net, as he fired home from the edge of the area after just five minutes.
Allan McGregor was forced into a number of saves before Hatate doubled the lead three minutes before half-time with a curling effort after a fine Celtic move, and Liel Abada added a third before half-time (44) from close range.
Rangers struggled to get a foothold in the game and an unbelievable double save by goalkeeper Allan McGregor in the 15th minute prevented both Jota and Giorgos Giakoumakis adding to Celtic’s lead.
The Ibrox No 1 showed his quality again soon after as he stretched to turn the ball away as Giakoumakis came close to firing Liel Abada’s cross in.
Ryan Jack hit the crossbar in the second half for Rangers but van Bronckhorst’s first Old Firm game as a manager ended in a heavy defeat.
Consequently, the result means Celtic are one point above Rangers and top the Scottish Premiership for the first time since August.
Aribo got full duration action under his boots, same as Bassey, who got a 52nd minute yellow card, while Balogun was also booked in the 72nd minute after making his entry into the game off The Gers’ bench in the 45th.
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