McAllister: Rangers found their level again in win over Celtic

Gary McAllister believes Rangers players reached the standard of play the club demands from them, as they beat Celtic in the first derby of the season.

Filip Helander scored the only goal of the game, rising to head in from a corner in the second half, securing three points but also taking bragging rights for his side.

Both sides had chances in an entertaining, well-fought match but Rangers had the edge when it mattered and assistant manager McAllister believed that they had found the levels that brought success last season, after fluctuation form in recent weeks.

“It was more like us, I thought,” he said. “Rangers were more recognisable today.

“I thought out of possession we were excellent, and in possession we looked dangerous, a threat.

“The players can go away for international break now and think ‘ Do you know what? That’s the standards and levels that we’re looking for here at this club.”

Rangers were missing key players through Covid-19 issues, and manager Steven Gerrard wasn’t at Ibrox as he continued to self-isolate, making the victory sweeter for the hosts.

McAllister said: “You know as well as I do that we’ve had a real tough four or five days.

“Loads of stuff happening around the club, around the players, around the staff.”But you saw a coming together of a football club, a big football club.

“Right from the very top, the chairman, to the people who help us at the training ground and I’ve got to say, the fans were pretty special as well.

“It always sounds like excuses but at no point has the manager been able to select from a whole squad. We’ve had loads of issues and you’re well aware of it. People suspended, European bans, but everything is now starting to blend back together and people will be available.

“People can go away now, look at that game, watch it back and see that out of possession and in possession, that’s the level. That’s what we go into games trying to achieve.”