Rangers Fan View: Gers must build on derby performance

It was a game that Rangers went into with no chance of winning, according to everyone, including myself.

But it’s one that we will look back on and rue the fact that we missed so many chances to come away from the match with three points. I had a go at players after the Kilmarnock defeat and it was very much warranted, but I am proud of their efforts in this match, especially on the back of that Kilmarnock performance.

It was a real performance of fight and commitment. But we set the tone pressing high and it unsettled them at the back. It’s something that I have been wanting this Rangers side to do regularly and the opening 15 minutes showed why – Candeias was at the forefront of the high press backed up by Morelos and Windass.

READ MORE: Celtic 0 Rangers 0: Honours even in hard-fought Old Firm derby

READ MORE: Manchester United’s season is suddenly tumbling downhill

However, we had Wes Foderingham to thank in the first half for keeping the scoreline level; he pulled off three very good saves, once again proving how important he is to the team. But had it easy in the second half. He could have done few laps around the park to keep himself occupied, as he had absolutely nothing to do. I am guessing Brighton will be moving the decimal point in their apparent bid for Mr Dembele – on this performance he played more like a £1.8m striker than one in the £18m bracket.

The second half performance was one that deserved all three points. In my opinion, we were excellent. We stopped them playing. We pressed well and were aggressive, so much so our back two of Wilson and Bates strolled it.

READ MORE: Kevin De Bruyne injured, stretchered off, leg in air cast after horrid tackle

READ MORE: ‘We have a great relationship’ – Cavani plays down talk of Neymar rift

But I felt the catalyst for the dominant half was James Tavernier. He was involved in absolutely everything going forward on our right-hand side along with Daniel Candeias. They terrorised Kieran Tierney, who struggled to cope with their link-up play and particularly Tavernier’s powerful gallops beyond him.

Tavernier was severely unlucky not to have two assists and a goal to his name at the final whistle. He was denied by Gordon and sent in two perfect crosses that Alfredo Morelos could not put away. I feel it was his best display in a Rangers shirt. He has to maintain that level of performance going forward.

READ MORE: Inzaghi: VAR has cost Lazio seven points

Additionally, I must give honourable mentions to Alfredo Morelos and Ross McCrorie. Morelos missed two good chances, but he had Celtic’s back two on toast. It’s just a pity he couldn’t have hit the back of the net. Ross McCrorie was excellent and is becoming a real fans’ favourite. For someone so young, he played the game and not the occasion, and make sure his man, Callum McGregor was largely ineffective.

It’s not only Tavernier that has to maintain that level of performance, though. The whole team have to build on this performance and take it into the second half of the season. That’s the most frustrating thing about this side: they can go away and take 10 points from 12 away to the better sides in this league and then lose at home to the likes of Hamilton and St Johnstone.

If only we had shown some sort of consistency, we would be in a title race, and even more so if we had got the three points from Parkhead we may still have been in with an outside chance of a late charge, but as it is, we aren’t and if I had to sum up the game in one word from my point of view, it would be: frustrating.

However, we can take heart from the second half performance, especially. We shall see what the second half of the season brings after the winter break. Hopefully some consistency and that level of performance against the weaker teams in the league, especially at Ibrox.