Brendan Rodgers is accustomed to having his way in the Old Firm, but Rangers have now handed the Parkhead manager two consecutive defeats.
Rangers put in a fantastic first-half performance at Parkhead, leading 2-0 at the break in the latest Old Firm game.
But with Celtic battling back in the second half, Brendan Rodgers might have expected his team to win the game when Hamza Igamane scored a sensational winner.
As Rodgers was forced to make substitutions, Neil Lennon praised Rangers’ first-half performance as ‘excellent’.
Speaking at full time, Rodgers singled out two Rangers players for praise, as the Celtic manager and his team are allowed two weeks to digest the outcome.
Brendan Rodgers lauded Nicolas Raskin.
Prior to the match, Nicolas Raskin had beaten Celtic midfielder Arne Engels to a spot in the Belgium international team squad.
Nicolas Raskin has been a standout for Rangers this season, particularly in the Europa League, and the former Standard star played a significant role in the Old Firm victory at Parkhead.
The 24-year-old began the game strongly, stinging Kasper Schmeical’s gloves with a stunning left-foot shot before opening the scoring from the resulting corner.
Raskin’s header, which dipped in front of Jeffrey Schlupp and went into the far corner, established the groundwork for Rangers’ stunning triumph.
Brendan Rodgers praised the Rangers midfielder after the game, with Raskin’s underlying numbers at Celtic Park showcasing his superb performance.
James Tavernier was also forced to apologize when a Rangers teammate used colorful language to laud Raskin in a post-game interview.
“The first one is in a static position,” Rodgers explained.
“The young Raskin works well in corners for someone who is not a center-back.
“He’s very quick across the ground and gets in front of (Jeffrey Schlupp) and scores.”
Celtic manager hailed ‘brilliant’ Jack Butland
Brendan Rodgers also reserved special praise for ‘brilliant’ Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland come full-time.
Whilst Butland’s kicking left a lot to be desired at times inside Celtic Park, the Rangers stopper was on hand to thwart the Parkhead side on a couple of occasions.
This includes a stunning save from Japanese midfielder Reo Hatate with the score at 1-0.
Incredibly, it was also the Rangers goalkeeper’s kick out that directly led to Hamza Igamane’s winner.
This is the first assist of the ex-Stoke City, Crystal Palace and England goalkeeper’s career.
At full time, Rodgers paid respect to Butland and admitted Celtic’s defeat at Parkhead was unavoidable.
“The second one we make the mistake and the third one as well, we should deal with that better,” he remarked.
“Give credit to Jack Butland; he’s made some fantastic saves. We created opportunities, but it wasn’t meant to be.”
