Rangers 0-0 Celtic

The opening Old Firm ended in a dismal goalless draw as Rangers and Celtic returned to league action.

Russell Martin made five changes from their bruising Club Brugge defeat, including a first start for new striker Bojan Miovski, formerly of Aberdeen. Brendan Rodgers also included a new signing in his starting team. Michel-Ange Balikwisha started in a front three beside Benjamin Nygren and Daizen Maeda, after arriving from Royal Antwerp on Thursday.

In a frantic start, Rangers looked to wrestle control in a sizzling Ibrox atmosphere. Despite several corner kicks and long throws in the opening exchanges, they could not trouble Kasper Schmeichel in goal.

Shortly after, the home support’s penalty protests were waved off by Don Robertson, despite a collision between Miovski and Liam Scales in the box.

The home side looked far more structured after their abysmal visit to Belgium. Connor Barron started all four derbies last season and looked an assured presence in midfield.

Celtic’s attack was ineffective in the first half. They failed to trouble Jack Butland, with only crosses from Arne Engels and Anthony Ralston coming close to posing a threat

Rangers had the next opening after 28 minutes.- Barron lifted the ball forward to Tavernier, but his stabbed cross was put behind for a corner before reaching Miovski.

Rangers had the ball in the net four minutes later. John Souttar bravely met Tavernier’s free kick to head past Schmeichel. However, the home side’s celebration was cut short with the Scottish defender fractionally offside.

Despite the offside goal, Martin would have been pleased with the solidity of his team. There was a drive about Rangers; their physical nature disrupted Celtic and stopped Callum McGregor from dictating derby day.

Rangers looked to build on their encouraging first half. Mikey Moore blazed over for the first second-half chance. Gassama beat Tierney for pace soon after, but Scales blocked his flashed cross.

Celtic registered a shot on target at the hour mark. Hatate picked up the ball on the edge of the box but drove his strike straight at Butland to keep the score level.

Jack Butland gathered an acrobatic effort after a free kick after 66 minutes, before a double substitution for the away side. Engels and Balikwisha offered little threat and were withdrawn for Shin Yamada and James Forrest.

A mix-up in midfield between Gassama and Barron left Yamada through on goal, but Butland was quick to smother the Japanese forward.  As the match approached its conclusion, Celtic’s attack sharpened, and a tense atmosphere fell over Ibrox.

Neither side was able to force an opener as the game finished goalless. The result means it is four straight draws for Russell Martin’s Rangers. The draw leaves Celtic level on points with Hearts as the first international break beckons.

Rangers: Butland 7 Tavernier 7 Djida 6 Souttar 7 Meghoma 6 Barron 7 Diomande 6 Aasgaard 6 Gassama 6 Moore 6 Miovski 6

Substitutes: Antman 6 Dessers 6 Bajrami 5

Celtic: Schmeichel 6 Ralston 6 Carter-Vickers 6 Scales 6 Tierney 5 McGregor 6 Engels 5 Hatate 6 Nygren 5 Balikwisha 5 Maeda 5

Substitutes: Yamada 6 Forrest 6 Saracchi 6