Steven Gerrard threw his Ibrox flops under a bus after losing to Celtic- with the exception of his old Liverpool team-mate Jon Flanagan.
After winning both of last season’s home derby matches the stage was set for Gerrard’s side to make a decisive derby day statement by going three points clear of Celtic going into the international break.
When the team news broke it looked like there would only be one winner with Celtic fielding three derby day debutants in defence in front of Fraser Forster, the third Celtic keeper in four SPFL matches.
Celtic dominated from the first whistle, took the game to their hosts and deservedly went in front through Odsonne Edouard in the first half.
Gerrard had nothing in his know-how or on the bench to change the match but as ever it was down to the players after a defeat that sent their fans into the depths of despair.
“I think there’s one person who can walk out the dressing room with his head held high and that’s Jon Flanagan,” the rookie Ibrox boss told The Sun. “To win these games you’ve got to win more one v ones than the opposition. I don’t think Celtic outplayed us today they were just effective in their game-plan.
“They pressed us hard, we couldn’t handle their direct play which is unusual for us because normally my centre-backs are trusted when it comes in direct. So it’s a tough one to take but I know why we haven’t won the game – it’s because across the board we weren’t good enough.”
With no interest in any of his stars Gerrard will have to get by until January with the players that froze against the eight-in-a-row champions.
By the time Johnny Hayes knocked in Celtic’s second goal less than 10,000 fans remained inside Ibrox.
