Rangers paid the price for a disjointed performance at Hampden as Celtic set up a June final date with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Michael Beale was hoping for his first derby win at Rangers boss but it was ultimately Jota's first-half header that proved the winner. Daizen Maeda caught James Tavernier napping to pick out the Portuguese star at the back post, who made no mistake and inflicted another blow the Hoops' bitter rivals and sent them within one game, realistically, of another domestic Treble.
Connor Goldson was back for Rangers but the captain without the armband failed to inspire a performance out of his teammates while an underwhelming Ryan Kent display saw him hooked at half-time. Malik Tillman was also forced off in a first half that could prove costly for Rangers' season in more ways than one. Here is how Record Sport rated the Rangers players.
Rangers player ratings
ALLAN McGREGOR: Gers’ veteran keeper made a couple of solid stops to keep Celtic at bay but was left horribly exposed by his team-mates catastrophic complacency in the lead up to Jota’s winner. 6
JAMES TAVERNIER: Sleeping at the back post as Jota pounced. So close to making amends as he smashed against the post. 6
CONNOR GOLDSON: Provided boss Beale with a pre-match boost as he returned from injury. Did his bit with some vital headers and well-timed interceptions before being let down by those around him. 6
BEN DAVIES: Given the nod over John Souttar. Has looked a nervous wreck since his Parkhead howler but in fairness he kept a close eye on Kyogo with a steady showing. 6
BORNA BARISIC: Said he’d do his talking on the pitch but instead his failure to react at Celtic’s winner left Gers ears ringing with the sound of jubilant Celtic celebrations. 5
NICOLAS RASKIN: Rangers fans were delighted to see the young Belgian start after prematch injury rumours. Might wish he’d have missed out now after failure to play to whistle handed Celtic victory. 5
JOHN LUNDSTRAM: Looked like he was trying to late down a marker with an early reducer on Kyogo but he was another who failed to lay a glove on the Parkhead Treble-chasers at Jota’s strike. 5
TODD CANTWELL: Few nice moments on the ball but Rangers need more than tricks and flicks in these games if they are to overturn Glasgow’s balance of power. 6
MALIK TILLMAN: Another derby day where the US international didn’t do much to convince the sceptics he’s worth the £5million Bayern Munich are after to sanction a permanent move. Forced off before the break after injuring himself challenging Taylor. 4
RYAN KENT: No-where near fit after his recent lay-off. Spent the 45 minutes he was on being bounced around by Alistair Johnston. Hooked at half-time after bizarrely running in wrong direction as Celtic pounced. 4
ALFREDO MORELOS: Cheered off by the jubilant Celtic faithful after yet another derby defeat for the striker. Hold up play was decent in fairness but Rangers need so much more from their men up top. 5
Substitutes
SCOTT ARFIELD (for Tillman, 36): First to test Hart with 25-yard drive. 4
FASHION SAKALA (for Kent , 46): Horror repeat of his Viaplay sitter as he shinned wide of an open goal. 2
RABBI MATONDO (for Raskin, 75): Got in a couple of decent positions but lacked a quality delivery. 2
RIDVAN YILMAZ (for Barisic, 75): Have to wonder why Turk hasn’t started more often. Gives Gers a different dimension to Barisic. 2
IANIS HAGI (for Morelos, 83): On late as Gers chased in desperation. 1
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