Fashion Sakala admits Rangers had to be reminded of their key character traits at half-time as they fought back for a Parkhead point.
But the Zambian also knows there’s no overlooking the fact his side have fallen short of the standards required to reclaim their Premiership crown.
The Ibrox side were well on top during the first quarter hour at Celtic Park but failed to make the most of their bright start as Ryan Kent squandered a huge chance 12 minutes in.
From that let-off, the Hoops showed their bitter rivals how it should be done as Jota fired home from a copy-cat opening to give Ange Postecoglou’s champions-elect the interval advantage.
But Rangers dug deep at half-time to find an improved second-half display which allowed them to draw level through Sakala’s goal with 22 minutes left.
Gers have proved their grit and desire plenty times this season on their way to the Europe League’s last four but Sakala admits it was only once Gio van Bronckhorst got his players back into the sanctuary of their dressing room at the break that they remembered the key to this season’s success.
The former KV Oostende frontman said: “We knew how important the game was for us. It’s always difficult to come and play here but I think we gave it everything.
“We tried, especially in the second half, and gave more than 100 per cent to come back.
“The character we’ve shown this season was very important and at half-time we talked about it.
“We had a very good conversation that we should come back in the second half.
“It’s just unlucky with some of the chances we had but I think we tried our best.”
Sakala's claim was denied for last month’s Scottish Cup semi-final win Hampden winner, which went down as a Carl Starfelt OG.
But there was no denying him the credit for his stunning leveller this time as he drove past Joe Hart at the keeper’s near post with his left foot.
He tried to repeat the trick at the opposite side after bursting clear on goal with just three minutes left but watched with agony as his effort cannoned back off the woodwork.
It was a matter of millimetres but even had it gone in it may not have been enough come May to bridge a gap between the teams that was once six points in favour of Gers but now has swung in the other direction by the same value.
Sakala said of his first derby strike: “It was special, it was a very special goal and very important for the team.
“But I think I could have done better for the other chances I had.
“But I can say I tried my best.
“The most important thing for us was the three points, that’s what we were looking for.
“We didn’t come for a draw, the only think we wanted was the win.
“It’s unfortunate but I think we gave everything for the draw. The best result for us though would have been a win.”
Jota was allowed to slot home 21 minutes in after Borna Barisic was caught ball watching from Daizen Maeda’s cross.
It was a repeat of the Croatian’s howler that handed Liel Abada a tap-in back in February.
But the left-back reckons the Light Blues deserve praise for putting on a strong finish as for the second time in two derby clashes the Ibrox side finished the stronger despite their gruelling European exertions.
Asked if there was mixed emotions in the dressing room after the match, Barisic said: “Yes absolutely, especially after our good reaction in the second half.
“I think we played much better and created a couple of very good chances which we didn’t score.
“Unfortunately in the first half we conceded that goal.
“At the end it was 1-1 and yes we are very disappointed.
“Yes, I agree with you (that Rangers looked fitter at the end) but we needed the three points. This was a chance to connect with them in the league table.
“But we didn’t do that and we’re disappointed.
“Everyone put in a huge effort in the second half, we gave everything but at the end 1-1 was not enough.”
The league title is all but out of reach but Gers are still very much in the fight for a Europa League final slot.
And Barisic vowed his team will respond to what is guaranteed to be another epic Ibrox atmosphere as they look to overturn RB Leipzig’s 1-0 first-leg advantage.
“Listen, this is now our biggest game of the season on Thursday,” he declared.
“We know what we need to do, we know how they play. We know how they played in Germany will be different at Ibrox.
“We can’t wait for that game to show energy, to show desire, to try to qualify for the final.
“We know the fans will help our performance for sure.
“It’s on us now to perform on Thursday. They will be behind us like always. I expect a very, very good atmosphere and we’ll see what happens.
“But we’ll give everything to win the game.”
